The One Where I Talk About Books

Life Update and Review of Audrey, Wait!

In My Mailbox (64)

Since I am guessing IMM doesn't link up anymore, due to The Story Siren, no longer being an active blog (correct me if I'm wrong) I will now link to Stacking The Shelves. But for my OCD purposes, I will still be calling it In My Mailbox. 
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Divergent (#1)

Summary:

"In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her."

Final Quick Thoughts: Really Addictive writing... something I forgot to mention, that I didn't like was the Insta-Love.

In My Mailbox (62)

Library Divergent By Veronica Roth Legend By Marie Lu Meet Kirsten Molly Learns a Lesson I Hunt Killers By Barry Lyga The Daughters By Joanna Philbin Bought The Divergent Box Set by Veronica Roth

The Chapel Wars

Summary:

"Sixteen-year-old Holly wants to remember her Grandpa forever, but she’d rather forget what he left her in his will: his wedding chapel on the Las Vegas strip. Whatever happened to gold watches, savings bonds, or some normal inheritance? 
And then there's Grandpa's letter. Not only is Holly running the business with her recently divorced parents, but she needs to make some serious money—fast. Grandpa also insists Holly reach out to Dax, the grandson of her family's mortal enemy and owner of the cheesy chapel next door. No matter how cute Dax is, Holly needs to stay focused: on her group of guy friends, her disjointed family, work, school and... Dax. No wait, not Dax. 
Holly’s chapel represents everything she’s ever loved in her past. Dax might be everything she could ever love in the future. But as for right now, there's a wedding chapel to save."

Review: Also Known As By Robin Benway (#1)

Summary:

"Which is more dangerous: being an international spy... or surviving high school?
Maggie Silver has never minded her unusual life. Cracking safes for the world's premier spy organization and traveling the world with her insanely cool parents definitely beat high school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and frustratingly simple locker combinations. (If it's three digits, why bother locking it at all?)
But when Maggie and her parents are sent to New York City for her first solo assignment, her world is transformed. Suddenly, she's attending a private school with hundreds of "mean girl" wannabes, trying to avoid the temptation to hack the school's elementary security system, and working to befriend the aggravatingly cute son of a potential national security threat... all while trying not to blow her cover.
From the hilarious and poignant author of Audrey, Wait! comes a fast-paced caper that proves that even the world's greatest spies don't have a mission plan for love."

Quick Final Thoughts: Easy and fun read.

Rules of Summer (Rules of Summer, #1)

Summary:

"There are two sides to every summer.
When seventeen-year-old Rory McShane steps off the bus in East Hampton, it's as if she's entered another universe, one populated by impossibly beautiful people wearing pressed khakis and driving expensive cars. She's signed on to be a summer errand girl for the Rules -- a wealthy family with an enormous beachfront mansion. Upon arrival, she's warned by other staff members to avoid socializing with the family, but Rory soon learns that may be easier said than done.
Stifled by her friends and her family's country club scene, seventeen-year-old Isabel Rule, the youngest of the family, embarks on a breathless romance with a guy whom her parents would never approve of. It's the summer for taking chances, and Isabel is bringing Rory along for the ride. But will Rory's own summer romance jeopardize her friendship with Isabel? And, after long-hidden family secrets surface, will the Rules' picture-perfect world ever be the same?"

Quick Thoughts: Fun, easy summer read, with overall strong writing, but weak ending. Will definitely read the Since Last Summer.

Emerald Green (Red Ruby Trilogy,#3)

Summary:

"Gwen has a destiny to fulfill, but no one will tell her what it is. She’s only recently learned that she is the Ruby, the final member of the time-traveling Circle of Twelve, and since then nothing has been going right. She suspects the founder of the Circle, Count Saint-German, is up to something nefarious, but nobody will believe her. And she’s just learned that her charming time-traveling partner, Gideon, has probably been using her all along.This stunning conclusion picks up where Sapphire Blue left off, reaching new heights of intrigue and romance as Gwen finally uncovers the secrets of the time-traveling society and learns her fate."

Enter My Giveaway

The Last Little Blue Envelope (Little Blue Enevelope, #2)

Summary:

"Ginny Blackstone thought that the biggest adventure of her life was behind her. She spent last summer traveling around Europe, following the tasks her aunt Peg laid out in a series of letters before she died. When someone stole Ginny's backpack—and the last little blue envelope inside—she resigned herself to never knowing how it was supposed to end.
Months later, a mysterious boy contacts Ginny from London, saying he's found her bag. Finally, Ginny can finish what she started. But instead of ending her journey, the last letter starts a new adventure—one filled with old friends, new loves, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Ginny finds she must hold on to her wits . . . and her heart. This time, there are no instructions."

