Friday, April 22, 2011

The Host - Stephine Meyer

First of all - yes I have read this book. Three times in fact. So, although I have already read it, I still feel the need to blog about it, because I have re-read it this year, and this blog is all about keeping up with all the books I read. Whether that book is a old book or a new book to me. :) Moving on. 


This book is one of my favorites for many reasons. I like the idea, the characters, the author, description, outcome and love the ending. It is a rare book that does all this for me in 700 pages or less.

See what to say with out giving anything away? The story is about Wanda and Melanie Stryder. They both live in the same body. Melanie's to be perfectly honest. She is a rebel survivor. One of the few remaining humans left on Earth. The peaceful beings who call themselves, the Souls, have overtaken the planet. The Souls believe that the humans didn't deserve this beautiful planet. The humans, of course, felt like they were being invaded by the body snatchers. The Souls feared the humans, and the humans hated the souls.

Melanie and Wanda strike a very uncommon friendship based on their...situation and mutual love for two people. It is because of this love that Wanda chooses to turn her back on the souls and go in search for the humans she dreams of.

This is amazing, beautiful book. I could and do recommend it to ANY one. Everyone. I don't think there is a person out there that wouldn't enjoy this book. No matter your taste. Meyer, of course, does the Twilight books, which I, of course, love. That being said, this is NOTHING like the Twilight books. Nothing. This is a book all its own. I despise when people try to compare them.

There is, naturally, a movie being talked about. Now I had to go an just compile my dream list. Its hard because of course, no matter what it will never be as good as the movie. And some of these actors I am choosing purely on looks. I know I shallow.

Kay so Jeb either Jeff Bridges or Jim Varney. I know two completely different actors and faces. Honestly I think Bridges would be best, but Varney has some characteristics that I think Jeb has too. If you read the book I would hope you could see this as well! 

For Kyle or Jared. (I know, I know two different people but honestly I didn't like either of them till the end) I go with David Boreanaz (Angel). Just on looks alone (told you I was shallow) 

For Jamie...no laughing...Booboo Stewart. I know, I know but come on isn't he adorable?!

Now for Wanda/Melanie I got this from husband cause I drew a complete blank. But he thinks Jordana Brewster would work. (Fast and Furious) which is ironic cause it brings me to my next character played by an actor from the same movie.

Ian - Paul Walker...don't knock it yet...think about it...re-read the book if you must. I love Ian Somerhalder for Ian but...I don't know...He would be good cause obviously he is suppose to look like Kyle...but I am not sure...It'd be nice if he is in though, just for a little eye candy!!

So that is that...there are tons more people, I like Sigourney Weaver for the mean Aunt. :) Just cause I think she would be amazing. Course you would never be able to get all these people together for a movie, although it would be great, because the book is amazing. You can half ass it with people who can't act. I pray, if there is a movie, Stephine Meyer use a little more...common sense....O.o

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

The Forest of Hands and Teeth - Carrie Ryan

This books goes to show you two things. Don't judge a book by its cover. And don't judge a book by its title. I avoided this book because of both, but after seeing it on many lists, I had to give it a try. I am glad I did. 
This is a story about Mary who lives in a fenced in village surrounded by the undead. She has grown up knowing that the Sisterhood and the Guardians will take care of the village. To put her trust in them. When her mother veers to close to the fence, she forced into a choice. Marry or become one of the sisters. But her heart is with her mother's stories of the ocean. Of great cities with buildings that touch the sky. 

When the fence is breached and all she thought she knew is lost, she has to choose stay and live the life that is expected or venture into the forest. 

I enjoyed this book. It is hard to describe. I could put it down, I didn't have to read it right away. I did find myself thinking of it though. Often. And I plan on reading the rest in the series. The writing style is very descriptive, which for this book works well. Its easy to lose yourself in the world Ryan creates. I think in order to enjoy this book fully though, you would have to enjoy zombie fiction. Although its not gory, they are everywhere, and mentioned in almost every chapter. If you don't like zombies you probably won't like this book. 

