July Wrapup 2015

I know, I know. It's been so quiet around here. I have been reading though.So while I don't have links to the many reviews I'm behind on I can still report, right?

Animal Farm
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts absolutely."

The Repossesion Mambo
This was a DNF for me. Just watch the movie

Knocked out by my Nunga-nungas (Georgia Nicholson 3)
Much needed silly fluff to get out of my reading slump.

Dancing in my Nuddy Pants(Georgia Nicholson 4)
More silly fluff! Oh, Dave the Laugh!

Girl Stolen
My expectations were too high but still, this one was a huge let down.

The Boy Book (Ruby Oliver 2)
An absolute delight! So glad I picked this series back up.




See?! I told you I've been reading. I just need to catch up on reviews!  Favorite of the month: The Boy Book. Least Favorite: The Repossession Mambo, obviously.

August Plans

It's Utah Book Month! A month dedicated to reading and talking about all the wonderful books by Utah Authors. If you want more info check out this link.

So far, I haven't made my Utah authors list of books to read yet but I have a good idea of what I'm going to try.

Rant & Rave #2

                                                                Rant & Rave

Welcome to my Rant and Rave post. A place where I can Rave about something or someone, and a place where I can get that chip off my shoulder by Ranting.

 Rave
I'm such a negative person that Raving about things just isn't "me", if you know what I mean. But, yes, occasionally I get over my pessimism and find something glorious and beautiful in life to rave about.
Today's Rave: Did you know Cabella's has fudge? Homemade in-store made fudge?! Alright, it's ridiculously expensive but it's delicious, comes in a bazillion different flavors and is quite the reward for being dragged to a hunting, camping, outdoors'ey store with my husband. This trip, I bought regular milk chocolate flavored and then tried the Heath Bar crunch and the Rolo flavored. Both delicious! Can you say sugar high?! 

Rant
Today's Rant: So, last Sunday I get to church, on time, and sit at one end of a pew. The other end was occupied by a group of older single widows. Between us is space but I sat at the end because I'm a bit claustrophobic and was feeling very dizzy and sick as it was. When suddenly, a good 15 minutes late, a couple with several kids walks up to me and just sits there staring at me. Now usually they might motion to the empty spot between me and the older ladies and mouth quietly if that spot is taken. To which I would nod, suck in and let them in. However, the man just sits there looking at me and I finally whisper, "would you like me to move down?" He snaps out a "yes" and I was so flustered I didn't say what I wanted to about how I was on time and that he can't just kick me out of my seat, but instead just moved down. So now I'm trapped between these older ladies and this loud family with young kids and does it get better? No! The guy gets out a bag of grapes and starts popping them in his mouth and somehow manages to make them crunch. I mean, I didn't know you can make grapes crunch but this man has somehow discovered the secret. So not only is he being totally disrespectful (it was during the sacrament for those of you who are LDS) but he's being loud and obnoxious too! Then through the rest of the meeting his little girl sat and kicked my legs. Seriously?! What's wrong with people? 
Now before you judge me for being a judgmental religious fanatic who has no charity, let just remember, no matter your religion or lack thereof, you don't kick someone out of their seat. You wouldn't go to movie and ask someone to move. At least, I hope you wouldn't. Anyway, I'm just ranting and ranting is safe here...right? ;) 


Hope you enjoyed my Ranting and Raving. What are you Raving and Ranting about today? Please share.

Review: Eleanor and Park

Title Eleanor and Park
By Rainbow Rowell
Genre YA Contemporary Romance
Pages 328

First Sentence XTC was no good for drowning out the morons at the back of the bus.

Synopsis
Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor.
Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.
Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. (From Goodreads)

What is has going for it
This was my first Rainbow Rowell book and, guys, wow. Rowell sure knows how to write. The way she describes romance....total bologna but she sure can make a girl swoon. I had to just slide down in my seat and hold the book to my chest and sigh happily, staring off into space over this romance. The twist that sends the whole ending into play definitely took me by surprise and overall this book played with my emotions and for that I won't say I outright disliked it...however....

What's lacking
Nothing happened for way too long. That was my biggest problem with this book. I actually set it down for awhile because, at first I was enjoying it but when nothing happened...and more nothing didn't happen, I gave up on it for awhile. I also thought, that while I understood WHY Eleanor was so without hope, her bitterness and despairing attitude really started to get on my nerves.  

Yea or Nay?
I seem to be in the minority (once again) on my feelings for this one. So, yes, go ahead and read it. Just remember it's more of a romance that an actual story. 

Review When You Were Mine

Title When You Were Mine
By Rebecca Serle
Genre YA Contemporary Romance
Pages 334

First Sentence "This is so not how it was supposed to go."


Synopsis
Rosaline knows that she and Rob are destined to be together. Rose has been waiting for years for Rob to kiss her—and when he finally does, it’s perfect. But then Juliet moves back to town. Juliet, who used to be Rose’s best friend. Juliet, who now inexplicably hates her. Juliet, who is gorgeous, vindictive, and a little bit crazy...and who has set her sights on Rob. He doesn’t even stand a chance. (From Goodreads)



What is has going for it
Alright, you should probably know, and could probably guess that I really hate Rome and Juliet! Seriously, I think it's the stupidest, overrated "love" story of all time. But when I saw this book and saw that, yes, it was a retelling but that it was from Rosaline's  perspective, I was very interested. However, I only recently picked it up. And, guys, it wasn't too bad. Now don't get me wrong. I didn't love it it. I did however enjoy reading it. The writing was fair and I liked Rosaline (Rose), she was far too nice and forgiving but it made her likeable. I liked Rose's friends and thought they were realistic and supportive. Mostly I just liked the silly drama with the (moral of the story) ending.

What's lacking
Rob's inexplicable attraction and instant relationship with Juliet was completely unbelievable. Yeah, yeah, it's a retelling of Dumb and Dumber's...er Romeo and Juliet's relationship but I was hoping for a more modern realistic reason Rob would just instantly be madly in love with Juliet. Or, better yet, a longer drawn out attraction that resulted in their ending up together. I also thought, while the ending wasn't pretty, it was still a little too neat.  

Yea or Nay?
Whether you're a fan of Romeo and Juliet, or not, I think this one is worth a read. It's not amazing or anything but I enjoyed it. 

June Wrapup 2015

I'm a little late but here's what I read in June. Only four books but hey.

The Marbury Lens by Andrew Smith
Ugh! Too confusing. Was it reality or not? And where's the damn hope?!

Scarlet but A.C. Gaughen
With the western accent and an Edward like Robin Hood, this retelling wasn't for me.

 When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle 
I actually hate Romeo and Juliet but this retelling from Rosaline's perspective was pretty good.

Elanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
The writing was beautiful, guys but this one just didn't have enough going on and it was soooo depressing!




Favorite of the month I guess When You Were Mine. Least Favorit: The Marbury Lens.

Plan's for July.
I already survived hosting my families 4th of July pool party.

My biggest plan for this month is to get out of my reading slump and read a five star book. Can you believe I haven't read one book this year that I gave five stars to? Sigh!