Hangs On A Cliffhanger

As we all know there are a LOT of series coming out lately, especially trilogies in YA books. Am I right? Anywho, with all those trilogies we're often faced with the dreaded cliffhanger ending.

Whether the cliffhanger endings are to "trick" us into reading the next book or books in the series, or because that's just the way it had to end it's, always frustrating. However I've noticed around the blogosphere lately, with bloggers who rate what they read, that they'll take a star (or whatever they rate with) away just because the books had a cliffhanger ending. As if that diminished how amazing the book was?! Huh? Is it because they feel like the author just did it to ensure they'd continue with the series or, in their frustrations, are they're just punishing the poor book who otherwise was amazing but just happened to leave them hanging? Either way I'm not sure I understand the reasoning.

I get that cliffhangers are annoying, I really do. There's nothing worse than realizing that all can not be resolved in the amount of pages left but at least you know there's something more to come. (even if it is a year or more away) Right?

All I'm saying is: Should your overall opinion of the book really hang on that cliffhanger? Should that one tiny flaw actually lessen the books reputation in your mind?

So, what say you? Should I get off the old soap box? Do you let a cliffhanger ending ruin the whole book for you? Or does it just whet your appetite for more?

Sunday Salon

Welcome to the new Sunday Salon. A weekly update post about my boring life. ;)

Weather Small Talk: It's cold, cold, cold but no snow...yet.

On The Idiot Box: With it being Thanksgiving week here in the US not many new shows were on. So I've been watching old re-runs of Myth Busters. Love those guys! 

Weekly Reads: Ugh! I have to keep reminding myself I WANTED to re-read the Inheritance series. I'm enjoying it but I'm getting soooo overwhelmed trying to finish it on time. Did I mention the author is coming to my local library on Friday? Cause he is, and I really want to be done with them all by then. I finished Eldest and am re-reading Brisinger but I'm going to have to read 200+ pages a day to finish it and Inheritance by Friday. So Shatter Me is on the back burner and it might be a little quiet around here this week. 


Crazy Kitty: It's my fault! She kept bugging me all night on Friday and it wasn't till I got up the next morning that I realized why. She was all out of food. :( 

Movie of the Week: I saw J. Edgar with my mother on Friday...ugh! It was supposed to be about the history of the man and how he started the FBI. At least that's what I thought. It ended up going on and on about how supposedly he was gay. Whatever!  I will say I was so freaking impressed with the make up, though. Check it out! That's Leonardo Decaprio, people! 

Food Talk: You know when you get to gorge on the holidays? Ignore the diet for one day? Yeah, well I waiting all week for Thursday (Thanksgiving) and then gorged...for like two seconds. I was so full I felt sick the rest of the day! Sigh! 

Soccer Sightings: After working out on Tuesday I didn't have time to shower before my soccer game so I flipped on the TV and started watching, figuring I'd shower at half time. 8 minutes in my boys had already scored three times. :) I went and showered. By the time I got out they'd scored again! Way to go, guys! (in case you don't know...that's nearly unheard of!) 

Music Discoveries: Wow! I heard this one on the radio the other day...How have I not heard of Christina Perri? Now I'm loving a bunch of her songs! 

Question of the Week: Is it crazy that I went to the Walmart's Black Friday sale at 10:00 PM, had to park in a completely different parking lot, hike all the way to the store, swim through masses of people only to find that the item I wanted was sold out and to just buy cat food? I'm kinda thinking yeah. ;)  I kinda felt like screaming at the top of my lungs, while holding up the bag of cat food, "I got it. I got it! Mwha ha ha!" 

Review: Eldest

Title Eldest (Inheritance 2)
By Christopher Paolini
For Fun
Pages 688
Recommended by Me

First Sentence The songs of the dead are the lamentations of the living.

Synopsis
The story of Eragon, the boy who found a dragon egg and becomes the first dragon rider for over a century, continues. Eragon and his dragon Saphira travel to Du Weldenvarden, the forest that houses the elves to receive training. Meanwhile, Roran, Eragon's cousin, must protect his village from the evil Raz' zac.