There are rumors of a movie. Of course. And there are rumors that a certain actress that I despise will play the part of Mary. If that happens I plan on boycotting the movie. Even if it doesn't, I am not sure I would want to see the movie. Although, that being said, I think it would make a great movie IF you hadn't read the books. Make sense? So if you like zombie movies? But not books, wait for the movie. If there is one...

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Sing you home - Jodi Picoult

I LOVE Jodi Picoult. And I LOVED this book. 

There are many authors that I like, even if their books have the same underlining theme. Nora Roberts, her books always have a strong female character, who sets off on her own, makes her own way and ends up falling in love with a man who thinks he needs to (fix/help/protect/tame) her. Stephen King, well all the books I have read, make me wonder how the guy sleeps at night. He takes the unknown or those questions you ask yourself late at night, or a dark road, and turns them real. Makes them known.
 Jodi Picoult always has morals or ethics involved in her stories. She brings to light different sides to an issue so that you find yourself agreeing with both sides, or arguing a side. This was actually the first book where during the ethical/moral battle I was firmly on one side. Usually she is able to make me see both sides. I guess its because this is an issue I wouldn't or couldn't be swayed on.

In this amazing story. Zoe is a musical therapist who is married to Max who is a recovering alcoholic. They want children so bad but it never happens. They end up going through years of fertility treatments and years of failed attempts. They get so far into debt they don't see a way out. Finally Max has enough and divorces Zoe.

In the months following the divorce, Max goes through a lot of whiskey. After a car accident that nearly kills him, Max finds Jesus. Zoe goes through more medical hardships in the incurring months after the divorce. She finally finds love in a place she never imagined. In her best friend Vanessa. She wants to start try having children again, but Max, who has found religion, has decided that he doesn't want their eggs to go to her. He wants them to go to his good, God-fearing, Christian brother and his wife.

It turns into a huge legal battle. Religion over sexuality. Church vs State. Where do we draw the lines. Why do some people have to make it so hard, for others to be in love.

This is story about all the different kinds of families. How not one is right, not one is perfect. The whole time I was reading this, I kept thinking, who says a Mother/Father family is so right? I am sure there are hundreds of social workers who take kids out of homes that have a mom AND a dad. Being gay doesn't make anyone better or worse. Just like being a Pieces doesn't make anyone better or worse. Someday, soon I hope, we will be a society that doesn't think in terms of gay and straight. Instead of sneering when we see same sex couples holding hands, we will smile because they are in love.

I think its wonderful that Jodi goes through so much research in her books. She really takes her time, gets her information right. It marks a good author. Its one thing to say oh I have this great idea and write it. Its another to say oh I have this great idea, let me make sure I have my facts straight!

I would recommend this book to anyone with a heart. If you believe music is the soul, read it. If you believe in gay rights, read it. If you have had fertility issues, or gone through the heartbreak of a stillborn and miscarriages, read it. If you just like a good great book, read it.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Nevermore - Kelly Creagh

Another warning: If there isn't a sequel this book ends HORRIDLY! If there is, well then you must wait for one.

I enjoyed this book. I read it because my good sister wrote such a wonderful review for it on her blog, writeforabsolution.wordpress.com. Otherwise I don't believe I would have picked it up. I have never read a Edgar Allen Poe book. I know blasphemy. That being said I know OF his works. I appreciate him as a writer, even if I have never read it him.

This book references, Poe's work, it...I don't want to say takes place, but...it has great similarity to one of his works, The Masque Of The Red Death.

Okay, so this book starts out with a cheerleader, Isobel who gets paired with a 'goth' Varen to do an English Project on Edger Allen Poe. As they work on their project, things start happening. The worlds between reality and dreams grows thin, and by then end, everything Isobel knew for truth, is turned around.

I enjoy this book, the build up was great, the characters were wonderful. The book did...have stalled parts. Where I was seriously skimming because I was, not bored, but not as interested I guess.
I am hopefully looking forward to a sequel, although with this book being over 500 hundred pages, I don't see how much more there is to write. We shall see.

