Book Review | The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I loved the premise of this story, this is not a book about a superhuman teen sweeping in to save the world, this is about the kid in the background (Mikey). This is about the kid that no one notices. I drew comparisons between Buffy and The Scooby Gang - who wouldn't, what with all the talk of the Chosen One and being helpless to save the world again.

Each chapter begins with what is happening to the Chosen Ones, or as Ness calls them, the Indie Kids. Reading this in print format, these short asides would've made more sense. As I listened to this, I couldn't distinguish them from Mikey and his story and for the first few chapters I was wondering what the hell was going on. Luckily I'm not a complete idgit and I figured out what was happening.

I did like Ness' thoughts on mental illness, (Mikey suffers from OCD), and I can't remember where in the book this sentence is, but I just really like thought behind it. There are so many people struggling with mental illness and for the most part, are treated differently because of it. And you can bet that if they had cancer there would be sympathy and understanding instead of people laughing behind your back because you're a weirdo freak. Ness has created wonderfully diverse characters for his book and I enjoy that. I like his writing style and I don't feel like he's written them by numbers or to fill a criteria.

"It's when your emotions become too big. Medications won't get rid of it but it lets you manage it. If you had cancer, diabetes you wouldn't consider taking medication a failing."

Overall, this was a middle of the road read, I didn't love it, but I enjoyed it enough to keep listening. I can't quite put my finger on why it didn't wow me, maybe because the book centers on the everyday, the boring things that we all do, they aren't doing the exciting save the world, end the apocalypse things or maybe The Scooby Gang still has my heart.


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Until next time, happy reading :)

C.

Book Reviews | Reading Roundup

I am thoroughly behind on my reviewing  - pretty much on all the platforms I post reviews.  As always life gets in the way, so I thought I would share some quick reviews of some of the books I've read over the last couple months.

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is one of the books that we we're looking into for book club, and I have to say I enjoyed it much more than Ape House by Sara Gruen, (another we had purchased last year). For me there was plenty to discuss, not just about the book and it's characters but also the ethics surrounding animal testing etc. I struggled at times with descriptions and this is another book that has made me think more about how we treat animals, each other and our world in general.

I enjoyed the unconventional narration of the story, one thing I would've like to have see was more than one narrator - possibly from Lowell's perspective. Because it is all from Rosemary's perspective I feel like there were times when it would've benefited from someone else viewpoint. I think Rosemary starting in the middle was essential. I agree, knowing certain elements before that would've changed my feelings about the story. Overall, on the surface this was an easy, fast paced read. But ultimately one which made me think about a subject matter that is not entirely comfortable to discuss.


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Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

There were parts of this I thoroughly enjoyed, it's interesting to read about the creative process. There were many times when I had 'Yes!' moments, but I didn't agree with everything Gilbert said - for the most part about education, or higher learning to be specific and her creative experiences was/is quite spiritual, (it's her experience so she can interpret it that way), but I don't really agree with it, or at least to that degree.

I thought this was narrated well, (by the author) and it's something I would happily listen to again, it was a quick, captivating read. I'd recommend this, not just to 'creative' people, it's a self help book, without being preachy which is a plus.

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Room by Emma Donoghue

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

 This is an uncomfortable read, but compelling read, made all the scarier because it is real. The idea of being locked in a a tiny room for seven years is abhorrent and to know that there are people in the world like this is generally not something I like to think about.

Donoghue's decision to have 5 year old Jack be our narrator is an interesting one, (at least to me). I haven't read any interviews with the author so I don't know why she chose to do so. Possibly to make reading and writing it a little easier, (Is that even possible?) But to have Ma experiencing things in the background while Jack is counting his teeth, or how many 'squeaks' in one way makes it easier to read - I say this lightly, as an adult - I know that Ma is going through something truly horrific, but by not focusing on it makes it less real. Does that make sense? Hopefully.

Despite the hard subject matter I found it easy to listen to. Our protagonist is 5, so of course the audio narration reflects this. I though the audio was well done. 

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Three books I recently read, have you read any of these?  What did you think?  

Until next time, happy reading :)

C

Book Review | The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler

The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am slow on the uptake of some classics and this one is no different. And I'm glad to say it's another off the 1001 list! I am still making my way through and according to the app, I should finish them all before I die!

