Review: The Dream Thieves

Title The Dream Thieves (Raven Boys #2)
By Maggie Stiefvater
Genre YA Supernatural/Paranormal
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Blue never thought she'd be hanging out with Ronan an Aglionby boy and his friends but the four boys known as the Raven Boys have become very close to her. Their quest has become hers and as they search for a the legend king Glendower they'll learn more about Ronan and his secrets and how he can help in their quest.

First Sentence
Theoretically, Blue Sargent was probably going to kill one of these boys.




I'm going to take a minute and tell you how a few years ago I read and enjoyed the first book in this series, The Raven Boys. When I picked up this book, the second book, I found I couldn't remember a thing from the first book and decided to put it down. Fast forward to today. All four books in the series are out now and I decided to reread the first book and then immediately read the rest of the series so I wouldn't forget anything.

This book focuses on Ronan and his ability to pull things from his dreams. Some of his secrets are finally revealed and it was heartbreaking but interesting to get to learn more about him. This book was a little slower and definitely expects you to have read the first book in the series. In fact, all of these books should probably be read together as I'm doing now.

The whole reason I mentioned trying to read this one a while back and putting it down was because, sadly, that aspect of this series bothers me. Not because the author does a bad job of recapping (she doesn't) and not because my memory is terrible (which it is) but because the story, while beautiful and unique, just doesn't stick with me. I reread the first one and immediately picked up this one and still started forgetting things!  The story is a bit forgettable.

This book was slower and then picks up at the end and while I'm OK with slower books, I just wished it would hurry up. Not much seemed to happen and yet, a lot actually happened. I know I sound all over the place but I just can't quite seem to find the words. Oh well. On to Blue Lily, Lily Blue, book three.

Should you read it?
Not before reading book one and probably read them all together like I'm doing. Otherwise, beauty and uniqueness aside, you'll forget everything.

Review: Finding Wild

Title Finding Wild'
By Megan Wagner Lloyd
Genre Children's Picture book
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Two kids set off on an adventure to find wild.

First Sentence
What is wild?





I don't usually review children's books but one of my fellow book clubber's sister wrote this beauty and I couldn't resist reading and reviewing it. I honestly thought it would be all preachy about how kids need to get off the couch and back to playing outside (which they do) but I wasn't in the mood to be preached to. I was completely wrong!

This lovely book follows two children as they investigate the beautiful great outdoors. From forests and meadows to the ocean and mountains. I loved the illustrations and the poetic writing. While some of the words might go over little kid's heads, I still think it's a good books to read to them. It's short and has a lot to look at. And hopefully it will make kids want to get off that couch and go play outside.

30 Days of Books: Days 28-30

Well, I did it! All 30 days! I'm not sure it's gotten me out of my blogging slump, though. Sigh! Oh well. It was fun and at least it got me to blog, right?

Day 28: Favorite title(s)

I picked random books for this one because I'm not sure what my favorite title of a book is. I haven't read A Madness So Discreet yet but I just love the title. And I Woke Up Dead At The Mall??? Come on! I don't even know what it's about but that title is just too great.

  Day 29: A book everyone hated but you liked

I'm sure not everyone hates this book but my book club sure did. I personally loved it! 

Day 30 Your favorite book of all time

I told you when the prompt was Favorite Classic that not only was Frankenstein my favorite classic but my favorite book of all time so you shouldn't be surprised. I just love this book! 

Well, that was fun! I hope you enjoyed my posts! Thanks for hosting, Jenni! 

Review: Finding Audrey

Title Finding Audrey
By Sophie Kinsella
Genre YA Contemporary
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Audrey's life has gotten a bit crazy. A horrible even at school has left her with such severe panic attacks that she can't leave home and has to wear dark glasses so as not to have to make eye contact with anyone. She's in therapy but her crazy family doesn't seem to be helping matters much. Or are they. When Audrey's brother's cut friend starts coming around things might be taking a turn for the better. But life is full of ups and downs and Audrey needs to find herself if she's ever going to survive.

First sentence
OMG, Mum's gone insane.


Another book club book! I'm a head of schedule on this one because it came in at the library and I had to hurry and read it, right? Not that hurrying through it was hard. Once I started I couldn't put it down. This is my first Kinsella book. Her writing is fantastic. So humorous!