I suggest it though, even if there isn't a sequel. I suggest it to high school kids. Let me rant for a moment. I think books like this, and yes Twilight, The Mortal Instruments, Harry Potter to name a few. Are wonderful books, to 'introduce' kids into real reading. This book, not only is interesting in its own right, but it could broaden someones mind into Poe. You read this and say, hey I wonder what other things he has read (the book gives you some great titles), and boom, a kid who didn't read is now not only reading, but reading Poe! That is great!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Wither-Lauren DeStefano

 
WARNING: This is a trilogy - the author is more secretive then Stephine Meyer so I have NO clue if the other books are written, or in process of being published or never going to happen! That being said, I think you could read it and not go crazy waiting for the second and third one. Though, it would be nice to have them available. Moving along. 

I enjoyed this book. I am going to start off by saying that. I like the concept, the story telling, the characters, and the speed. I read it in about two days. 

From goodreads.com Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left.
(goodreads.com)
 
This book, has everything. Intrigue, romance, sisterhood, villains, heartbreak and laughter. The character's are amazing, you can really get a feel of each of them in this book. You are torn (like Rhine) between a life she has left and life she could have. Not just the one that has been chosen for her, but they one she could still have.

On one of the websites I found (looking for elusive information), they had a poll, team Linden or team Gabriel. Now I won't tell you who's side I am on, lest it impairs your view of them. BUT I find it interesting that they are doing that with this book. Leads me to believe the next two will will get more intense. Which of course makes me want them to come out more. Also makes me vow to stop reading series. Again.

Anyway, I recommend it. I give it an A+. I say even if its not finished you should run out and read it. And enjoy.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Awakened - P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast



This is the eight installment of the House of Night series. The first seven are: Marked, Betrayed, Chosen, Untamed, Hunted, Tempted, and Burned.  The ninth book will be out in Fall of 2011. 

First of all, I enjoy this series. P.C. Cast is an amazing author. I have read her other books and really enjoyed them as well. Kristen Cast is amazing as well, although I have never read any of her solo work. I can tell the difference between P.C.'s solo work and the work she does with her daughter. These books still have the same rich detail, the same intensity, heart and wonderful mix of reality and fantasy. But with Kristen's help you get a sense of the 'teenager'. It is wonderful because while I feel like I would be closer to P.C. I have a little sister so I get a kick when I see things that are so obviously Kristen's influence (and I so hope I am right about that!!). 

SPOILER ALERT  - Not with this book, but with the series!! If you haven't read the first seven stop reading. 

In this story we continue to follow Zoey on her path to her Goddess Nix. She has just healed from having her soul shattered, losing her high school boyfriend, Heath, and almost losing her warrior Stark. Her best friend, Stevie Ray is keeping a big secrete from everyone, a Raven Mocker named Rephaim. Whose daddy is back and not happy. Neferet who's evil, vial, loathsome deeds know no bounds. 

This book, as the last one did, took the point of view from many different people. Never a good sign.

A little part of me, that part that becomes so horribly invested in fictional character's lives, died a little during this book. For reasons I will never be able to comprehend, the Cast woman decided it was time for one of the character's to meet their end. I almost didn't finish reading the book. It was that horrific. The pain was prolonged through out the entire book. 
I believe the ninth book, Destined, is going to be soul wrenching. I say this because in Burned, Heath died...sweet, lovable, goofy Heath. In this one, some one else died which was in way much, much worse. I believe in the next, someone else we love, because no one is safe, will die. And it will be because of that death, that Neferet is seen for who she is, and Zoey and her gang will finally have the battle that has been brewing for nine books. 

That is my belief. As always, author's tend to surprise us. Who would have predicted Dumbledore, or Snape? Who would have seen Fred? Who would have guessed Heath? Who would thought of hybrid babies? 

I hope though, that books end well. After investing this much time into them, I will be disappointed if Neferet has a heart attack and Zoey runs off with Stark into the moonlight. Warning to you Cast women! And of love of the Goddess, please, please leave everyone else alone! I can't say more, else I will give it away. 

Do I recommend this book? Do I suggest you run out and read it? Did I enjoy it? What is my grade? Emotionally my answers are NO! NO! NO! AND F! Intellectually. YES! YES! YES! A++. 

Reader beware though...your heart will forever be changed.