On to the book. I liked Chandler's writing style, it flows nicely and it was a quick enjoyable read. I love Robert Crais' Elvis Cole series and it is easy to see the influence that Chandler (as I'm sure Hammett has too), has had on modern crime writers. Originally published in 1939, The Big Sleep holds up well as a novel, I didn't feel like I was reading something completely alien, although it's possible not quite as bloody and violent as we are used to today.

I will say, the racism, sexism and homophobia pulled me out of the story (but I think that goes to show that Chandler's work is still accessible to modern crime readers). I had a couple of pauses, 'Did he just say fag?' Ah yep, ok. And yes, let's slap the vulnerable girl, that'll fix things *eye roll* Reading something from this era, I need to remind myself that although it's not right, this was common place thinking.

It may be frustrating for some to read, but I don't agree with removing or editing works that have offensive material, (Huck Finn and Magic Faraway Tree are two examples). I don't think it does anyone any good to pretend that racism, homophobia, sexism didn't exist, it's important to read stories how the author intended and move on from there & hopefully learn from it, especially when we ask children to study these texts in school.

Overall, I enjoyed The Big Sleep. Like I said, it was an easy Sunday afternoon read, I laughed, I groaned and I read it in one sitting. One of things I've been asking myself each time I finish a book from the list - Was this book worthy of a spot on the list and would I read another of his books? And it's yes to both.

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Until next time, happy reading :)

C.

Book Review | Shut Out by Kody Kelpinger

Shut Out by Kody Keplinger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was a bit disappointed with Shut Out. I remember reading The DUFF and loving it, I was a sweary, snarky teenager and that was the first time I'd read someone similar to me. But this time around, our main character, Lissa, was annoying AF. I understand that she had liked control and that she felt like it was her responsibility to take care of everyone, but if she was my sister or daughter I would've told her what was what. She grated, I don't know if it was the narrator. I can't put my finger on it. I will admit, in the end I grew to like her more and I loved the banter between her and Cash. Maybe I'm getting old. Scratch that - I refuse! I've already moved up an age bracket this year and I'm not having it.

This is loosely based on Lysistrata and I'me definitely going to check that out. This was closer to a 2.5 for me, I want to check out some of the authors other books, hopefully it was just this book that I didn't love.


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Until next time, happy reading :)

C.

Book Review | Priest by Sierra Simone

Priest by Sierra Simone
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hooly Dooly...Tyler isn't like any priest I've ever met. I think that's a good thing. This was one of those reads where I'd heard about it on the internet and decided I needed to read it, (much like dino porn - which lets be honest o.O I wasn't fully prepared for!!).

I like the general premise of the idea, who doesn't like a little forbidden love. But this fell flat, sure there was some hot smexy times, but I didn't particularly like Tyler or Poppy. I would've like more story with my smut.

I didn't believe Tyler's reason for becoming a priest and I didn't believe him as one, I thought he was a shitty priest actually. I don't know if it was lack of character development, his blatant flouting of the rules of the Priesthood, the breaking of trust with one of his parishioners - she may have been 'begging for it', but there are lines for a reason. Maybe it was all the f-bombs he was dropping or his annoying at times inner monologue. And seriously, what kind of priest is wanting to cram his dick in places he has no bid'ness putting it. Sure you might struggle with celibacy and impure thoughts, but you're a grownass man - self control people! Self. Control.

And for those who've read it, his use of props was kind of distasteful, I don't care how 'sacred' your sex is, or if you've had a 'religious experience' you're still just banging.Perhaps a little more respect, but that's just me. And the pet name - Lamb - ugh, I cringed each time I read that. So ick.

I get sometimes you want all the banging, but a little character development doesn't go astray. I don't think Tyler's inner monologue was sufficient in that respect. As for Poppy, what I took away from her character was that she was a poor little rich girl, who was bored with her life, chucked a tantrum because she didn't want to do the 'expected thing'. She was happy to be treated like shite (by her ex-bf mainly, but Tyler was an arse to her as well). And she liked sex. A lot.

I'm taking this as the sexy romp it was. I've read worse, but I've also read a whole lot better. The benchmark of any book - would I read another book by the author? Yes. Would I recommend this? Carefully. There's only three people I can think of that wouldn't look at me like I'm a complete degenerate after recommending this to them :)


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Until next time, happy reading :)

C.