When The Last Little Blue Envelope came out I was quite stoked to read it and finally get an ending to Ginny's story and although, I am happy to get an ending. I am not necessarily  happy with the book.  I felt it dragged on and really just plateaued. I was constantly waiting for the story to pick up, for their to be a big turn around, a really exciting or dramatic moment and there wasn't.

I liked the book, I did and it was quick and witty, as any Maureen Johnson book should be. BUT as a sequel, they book just didn't cut it for me. I personally think, had Maureen Johnson just combined The Little Last Blue envelope with 13 Little Blue Envelopes and made it a two parter. I would have preferred it more. The momentum from Part 1 would be freshly with me to carry on the less dramatic Part 2. Since she did not do that, they momentum of the excitement for 13 Little Blue Envelopes was lost on me.  It was not a bad book, just not exactly what I wanted from the story. Curious, if anyone else felt this way too?

Diamonds & Deceit (At Somerton, #2)

Summary:

"One house, two worlds...book two in our sumptuous and enticing YA series about the servants and gentry at Somerton Court.
A house divided...
London is a whirl of balls and teas, alliances and rivalries. Rose has never felt more out of place. With the Season in full swing, she can't help but still feel a servant dressed up in diamonds and silk. Then Rose meets Alexander Ross, a young Scottish duke. Rose has heard the rumors about Ross's sordid past just like everyone else has. Yet he alone treats her as a friend. Rose knows better than to give her heart to an aristocrat with such a reputation, but it may be too late.
Ada should be happy. She is engaged to a handsome man who shares her political passions and has promised to support her education. So why does she feel hollow inside? Even if she hated Lord Fintan, she would have no choice but to go through with the marriage. Every day a new credit collector knocks on the door of their London flat, demanding payment for her cousin William's expenditures. Her father's heir seems determined to bring her family to ruin, and only a brilliant marriage can save Somerton Court and the Averleys' reputation.
Meanwhile, at Somerton, Sebastian is out of his mind with worry for his former valet Oliver, who refuses to plead innocent to the murder charges against him--for a death caused by Sebastian himself. Sebastian will do whatever he can to help the boy he loves, but his indiscretion is dangerous fodder for a reporter with sharp eyes and dishonorable intentions.
The colorful cast of the At Somerton series returns in this enthralling sequel about class and fortune, trust and betrayal, love and revenge."

        Diamonds & Deceit was everything I had hoped Cinders & Sapphires was going to be, it had the glitz and glamour, the intrigue and the drama. Even though it was entirely predictable and melodramatic, it was perfection. I honestly wasn't even interested in reading Diamonds & Deceit after how disappointed I was in Cinders & Sapphires but it made up for it in full. 

     The addition of Alexander Ross was exactly what I needed, he reminded me of Mr. Darcy a little and I was SO happy to see that there was less Sebastian. Although, I like him as a character I did not enjoy his storyline. The ending however is where the intrigue begins and I cannot wait to see what will happen! It was a giant cliffhanger and it is very reminiscent of Season 2 of Downton Abbey. In conclusion, if you were like me and were not wowed by Book 1... try out Diamonds & Deceit,  I could hardly put it down.  

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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

Just One Year ( Just One Day,#2)

Summary:

"Before you find out how their story ends, remember how it began....When he opens his eyes, Willem doesn’t know where in the world he is—Prague or Dubrovnik or back in Amsterdam. All he knows is that he is once again alone, and that he needs to find a girl named Lulu. They shared one magical day in Paris, and something about that day—that girl—makes Willem wonder if they aren’t fated to be together. He travels all over the world, from Mexico to India, hoping to reconnect with her. But as months go by and Lulu remains elusive, Willem starts to question if the hand of fate is as strong as he’d thought. . . .

The romantic, emotional companion to Just One Day, this is a story of the choices we make and the accidents that happen—and the happiness we can find when the two intersect."

Buy The Book

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Very similar to Where She Went, the second book AKA the follow up to  Just One Day is told through the eyes of Willem. We get to find out exactly WHY he left Lulu and his life after that year. Which was great because we actually get to know the mysterious Willem. Gayle Forman as usual, does a magnificent job tying the story lines together and making the book immersive in travel. Great plot and great way to end the book too.  

Curtsies & Conspiracies (The Finishing School, #2)

Summary:

"Does one need four fully grown foxgloves for decorating a dinner table for six guests? Or is it six foxgloves to kill four fully grown guests?
Sophronia's first year at Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality has certainly been rousing! For one thing, finishing school is training her to be a spy (won't Mumsy be surprised?). Furthermore, Sophronia got mixed up in an intrigue over a stolen device and had a cheese pie thrown at her in a most horrid display of poor manners.
Now, as she sneaks around the dirigible school, eavesdropping on the teachers' quarters and making clandestine climbs to the ship's boiler room, she learns that there may be more to a school trip to London than is apparent at first. A conspiracy is afoot--one with dire implications for both supernaturals and humans. Sophronia must rely on her training to discover who is behind the dangerous plot-and survive the London Season with a full dance card.
In this sequel to bestselling author Gail Carriger's YA debut Etiquette & Espionage, class is back in session with more petticoats and poison, tea trays and treason. Gail's distinctive voice, signature humor, and lush steampunk setting are sure to be the height of fashion this season."