While this story dealt with some serious issues the humor littered throughout made it a pleasant read. I adored the crazy, wonderful, fleshed out characters in this book. It was a small cast so you could easily connect to the characters and get to know each of them.

The message in this book was a beautiful lesson. One, I think we all need to learn. I especially liked how Dr Sarah addressed Audrey's problem with doing other people's thinking for them. I do this all the time and the way Dr Sarah worded it was just another great reminder to me to stop worrying about what other people are thinking. It's usually not at all what I think it is, anyway!

While, slightly unbelievable, this book was fun and I liked it. I don't think it took itself too seriously and had a great plot with vibrant characters all mixed into one!

Should you read it?
I'd highly recommend this one!

30 Days of Books: Days 24-27

Sigh! I've fallen behind again! So quick catch up post time!


Day 24: A book that you wish more people would’ve read

How many times do I have to push this books on people?! Please, if you love urban fantasy with unique and awesome characters, READ THIS BOOK!

Day 25: A character who you can relate to the most

Bet you're sick of seeing this cover. Sorry, but I really relate to Cameron.


Day 26: A book that changed your opinion about something

Confession. I used to despise fantasy. I know, shocking, right? I did. Wouldn't touch the stuff. My sister, on the other hand, would only read fantasy. So one day we had a trade off. I would read Harry Potter and she'd read a political mystery. Well, she did read the political mystery but never got hooked on them. I, however, am now a big fantasy nerd!

Day 27: The most surprising plot twist or ending

I'm choosing this book for two reasons. One: The cover would lead you to believe it's a fluffy romance. It's not. It deals with some series issues. Two: The whole time I was reading this book I was expecting (with frustration) a certain ending. It was completely different than I expected and I was relieved and happy!

30 Days of Books Days 22 & 23

Day 22: Favorite book you own

I bet you're getting sick of seeing this one. I have a lot of favorite books and I'm downright blissful that I own them but this one is signed so....It takes the cake!

Day 23: A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t

Um, Shall I just post a link to my TBR page on Goodreads? I want to read all the books!!! Alright, I'll pick just one.

Or three! I feel rather ashamed that I haven't read this series yet. My expectations are just too high and I'm afraid they'll never live up to it. One day!

30 Days of Books Day 21

Day 21: Favorite book from your childhood

This book is one of those little jems that I've reread so many times. It's a perfectly, romantic, adventurous book! I can't wait to have kids and read it to them when they're old enough. 

30 Days of Books Day 19 & 20

Day 19: Favorite book turned into a movie. Ha! This one's easy! 

I love Wives and Daughters! In fact, I like the movie better than the book. Mostly becuase it has an ending! I just think their casting is superb. When I read the book I imagine the actors and actresses because they're so great! Hmmm, might be time for a rewatch!

Day 20: Favorite romance book. Not a romance fan. I mean I love romance but I need more to a story. So, I'll post a book that has a romance in it that's my favorite...How's that? It's still hard to choose, though, so I'll post the one I find romantic today. 

Today I'm feeling this one. The romance comes so gentle and slow and though it doesn't burn with passion, I quite like it. Have you read this book? If not, you should, or at least watch the cute Hallmark movie version. Oh, and if you want steamy...

Though, I think the movie's a bit more passionate than the book.

Review: I Am Malala

Title I Am Malala
By Malala Yousafzai
Genre Memoir
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️



Synopsis
Malala tells about the events leading up to her shooting by a member of the Taliban and her miraculous survival and recovery.



First sentence
"I come from a country that was created at midnight. When I almost died it was just after midday."



Another book club book! I swear that's all I ready lately. No. I've been doing good it just doesn't feel like it. Honestly, I had no desire to read this book. I thought it was going to be all preachy. What I didn't know was that Malala was 15ish when she wrote this book so it had a very intelligent but innocent feel to it. I never felt preached to. It was fascinating, as an American, to get this inside view of events that I've only seen one side of. Here in America we only see what the news tells us unless we dig deeper and I felt like Malala only saw Americans from her limited view as well. So, it was interesting to read about her life and upbringing and get that inside look.

I was only able to get my hands on an audio copy of this book and while I have been wanting to listen to more audio books, I struggle with them. They go too slow and my mind often wanders. Normally I would have turned up the speed so it went faster but, for this one, read in the native accent, I felt I should just leave it at normal speed. But that made it feel a little longer than necessary. I mention the whole audio thing because I feel like I might have felt differently about this one if I'd read it rather than listened to it. I don't know if I would have liked it better or worse, I just know I would have felt different about it. It was good to hear it read in the native accent, I think.

I'm not surprised by the conditions some people still live in but it just makes me angry. Not just at their conditions but everyone's. I'm not going to elaborate. I'll just say that this book will be a good one to discuss as it riled be up a bit and made me think. (Mostly about the treatment of women if you were wondering). While I wasn't blown away by this book like others have been, I liked it well enough.

Should you read it?
I'm not going to get on my soapbox and talk about how every person in the world should read this very important book. I don't feel that way. If it sounds like one you'd enjoy, then give it a go.

30 Days of Books Days 17 &18

Day 17: Favorite quote(s) from your favorite book(s)

"I shall commit my thoughts to paper, it is true; but that is a poor medium for the communication of feeling."
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Is it any surprise that my favorite quote is from my favorite book?  Does that not perfectly express how we can write about a book but it just doesn't do our feelings of said book  justice. I love it!

Day 18: A book that disappointed you

I want to like this book. It held me captivated and I loved all the characters but I was disappointed in the author. I felt like she wrote about something controversial because she knew it would sell. Does that make sense? Well, anyway, it made me dislike the author and the book. 

30 Days of Books Days Day 15 & 16

I've totally lost track of where I'm supposed to be on this but since everyone participating is all over the place I've decided not to feel bad. Day 15 and 16 had similar prompts so I've decided to put them together.

Day 15: Favorite male character

I tried! I really tried to pick just one of these three but I can't! Left to right: Cassel from the Curse workers series. Love this kid! He's smart, kind and wickedly cool! Matthew Swift from the Matthew Swift series. I think I love what he's possessed with more than him but, no, that's not true. The way he handles it is all him! Love it! Odd Thomas from the Odd Thomas series. Odd is the most humble, sweet, tries-to-do-the-right-thing guy, you'll ever meet. I love this kid!

Day 16: Favorite female character

This was a hard one. Not because I had so many to choose from, though. I actually can pick out a hundred more male characters I love but female characters...I have a hard time with. I won't go into detail on why (post for another day, perhaps?) but I do admire Anne Elliot from Persuasion. Yes, once, when she was younger she let her family and friends influence her but she amends that. She's kind, humble, responsible and patient and I look up to her, I really do! 

Review: Last Sacrifice

Title Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy 6)
By Richelle Mead
Genre YA Supernatural/Paranormal
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
The exciting conclusion to the Vampire Academy series. Rose is in her toughest situation yet, but with the help of her friends she'll do her best to find a murder and set her future in motion.

First Sentence
I don't like cages.







I'm so glad I finally finished this series. It was one fun ride! This being the last book in the series had me expecting non stop action and while it was pretty crazy, I did think it dragged here and there. Still, it was a nice strong ending to a great series. I thought things turned out just like they should and even though it was a bit predictable I loved it.

I had no intention of reading the continuing spin off series, Bloodlines, but, well, yeah. I'll be reading it.

Um, wow, sorry for the short review but I really have nothing else to say. It was a solid ending. I liked it!

Should you read it?
Obviously.

30 Days of Books: Day 14

Day 14: Favorite book of your favorite writer

Well, Markus gets to hold the title of favorite author and as for my favorite book of his...Such a toss up but I'm going to have to go with...

I think I already mentioned why I love this one so much. When a book reads like it was written about you and touches your soul like this...Well, let's just say, it's a beautiful thing. 

May Wrap Up

May has come and gone. For some reason I feel like I read, like, 1 book this past month but, as it turns out, I read 5. Go me! Although I'm still behind on my Goodreads goal. Sigh! 

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, Burning Glass by Kathryn Purdie, Black Eyed Susans by Julia Heaberlin, Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy #5) by Richelle Mead and Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy #6) by Richelle Mead

Favorites of the month.

Loved that I finally finished this series and I'm glad because all my other reads this month were mediocre but these were great! 

Least favorite.

I had such high hopes for this one but it was just too slow and the ending irked me. 

So, there you have it. 

Plans for June include reading The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater and I Am Malala for book club. Oh, and finish replacing our fence.