General thoughts
I think this is the third time I've read this book but it was the first time I really noticed all the similarities between it and LOTR and Star Wars. I guess I'm not very smart because lot's of people were outraged at this and hate the series because of it. Now that I have noticed it I'm still not bothered. I can see the influence of these books and movies on this series but I see the influence of Twilight and The Hunger Games in more books than I care to mention. I think when you grow up surrounded by a certain book or movie that's popular at the time you're going to be influenced. K, now that I've weighed in on that I'll get onto the review. I still stand by my previous opinions. I like this book. I like this series. It has great characters you care about. Adventure and excitement. Heartbreak and romance and even a touch of humor. It's just a great epic fantasy!

Characters
I love how we get to see the progression of Roran and how he becomes the man he does. I ADORE the relationship between Eragon and Saphira, it's what keeps bringing me back to this series over and over.

Would I recommend it? 
Yes, and don't be all close minded about it because it has some similarities to other books! Sheesh!

Does This Color Bring Out Their Eyes?

Well, they've gone and done it. Here I was all comfortable with Real Madrid's usual white home kit and dark blue away kit when out of nowhere they spring red on me...RED?! So, here I am trying to decide which one I like best.

White

Dark Blue

Red

I guess it doesn't really matter...as long as they keep kickin' butt...and lookin' like this underneath. Right? 

Top Ten Tuesday

Today  The Broke and the Bookish asks the question: What Authors I'd Love To Have At My Thanksgiving Feast?

Um, k, forget 10 authors...it would just be me and...

Yes, this handsome fellow, Markus Zusak.  We'd have tons and tons of yummy foods and desserts and he'd have hours and hours just to sit and talk to me about, oh, everything!  Yeah, he's handsome and so amazingly talented that I might be very nervous, but I think he'd make me feel at ease in no time, and then would come all the talking. And, oh, the conversations we'd have!



Alright, alright! But a girl can dream can't she?  I do have other authors I'd love to sit down with too.


Gary D Schmidt
Neal Shusterman
Kate Griffin
Dean Koontz
J K Rolling
Isobelle Carmody
Christopher Paolini
Brodi Ashton
Diane Setterfield

The funny thing is I haven't met any of these people but  Markus and Brodi, so I can't, for certain, tell you who I'd actually want to sit down with. Sure, their books are good but what if they, themselves, are horribly boring, or ill mannered, or just plain annoying?! So, yeah, I think I'll just imagine my meal with Markus, if you don't mind? ;)

Classic Double Challenge 2012

K, I won't be participating in a ton of challenges this year but when Melissa from One Librarian's Book Reviews came up with this challenge I figured I could handle it. Plus I think it's an interesting challenge. Want to know what it is? Well, if you look very closely at the button up there you'll see that the "bread" is Pride and Prejudice and a retelling of P&P, Enthusiasm. Is it making sense yet? So, you read a classic and then either a retelling or a book that is closely related to that classic. What do you think? I think it's going to be a blast. This isn't just a challenge that you read a certain amount of books in a certain genre, but one were you get to do a fun post where you compare the two books. How interesting will that be? I'm excited!

There's different levels too.

Small: You read 2 related books.

Medium: You read 4 books (2 sets of related books).

Large: You read 6 books (3 sets of related books).

Super Size: You read 8 books (4 sets of related books).

I'll just be doing the small challenge. I haven't decided on the books yet, I'll have to think about it, but I'll come up with something. 

Care to join? Head on over to Melissa's blog and sign up. 

Sunday Salon

Welcome to the new Sunday Salon. A weekly update post about my boring life. ;)

Weather Small Talk: It snowed last night for the first time...well, in my city. Sigh, I guess winter is here. 

On The Idiot Box: I missed a few shows this week. I'll have to catch up on them later. Can I just say how obsessed I am with The Big Bang Theory? I started watching it when they started playing reruns and it's so funny. 