Buy The Book 

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Carriger's story for Curtsies & Conspiracies was great, because I got to immerse myself in that world and I got to know it a lot better and understand it, the way I had wanted to in Book 1. Here we see Sophronia expand her spying horizons and also really begin to understand the world she has herself has entered. That it isn't just for fun, that it is life and death and that there are complicated matters at hand and she starts to begin to question if this is what she really wants. 

Can we PLEASE just talk about Lord Mersey?! Because I love him. He is the perfectly safe bad boy or so he appears to be and the chemistry between him and Sophronia is sizzling hot.

Also, WHY wasn't there more Captain Niall?! Although, Lord Mersey is more age appropriate for Sophronia, I still ship them together and find him absolutely delectable. Which is why I beg the question.. why wasn't he in the book more?!

I acknowledged Sophronia's growing up in the plot summary, or coming to terms with growing up. However, I enjoyed seeing the other girls grow-up too, We get a better sense of themselves in this book and how their lives may play out for them.

Then there is Soap. The cheeky sootie, who is also being added into the love mix for Sophronia. I am not buying it or liking it one single bit. I do believe their is more to his story and I cannot find to see what it is.. but I am just not buying that coupling.

Oh and Bumbersnoot, my favorite character who isn't a character at all. Really, I adore him.

Really impressed. I liked Etiquette & Espionage, but Curtsies & Conspiracies was really going to determine whether or not I would continue with the series or not and Carriger delivered! I would say 95% of the book is full throttle awesome-ness. We really get a feel for life at the school, as well as the world they are in. I loved the mystery & romance of the plot. The only thing that irked me, is something Carriger did in her writing previously and something, that in general bothers me in writing a story. That is right, the quick wrap up. When you are absorbed in the book and its story and there are a lot of answers to be well, answered... BUT there are only 10 pages left! So, in a quick manner almost everything is answered in those 10 pages and on to the next. Leaving your head spinning and a tad disappointed. So, that is something I wish didn't happen.. but really when I finished Curtsies & Conspiracies, I wanted Book 3 in my hand IMMEDIATELY. 

The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy

Summary:

"Witty, sarcastic Ethan and his three friends decide to take down the reality TV show, For Art's Sake, that is being filmed at their high school, the esteemed Selwyn Arts Academy, where each student is more talented than the next. While studying Ezra Pound in English class, the friends are inspired to write a vigilante long poem and distribute it to the student body, detailing the evils of For Art's Sake. But then Luke—the creative force behind the poem and leader of the anti-show movement—becomes a contestant on the nefarious show. It's up to Ethan, his two remaining best friends, and a heroic gerbil named Baconnaise to save their school. Along the way, they'll discover a web of secrets and corruption involving the principal, vice principal, and even their favorite teacher."

Pre-order the Book

Comes out April 8th,2014

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The coolest thing about this book is the name,the summary and Baconnaise. Now, I'm not saying it was a bad book... its just that the plot was boring. Which sucks because I think it had plenty of basis to be a an exciting.fun and edgy book. First off, there wasn't really any Vigilante Poets society. They formed a group that lasted basically like 2 pages and then PLOT TWIST <-- a="" and="" bland.="" fell="" felt="" for="" great="" in="" is="" it="" just="" myself="" nbsp="" of="" outline="" p="" plot="" quite="" short="" story="" summary.="" the="" there="" was="" which="">

To add to the bland plot the characters were pretty bland. We only knew them on the surface and never really got into what made them tick. I knew more about the characters they were investigating then themselves and although, I liked Ethan has a narrator and he seems to be a sweet boy. He is rather odd and lacking a sense of self. He felt self deprecating and it got old.  I would have rather had Elizabeth and Jackson tell the story, since they seemed more Vigilante like.

My feelings were middle of the road with The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Acadmy. It just could of been better in my opinion. However, I don't feel like it was a waste of time to read and in a lot of ways the writing style reminded me of John Green. So I see potential to want to read more books from this author. 

In My Mailbox #55

Hosted By The Story Siren Other Similar Posts...Stacking the Shelves From The Library Just One Day By Gayle Forman Just One Year By Gayle Forman United We Spy By Ally Carter Far Far Away by Tom McNeal Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger