The Lost Book Reports: February 2014

Friday, February 28, 2014

& The Ultimate Book Crush Is..

Through out this Showdown one Bookish Crush has continually crushed his opponents and gotten the highest votes in every round. So, it is really no surprise that he would win the First Annual Ultimate Book Crush!

Ladies and Gents, I present to you.. Our winner...

The Darkling

The Darkling has been making our panties drop since 2012 in Shadow and Bone. Continue to do so in Siege and Fire and well, I imagine he will also in Ruin and Rising. He is a dark and mysterious man and although, truly evil and scary. We all find him sexy and mysterious.

Let me know why YOU love The Darkling.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

The Summer I Found You

Summary:

"All they have in common is that they're less than perfect. And all they're looking for is the perfect distraction.
Kate's dream boyfriend has just broken up with her and she's still reeling from her diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Aidan planned on being a lifer in the army and went to Afghanistan straight out of high school. Now he's a disabled young veteran struggling to embrace his new life. When Kate and Aidan find each other neither one wants to get attached. But could they be right for each other after all?"

Pub. Date March 1st

The plot is really the typical boys meets girl, girl meets boy. They start liking each other.. one has a secret, keeps the secret till it blows up in their face and you can see where this is going. There isn't any real surprises in the plot, minus the added factor of a missing limb and diabetes.

Kate is a little of a mess. However, I get it. When you are at the age between still being a kid and going to be adult. You want the freedom of an adult but the safety of a kid and sometimes the best way she knows how to deal with that is denial. Then there is Aidan. Older and wiser but a little broken.. you know he just lost the job he wanted to do as a career, oh and his arm. So, he has small issues but he isn't damaged goods, he still has a lot to offer.

Every other character is really quite pointless to the story, they just kind of move it a long, but they aren't memorable to how the story evolves.

I read an uncorrected copy of the book, so I really hope all extra grammar and spelling errors will be fixed by final production of the book. The Summer I Found you is by no means a great book and is just not quite there. It does have a lot of potential though and Jolene Perry has a lot of potential as an author and writer. Despite all that though, I still found myself addicted to the story. I wanted to read more and see where Kate and Aidan's relationship went. Even though, it was predictable. The book is a very quick read and I would recommend it as a book you read while you are in between doing things. Waiting in line at the grocery, sitting alone at the diner, lounging around by the pool. It is that kind of book, addicting but not great. Almost like 50 Shades of Gray. (with less S&M and sex) That was a weird comparison, but hopefully you understand what I mean.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

The Ultimate Book Crush - Final Round

You have narrowed The First Annual Ultimate Book Crush has been narrowed down to the Top 2! We have The Darkling & Mr. Darcy! Definitely, two very different book crushes! Voting will end Feb. 27th with the winner announced on the 28th.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Wicked & Killer (Pretty Little Liars, #5 & #6)

Summary:

"In idyllic Rosewood, Pennsylvania, four very pretty girls just can't help but be bad. . . .
Hanna will do anything to be Rosewood's queen bee. Spencer's digging up her family's secrets. Emily can't stop thinking about her new boyfriend. And Aria approves a little too strongly of her mom's taste in men.
Now that Ali's killer is finally behind bars, the girls think they're safe. But those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it. And they should know by now that I'm always watching. . . ."

Summary:

"In picture-perfect Rosewood, Pennsylvania, ash-blond highlights gleam in the winter sun and frozen lakes sparkle like Swarovski crystals. But pictures often lie— and so do Rosewood's four prettiest girls. Hanna, Aria, Spencer, and Emily have been lying ever since they became friends with beautiful Alison DiLaurentis. Ali made them do terrible things—things they had to keep secret for years. And even though Ali was killed at the end of seventh grade, their bad-girl ways didn't die with her. Hanna's on a mission to corrupt Rosewood's youth, starting with a very attractive sophomore. Aria's snooping into her boyfriend's past. Spencer's stealing— from her family. And pure little Emily's abstaining from abstinence. The girls should be careful, though. They thought they were safe when Ali's killer was arrested and A's true identity was finally revealed. But now there's a new A in town turning up the heat. And this time Rosewood is going to burn."

I have to start off by saying that I started reading these books WAY back in high school and I LOVED them, they really creeped me out. The series was originally only going to be 4 books and it wasn't until a few years after I finished the series, that I found out it ended up continuing. However, my library never newest books in the series in, so I never really read them and the show came out and I began watching that. I love the show, but was curious to see what aspects were stilling following the books and what were not. So, when my local library finally got the new books in I instantly picked the next two books in the series and read them back to back. Getting back into book Rosewood was a bigger transition than I expected. I had to remember things that had happened in the book that I forgot and that the book girls, are SO different from the TV girls. Which when watching the show, when it first came out, totally annoyed me. Now, I imagine the actresses as the characters even though, they are pretty different.

With that being said, going back into book Rosewood was nice. Wicked is mainly just a refresher and transitional book. Meaning, we spend a lot of the book being reminded about what happened in Unbelievable. I needed that because I had forgotten so much. Then there were the very mini minor subplots that were really just getting us set up for all the new drama to come in the rest of the series. As for the creepy factor though, Wicked didn't deliver the same was as the first four books in the series did.

Killer, gets better. A is back and the creepy factor starts to come back, although never quite hits the mark. The story really goes back to alternating views and we really see the girls as their characters again. I start to remember all the things I enjoyed and envied about them previously and also, the habits they have that really drive me crazy. Like Spencer's horrendous family & Hanna's aggravating family. The poshness. Everything. It comes back in this book and I liked it.

Overall, I am glad I am back into the series and although, I don't think these books are as good as the original four; I cannot wait to continue reading them. It is also really interesting to see the stuff, I know has happened SO long ago in the show and events that are just being brought into the TV Show.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday: Reasons I Love Being A Blogger

Ah! This topic is hard for me. Given I have been in such a book blogger funk as I wrote about earlier this month here. However, I can think of a least 10 reasons, I love being a blogger and why I am still a blogger.

1. People Think You Are Smarter

Anywhere you are, if you are reading a book will instantly think you are smarter.

2. Being a Part of a Community

Like I had said before this is something I am struggling with. However, I do know I am apart of this community and it is nice to know that people love books, just as much a you do. I mean it is tough being so smart! (ha ha)

3. Moments Like This.

When authors acknowledge your existence... because honestly, they can just ignore you on social media. They don't have to be nice.

4. & Moments Like This.

When other book bloggers acknowledge your existence.

*comments on the blog & youtube too, I just used twitter since it was convenient.

5. Learning about New Books.

I wouldn't read at least 75% of the books I do, if it wasn't for being a book blogger.

6. Meeting Authors

Yea. It rocks. If I wasn't a book blogger, I wouldn't read as much honestly and because of that I probably wouldn't care so much about Author meet & greets, but it is so much fun and such a great experience. Plus, I fangirl over authors like no other!

7. When People Ask for Book Recs.

Esp. family and friends or even if I am at Barnes and Noble or over hear someone talking about a book they are interested in and I have read it before. Being in the "know" and getting to tell someone they should read a book is pretty cool. Esp. when they like it.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

In My Mailbox (57)

Bought

Paper Towns By John Green

Code Name Verity By Elizabeth Wein

E-Galley

Nantucket Red By Leila Howard

Don't Even Think About It By Sarah Mlynowski

The Tyrants Daughter By J.C. Carleson

The Summer I Found You By Jolene Perry

January Bride By Deborah Reiny

February Bride By Beverly St. Amant

March Bride By Rachel Hach

Won on GoodReads

One Equisite Night In Paris By Andre Phillip-Hautecoeur

Saturday, February 15, 2014

The Ultimate Book Crush - Round 3

The Top 4 are The Darkling, Adrian Ivashkov, Katniss Everdeen and Mr. Darcy. A mix of everything going on here! Who will make it to the Final 2?!

Thursday, February 13, 2014

United We Spy (Gallagher Girls, #6)

Summary:

"Cammie Morgan has lost her father and her memory, but in the heart-pounding conclusion to the best-selling Gallagher Girls series, she finds her greatest mission yet. Cammie and her friends finally know why the terrorist organization called the Circle of Cavan has been hunting her. Now the spy girls and Zach must track down the Circle’s elite members to stop them before they implement a master plan that will change Cammie—and her country—forever."

Ally Carter goes balls to the walls with the final book in the Gallagher Girls series. The only thing that may disappoint you is that the book wasn't longer and the series had to end! We see the girls having to essentially save the world and realizing that the life that they have been leaving and preparing for really is just months away and that they will constantly be preforming missions that will involve life and death and can they handle that reality? The girls really do grow up in front of our eyes. Relationships are made and changed forever. Enjoy and savor ever last moment.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Far Far Away

Summary:

"It says quite a lot about Jeremy Johnson Johnson that the strangest thing about him isn't even the fact his mother and father both had the same last name. Jeremy once admitted he's able to hear voices, and the townspeople of Never Better have treated him like an outsider since. After his mother left, his father became a recluse, and it's been up to Jeremy to support the family. But it hasn't been up to Jeremy alone. The truth is, Jeremy can hear voices. Or, specifically, one voice: the voice of the ghost of Jacob Grimm, one half of the infamous writing duo, The Brothers Grimm.
Jacob watches over Jeremy, protecting him from an unknown dark evil whispered about in the space between this world and the next. But when the provocative local girl Ginger Boultinghouse takes an interest in Jeremy (and his unique abilities), a grim chain of events is put into motion. And as anyone familiar with the Grimm Brothers know, not all fairy tales have happy endings....
Young adult veteran Tom McNeal (one half of the writing duo known as Laura & Tom McNeal) has crafted a novel at once warmhearted, compulsively listenable, and altogether thrilling - and McNeal fans of their tautly told stories will not be disappointed."

Far Far Away is literary beauty with such string writing. However, I believe the summary is misleading. I was hoping to get a magical adventure. Far Far Away is more of a mystery a story of warning. Which I guess is clever, since that is the point of the Grimm Fairy Tales. As mentioned the book isn't really a fantasy, since it takes places in modern times, but in a fictional town and with very tiny magical elements. Although, a slow story and slightly drawn out Far Far Away is an enjoyable read and one I would recommend. I believe it is a book that you need to be in the mood to sit down with your cup of tea, cuddle in a blanket sitting by the fire to read.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Will Make You Swoon

1. The Vampire Academy Series

by Richelle Mead

The swoon worthy factor of the first book is what made me immediately purchase the rest of the series!

2. Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Usually, Where She Went gets tied up together with If I Stay and although, If I Stay has swoon worthy moments. Where She Went is about Adams eternal love for Mia and something about that makes it swoony to me.

3. Shadow and Bone By Leigh Bardugo

You WILL fall in love with the Darkling and you know you shouldn't but you will. It is irresistible!!!

4. Twilight Series By Stephenie Meyer

A good percentage of you know exactly what I am talking about... because even when you are skeptical about the series, you end up getting caught up and reading them ALL...

5. Blue Bloods Series By Melissa De La Cruz

Forbidden love, bonded soul mates and essential love that lasts an eternity.

6. Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side By Beth Fantaskey

Ignore the Fact that most of these books involve Vampires, but really this book is SO good and the romance will definitely hook you in.

7. The Girl In The Steel Corset By Kady Cross

Finley, Jack Dandy and a Duke, DAYUM.

8. Anna and The French Kiss By Stephanie Perkins

Even though I prefer Lola and the Boy Next Door, nothing can beat finding love in Paris.

9. Very Valentine By Adriana Trigiani

New York and Italy. Oh that is love in a nutshell.

10. The Princess Diaries Series by Meg Cabot

Oh yes, this series grew on me and watching Mia grow up and explore relationships and find the right relationship makes it realistic and again.. swoon worthy.

Speaking of Books that Make you Swoon... Head over to My Ultimate Book Crush Showdown and vote for the Book Crushes that make you swoon... Click Here.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Vampire Academy Movie Review

The announcement of a Vampire Academy movie came shortly after I had finished and fallen madly in love with the series. The casting came choices came out and I was middle of the road when it came to my feelings but I was going solely on looks, I didn't know their acting abilities. I was even more excited when I sat in a crowded Barnes & Noble conference room and heard Richelle Mead give details on the progress, saying how she felt the casting was perfect and that she herself fan-girled over scenes and then the trailer came out. I distinctly remember watching it on my husbands birthday, while in the theater to watch Catching Fire. The trailer began and my husband leaned over and asked "have you read this book?" I looked at him and said "uh no?" In took me a second to realize that the trailer was for my beloved Vampire Academy and then I cringed. Being melodramatic.. my heart broke a little, because it seemed nothing like what I would have expected.
I went home a watched the trailer a few more times, still cringing. As the days grew closer and the hype started building up, the trailers playing more; I found myself NEEDING to go see the movie. So Thursday, night I begged my Mom to go with me (I knew my husband wouldn't pay $26 bucks to go see it) Finally, on Saturday she agreed to go with me. I told her how excited I was, that this movie wouldn't be her cup of tea and that I was worried that the movie wouldn't be that great... but it couldn't be too bad.
After reading countless reviews of how great the movie was, my confidence had gained and I went into the theater with an open mind. Unfortunately, all my worries were true. In fact, they were worse! I was hoping they saved all the cheesiness was the trailers, but the movie was awfully cheesy the whole way through and not in a we are trying to be cheesy ha-ha way. More like a.. we think this is funny kind of way.
Surprisingly the plot line was actually very accurate to the book, which rarely happens with book to movie adaptions and I can say that is a positive and probably the only positive to this book. I found the casting off too. Although, I did like Zoey as Rose, I felt her snarkiness was more for attention then for book Rose, who simple just is snarky. Dimitri was sexy but something wasn't right. His hair slightly too long, his accent too thick, he body to big. I don't know what it was but I wasn't swooning. I already was feeling Lucy as Vasilia in the trailers, so that performance didn't shock me. What did shock me was the lad who played Christian. In the trailers, I cringed, but his performance was definitely better than expected.
With all that being said. I can't recommend this movie. Save your money. I truly felt bad for my mom who looked miserable through out the movie and if it wasn't my love of the books, I would have gotten up and left the theater half way through. It really felt like torture. On the brightside, a young girl with her mom, said she wanted to read the book, I gave my two sense and told her it was a must read. To which her mom said... "okay lets go buy it tonight!"

Sunday, February 9, 2014

In My Mailbox #56

From The Library
Wicked By Sara Shepard Killer By Sara Shepard Audrey Wait! By Robin Benway In The Shadows of Blackbirds By Cat Winters Poison Apples By Lily Archer Clockwork Angel By Cassandra Clare The Last Blue Envelope By Maureen Johnson Black Heart By Holly Black