Weekly Reads: I finished A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I was a little worried I wouldn't manage in time for book club, but no worries. I'm still working on Eldest as part of my rereading and I got Shatter Me in the mail and just had to start reading it straight away. So far, so good. 

Crazy Kitty: Buns has taken to sleeping under the covers  again. Does that mean it really IS as cold in my apartment as I think it is???

Movie of the Week: I didn't see any movies this week. :( How very boring. In my defense it was a crazy week and I hardly had time for anything. 

Food Talk: Ugh, I've been eating like crap because of the above mentioned craziness and it's back to the diet for me! I did make a sauteed veggies and ham with whole wheat pasta and parmesan cheese and spices dish. It's so easy and REALLY good. 

Soccer Sightings: Whilst in Salt Lake this afternoon, for my brothers wedding, I saw a Soccer store and immediately pulled into the parking lot. I FINALLY got a window decal for my car and a 2012 Calender of all my boys. Whoo hoo!  

Music Discoveries: I've jumped on to the bandwagon a little late and have been listening to this one all week. It's great for working out to. 

Question of the Week: Ugh, is there an easy way to eat healthy when you're running around like crazy and hardly ever home?! 

New Background

Yes, don't worry, you're at the right place. I get bored so quickly with things and I'm not popular enough to worry about whether it's OK to change my blog look or not so I've been messing around.

Anywho, what do you all think? I can't decide. I like the colors but maybe not how flowery. Ah, well.

Follow Friday

Q: Letter to Santa: Tell Santa what books you want for Christmas!

Hey everyone! Happy Friday. 

Dear Santa, 

Even though I'm obsessed with real paper books I'm sorta, kinda thinking I want and eReader. Even though I think eReader owners would be screwed in an apocalypse, I kinda like all the convenience of an eReader. I just don't know, Santa; I'll leave it in your capable hands. 

Love Jenny  

Review: A Tree Grows In Brooklyn

Title A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
By Betty Smith
For Book club
Pages 494
Recommended by Suey & Kim and just about everyone else.

First sentence Serene was a word you could put to Brooklyn, New York.

Synopsis
A story about a young girl and her family living in the slums of Brooklyn at the turn of the century and spanning to WWI.

General thoughts
Well, for those of you who thought I wouldn't make it, that I'd be too tempted to play my new Wii instead of finish this book I say, HA! It took me all day yesterday but I finished it. I have mixed feelings, though. I loved the book. I loved that in each character you could find something to love and something to hate. That's so incredibly true in reality, and was captured so well here, that I think that became my favorite thing about the book. I also loved the slow reminiscing feel of it. I smiled a lot, had a touch of heart ache and even burst into sobs at one point. My only problem with the book was I kept wondering if it was so close to the author's own life why didn't she just right it as a memoir? After I finished the book I read the forward (backwards, I know) and found out it was originally written as a memoir but upon request of the editor was made into fiction. That made me feel better, but then I started wondering how much was fiction and how much was truth? When she changed it into a fiction did she embellish or just change the names???  It doesn't tell you and that bothered me to no end!!!

Characters
As I said before, I loved that each character had something to love and something to hate about them. I think Johnny and Sissy were my favorites but I don't know if I'm completely sure about that. If I forget the story, and I probably will, I won't forget these characters and how they made me feel.

Would I recommend it? 
Yes, this one should be read. If for nothing else but the perfectly flawed characters and the hundreds of messages to be taken away.

Quit Distracting Me, I'm Reading!

For book club this month we're reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. Unfortunately, I've fallen woefully behind and only have one day to finish it.

So Shhhh! I'm reading. ;) 

I will not set up the new toy I bought until the book is finished. I will not. I will not. *whimpers* 

Virtual Author Book Tour

David meets Goliath in the law courts of England in the 1990's. The advent of the Internet is leveling the playing field as a multinational corporation tries to silence two young political activists in a riveting court case that captivates the political and business world's attention. (From Goodreads)

I knew I'd be interested to read this one but when was another matter entirely. So...I had my mom read it for me and she will be my guest reviewer. Thanks mom!

Jenny asked me to read this book as a guest reviewer.  I have never reviewed a book before so I really have no idea as to format or anything else for a review so I'll just start at the beginning and say what I thought as I read it.

I thoroughly enjoyed the court scenes and arguments presented. (one gets a quite a bit of practive "lawyering" with eleven children) I also enjoyed the sense of humor for handling "awkward" situations. I agreed with a statement in the book that, "just because it's legal doesn't mean it's moral.", but there was too much explicit, graphical sex.  I am not a " prude". ( I have eleven children, for goodness sake, and enjoyed getting them here.)  I simply believe that intimacy should be intimate and within marriage not splashed all over the pages of a book.  Others are entitled to their opinions but I would not want this book in my library where my children could read it.

This is a political book and it could be propaganda for environmentalism.  I agree with the author that multinational big business, big government, the legal system, etc., are corrupt and that we as individuals should work to clean them up.   I also believe that environmentalism, unions, etc., are also corrupt and should be exposed and cleaned up by we the people. There are two sides to every coin that should be explored in all political situations.

So I enjoyed the humor and court scenes and thought it was a well written entertaining read, but it's hard to like a book when you don't agree with the politics.  I'll be interested to see what others thought, though.

Thanks again, mom!

Next stop on the tour tomorrow...Lori from She Treads Softly.

Sunday Salon

Welcome to the new Sunday Salon. A weekly update post about my boring life. ;)

Weather Small Talk: It's been overcast and rainy and cold. Perfect fall weather! Agreed?


On The Idiot Box: Why the blazes is The Vampire Diaries having it's mid season finale already? Argh! I was hoping for something to happen between Damon and Elaina but no! Supernatural was a silly filler episode but those are often the most enjoyable ones. But, ah, the look on Dean face when Sam said he was getting married. Too funny!

Weekly Reads: I finished The River Between Us by Richard Peck and Fang by James Patterson, both quick reads and started Eldest by Christopher Paolini and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.


Crazy Kitty: Buns has now figured out that it's me controlling the laser pointer she plays with but instead of losing interest she now insists I play with her every night. She sits and stares expectantly at me every night before I go to bed waiting for me to pull it out.


Movie of the Week: I saw Tower Heist this week and, though it didn't look too great in the previews, I loved it! It was hilarious and had a great ending. Any one else seen it yet?


Food Talk: 
I made some whole wheat and honey pumpkin cookies with butterscotch and milk chocolate chips. Really good but I have way too many left!  

Soccer Sightings: Sigh, my boys are off playing with their international teams so I didn't have a game this week but here's a hot pic anyway. ;)

Music Discoveries: I heard this on The Secret Circle, a show I don't particularly like but watch anyways.  Yeah, I'm weird that way. Anywho, I thought the song was kinda cool in a depressing sort of way. ;) BTW, the video is psycho but whatever.


M83 - Wait from Boris Winter on Vimeo.

Question of the Week: I went to a local librarie's teen book festival yesterday and learned all about the difference between "true" dystopian and post apocalyptic books. So, why do we group them together when, in reality, they're so different?

Finally! My Take on e-Readers

I know, you've read tons of blog posts on e-Readers. Some for them and some against them, but I know you've all been dying to know my take on them. So here goes.

Pros 
-First and foremost, the amount of books you can carry with you in one small, light weight device. Very nice!
-The amount of FREE books you can download.
-Digital freaks are being tricked into reading. ;)
-Some let you subscribe to magazines.
-You can read them in the dark.

Cons
Just one really...I can't help but wonder when that huge apocalypse come, (cause we all know it's coming)  and two weeks later your e-Reader battery dies, and there's no power to charge the battery, then what will you do?! Huh? Huh?!

I tease, I tease. I just can't help but think of that every time people go on and on about how great e-Readers are.

By the by, even solar powered ones would be rendered useless if some pollution cloud was covering the earth, or the sun blew up etc, etc.

Review: Fang

Title Fang (Maximum Ride 6)
By James Patterson
For Fun
Pages 336
Recommended by Me

First sentence I'm a girl of extremes.

Synopsis
Things are getting pretty crazy for Max. In Africa she meets yet another psycho doctor wanting to experiment on her and he's already experimenting on others. He's created another bird kid, a bird kid who's gorgeous and supposedly Max's perfect match. But Max is with Fang, her one true love, but according to Angel, Fang might not be around for much longer. Just another day in the life of Maximum Ride.

General thoughts
These books are so ridiculous. I loved the first three in the series but they've gotten a little bit agenda heavy and the writing leaves something to be desired. Their saving grace is the great characters. I had a hard time getting into this one, probably because I just wasn't in the mood, but once I got back into the swing of things and remembered all the fun characters and their personalities, it became a lot more enjoyable. So, yeah, the writing is silly, you can't walk away with out a 'save the earth' message being shoved down your throat, but if you like characters and crazy adventures these books are just fun.

Characters
Max, Come on, you have to like Max. She kicks butt and loves fiercely.
Fang, Dark, silent, brooding. What's not to love?
Iggy, I think I'm developing a little crush on him, I wish he'd be highlighted more...without all the angst, of course.
Gazzy, Such a cute kid. And who wouldn't want his skills in a fight?
Angel, Sorry, but she's getting more and more annoying to me. There. I said it.
Dylan, Hmmm, I'm very, very intrigued.
Total and Akila, Wasn't much to them this time.
Jeb, I'm with Max, I still don't quite trust him.

Would I recommend it? 
Yeah, the fourth one was annoying but the rest are just fun...once you get past the writing. ;)

Having A Bad Day?

Everybody has miserable, crappy, no good, rotten days.  I have them quite regularly, and when I'm having that kind of day I want a hug. I once read that hugging someone for 30 seconds relieves stress and lowers your blood pressure. I can agree with that, but I can't help but think a hug from this guy could cause even more stress relief.

 
Ha ha, you thought this was a serious post. ;)  The sad thing is I totally AM being serious, this guy (Kaka) gives the best hugs. Don't believe me? Look...

Seriously, this guy should quit professional soccer and become a professional hugger instead. He'd take a huge pay cut but come on!  Admit it, you wanna hug from him now too, don't you?

Review: The River Between Us

Title The River Between Us
By Richard Peck
For Book club
Pages 158
Recommended by Book club

First sentence To me, the best part was that we'd make the trip by car.
Synopsis
With the Civil War looming Tilly Pruitt is struggling with her younger sister, Cass and her visions and her twin brother Noah and his desire to join the fighting. Then one night, a mysterious girl and her dark traveling companion arrive on a steamboat and Tilly's mother offer to take them in.

General thoughts
This is the first Richard Peck book I've ever read and I've heard good things about him. I'm happy to say I agree with all of Richard Peck's fans. This one was a historical fiction about more than just the civil war. I found it all very interesting. Unfortunately I didn't  LOVE this book, but I didn't hate it. It was just a fast, interesting read. I read it in one sitting and enjoyed the writing; laughed out loud a few times and got a little choked up too. I'm just afraid it won't be very memorable which is a shame cause it was quite good.

Characters
Tilly, Very relatable teen girl. Even back then she had the same feelings teen girls have now.
Delphine, I tend to be bothered by girls like this, but Peck handled her well and I found myself liking her.
Calinda, I always admire girls like her.
Noah, Typical teen guy. ;)
Cass, Heartbreaking story, I wished she could have had a happier ending.

Would I recommend it? 
Yes, it's a quick interesting read and Peck is a very talented writer.

Sunday Salon

And now a bunch of useless information you never wanted to know about me. ;-)

Outside my window: It's a dark brisk lovely fall night.

I am listening to: Nothing new this week.

I am watching: So I tried watching Once Upon A Time but it just wasn't very impressive. I'm liking Grimm better but even it's a little weird.

I am thinking: My brain is still back in the nap I took today and I don't know how I'm up and functioning.

I am grateful for: FINALLY learning how to breathe properly while jogging! Seriously. I finally get what an exercise high is!

I am reading: I haven't read anything for three days! EEEK! I've been busy with family stuff this weekend and I'm reading Fang by James Patterson and it's just not good enough to keep

me glued. 

I am photographing: My nephews Halloween costumes. 

I am listing: Well, when my brain starts working I'm going to come up with some fun new topics for this post. Maybe. ;)

Around the house: All the leaves from my neighbors trees have dumped their leaves all over my driveway. Believe it or not I wasn't horribly upset about it and had planned to clean them up tomorrow when I heard said neighbor out there tonight sweeping them up! How nice! I thanked him and I'll have to bring them cookies.

From the kitchen: It's that time of year again! I love, love, love this kind of ice cream and went on quite the adventure to get

my hands on it!  

One of my favorite things: Finally being in my own place. I love my family but after spending time with them and all those kids, it's so nice to be able to come home to a QUIET apartment.

The children this week: No kids just my cat Buns and she did the funniest most human thing last week. I was playing with one of those laser pointers and she was chasing the light and pounced on it right as I turned it off. When I pointed the light back on about a foot away from her she did a double take and then slowly peeked under her paws. She was so sure she had caught that tricksy light. ;) 

Plans for the week: I need to get some reading done. Plus it's my sisters birthday and I believe we're going to see a movie.

Thanks to Ibeeeg of Polishing Mud Balls for the inspiration for this post's layout.

Review: Eragon

Title Eragon (Inheritance 1)
By Christopher Paolini
Source I own it
Pages 497
Recommended by Me

First sentence Eragon knelt in a bed of trampled reed grass and scanned the tracks with a practiced eye.

Synopsis
When Eragon discovers the strange blue stone he found in the mountains isn't a stone at all but a dragon egg he begins the adventure of a lifetime as the first dragon rider the land has had for over a hundred years.

General thoughts
I've read this book I believe four times now and it never changes. It's as exciting and fun every time. I love the whole idea of this story. I've always been fond of stories about someone that is special, someone important and unique. (I'm sure a therapist would have lots of fun with that) Anywho, this is one of my favorite series and I loved it as much this time around as the first time I read it. If you like fantasy and haven't read this series...Oh my gosh get off your butt and go read it. ;)

Characters
Eragon, I don't think it hurts that Paolini wrote this when he was 15, it makes for a very realistic character in Eragon.
Saphira, ADORE her. Who wouldn't?
Brom, A wonderful teacher and mentor for Eragon.
Murtagh, *Long, dreamy, sad, sigh*
Arya, Slightly uppity but I think that's what Paolini was going for.

Would I recommend it?
Uh, weren't you listening?! YES!!!

Rant Of Epic Proportions

K, I really shouldn't worry about this but I've been fuming for over a week! So, as you may know, I'm a big fan of The Inheritance series by Christopher Paolini and am ecstatic about the fourth book finally being released on the 8th. In fact, I'm re-reading the first three books despite a monstrous TBR pile because I want to be reminded of all the tiny details before reading the fourth. Anywho, the most exciting thing is Christopher Paolini is going to be coming to my local library in December!!! I'm soooo excited. So, you can imagine my irritation when I discovered that my local library and Barnes and Noble got together and decided that, unless you buy Inheritance (the fourth book) that night from Barnes and Noble you can't get the book signed...........

Are you freaking kidding me?! I bet you Barnes and Noble decided it wasn't worth their time to come to the bookish events and sell books so they told the library they wouldn't come unless they could be guaranteed a lot of sales. I don't really know what happened but it's bad enough that Borders closed and now the only freaking bookstore within a reasonable distance is this stupid Barnes and Noble. Needless to say I immediately clicked on over to Amazon and ordered Inheritance from them. I don't give a dang if I can't get it signed I will NOT be taken advantage of by that full price charging, no coupons ever, selfish, arrogant store!!!  I'm never buying a book from them again! I mean hello? I want to read the book before he comes. I don't want to wait to buy it just for Barnes and Noble selfish reasons. Sheesh!

I'm already irritated with Barnes and Noble so even if they weren't the ones behind it (and why wouldn't they be?) I'm done with them. Why should I pay full price for books and be treated by crap by their cashiers? But that's another rant for another day.

Phew! Rant over, thanks for listening.  Am I the only person who finds this outrageous? Anyone else hate B&N?

Now YOU Can Appreciate A Soccer Post # 1

Yes, that's right you heard me. I know you suffer through my soccer posts and only read them for the hot pics. That's OK, I understand, but after clicking on over to Real Madrid's website today and reading about the teams trip to France for another round in the Champions League against Olympique Lyonnais, I saw this...

Come on, admit it, that's kinda sexy. I did find out the book he's reading is Three Yellow Roses by Raymon Carver (anyone read it?)  but not what books are in the stack.

So feast your eyes on that, book lovers, cause now you can see there IS something to love about soccer and the players. ;)

Review: Some Girls Are

Title Some Girls Are
By Courtney Summers
Source Library
Pages 256
Recommended by Jordyn


First sentence You're either someone or your not.



Synopsis
Same girl-almost-gets-raped-no-one-believes-her-friends-ostracize-her story we've seen done a million times. Only a lot stupider!

* Note* I'm going to start adding who recommended a book to me, either directly or indirectly through their blog, on my review posts. But...I just want everyone to know, you don't have to get offended if I didn't like it; I'm not blaming you. Everyone has different opinions and I never hold anyone responsible for a book I didn't like. I choose to read a book based on the synopsis not so much a recommendation so it's always MY fault. ;) 


General thoughts
As I said, this story has been done a lot. ie, Just Listen, Speak, and not so closely related, Mean Girls. I'm sure there's a million more and I'm sure there better than this one...maybe. I'm sorry, but this book offered no hope, no healing, and couldn't even manage some revenge. Not that revenge is great but after what happened to Regina and the way her friends treated her I sort of wanted her to have some revenge. When it became apparent that, that wasn't working I thought, "OK, now let her realized revenge isn't the answer" but did she? NO! Talk about pounding your head against a brick wall over and over again! And the popping antacids? Seriously? This girl was gonna over dose on calcium and give herself hypercalcemia or at the very least, kidney stones. Sheesh! I'll admit the book pulls you in and keeps you glued to the pages in disgust but that doesn't mean it's good, people. I was so pissed off one night I realized I needed to put the book down and do something calming so I could go to bed. The only reason I even finished it (later btw) was because I kept thinking it would have a better ending where Regina learned her lesson. Nope! No such luck! The whole point is, there are tons of books out there with the exact same story with a much better lesson and handle on the matter. Read them instead, not this crap!

Characters
Dumb, dumb, dumb and dumber. I won't waste the space.

Would I recommend it? 
Oh, you did not just ask that. ;) Move along people, far, far away from this book.

October Wrapup

It's time for another pointless boring wrapup post that you all could probably care less about. ;)
Because I co hosted and participated in a group read of Under the Dome I seriously didn't expect to read too many books this month, but with the help of the read-a-thon I managed more than I thought.

Under the Dome by Stephen King
A great spooky read for October. I love King's ability to create unique, memorable characters.

The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf
After all the dang hype I thought it would be better...not so much.

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers
Oh, this book ticked me off!!! Review coming soon.

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
Sigh, I had such high hopes. It wasn't dreadful but it wasn't great either.

The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I Truly, Completely Lost It by Lisa Shanahan

A hilarious book with some real depth to it. 

Crossed (matched 2) by Ally Condie 

One big circle of a book. Filler. 

Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn

A religious bashing book in the guise of wordy fun. Grrrr, aggravating! 

The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

A surprisingly great book! Be warned it was a bit risque. 

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson 

Well written, well loved...no complaints here. 

So that was my October. My favorite were The Duff and The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I Truly, Completely Lost It. Least favorites were Ella Minnow Pea and Some Girls Are.