Book Review | Rock Redemption by Nalini Singh

Rock Redemption by Nalini Singh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Rock Redemption is a friends to lovers story and it's a format I enjoy. For me it works because the characters know each other, they have that trust and familiarity before they jump into anything else. And this did start out that way.

"He knew her dreams and she was starting to glimpse his, and they were slowly, beautifully, making their way from friendship to love."

Then Noah got his douchbaggery on and rather than talking to Kit he wussed out and set her up in the worst possible way. I was so frustrated by Noah and I really didn't like him at that point.  Which was disappointing as I'd loved him in previous books.

I knew this was going to be dark and angsty, it's been hinted throughout the other books that Noah has issues, but I don't think I was prepared for just how much he's dealing with - or not, because that's part of the problem.  Rather than talk to someone or work out what he's feeling he bangs groupies and then bangs some more.  I'm all for rock star smexy times, but I need you to talk to someone Noah.

For me Rock Redemption wasn't as I'd expected, I thought this would be more of a traditional romance. I love how Nalini writes romance, and I wish there was more of it this time around.

A lot of Rock Redemption is Noah working towards redemption, rebuilding his friendship with Kit and trying to deal with his issues. I loved that Kit was willing to stick it out and help Noah deal, they've both been hurt by things in their past and it takes strength to face it.

This wasn't romancepalooza, but I liked the reality even thought I didn't like the situation. Not all out heroes are perfect in real life, they do some horrible, unforgivable things. Life isn't a fairy tale and sometimes our books need to reflect that. This works for me because sometimes I just need the angst!

Ultimately we want a HEA and we get that. I do feel a little like their story is unfinished, mainly because it's only the last 20-25% that they really get together.  I'd love to revisit them in a novella and I'm sure we will see more of them in Abe's book.

I thought that this would be my favorite book of the series, but it didn't bump Rock Hard off that shelf. I still have a T-Rex stomping through my heart!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.




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Be sure to check out my previous Rock Redemption Blog Tour post for a chance to win a $50 Amazon voucher. 

Until next time, happy reading :)

C.

Book Review | Hot SEAL by Lynn Raye Harris

Navy SEAL Dane “Viking” Erikson has sworn off women—or at least he’s sworn off one woman: DEA Agent Ivy McGill. His ex-wife. 

But when they’re forced to work together on a critical military mission, Dane can’t help but notice how the one woman he shouldn’t want is the only one he can’t stop thinking about. 

Ivy knows what it’s like to fall for a SEAL’s hard muscles and killer smile—and she knows what it’s like when everything falls apart. So why is she naked against a wall and begging Dane for more?

The 9th book in the Hostile Operations Team series and the 1st in the HOT SEAL series.  While this is a spin-off it opens up more avenues for the continuation of the series with both new and existing characters.  I'm excited to see where the addition of a SEAL team will take the series.  This novella is a perfect introduction for our new characters. 

You don't have to have read the other books in the series, but I do recommend that you don't start with this book, simply because it gives away the pairings of couples from earlier books and there are possible spoilers.  But I also think that because the series has a number of books (this will make 9), that it's more enjoyable and you get a better picture of the dynamics of the team, the over arching story line that is weaved throughout the books if you do read them in order.  Each book ends with a satisfying finish, but there is the 'Big Bad' which the members of HOT continue to fight.

I'm a sucker for second chances, I'm not quite sure what it is, (maybe I am a big softie at heart), but I like it.  Especially when you have characters that have had a relationship before and let's get real - I read romance - I'm a sucker for a HEA!!  The prologue starts five years ago and it sets Dane & Ivy up, just married, completely in love, blazin' up the sheets and VERY hot for each other.  I was looking forward to them meeting up again and I wasn't disappointed.  

From the first time Dane & Ivy reunited I was 'pass the popcorn, this is about to get good'.  I had a big dopey grin on my face and I just knew he was going to be a shit stirrer :) 

      "She didn't expect him to be looking at her, or maybe she did.  He didn't know, but he didn't look away.  Instead, he gave her a slow grin.  And then he winked."

They both have baggage to work through, their relationship didn't have closure and even though it'll make their mission messy, they can't stay away from each other.  What can I say - sexy complications are the best kind.  I'm pretty sure I say this in each of my HOT reviews, but I love that the heroines are strong, sassy and can get shit done.  Ivy is that in spades, she is a take no crap, get shit done DEA agent. She's proud of the work she does and I love that she isn't a damsel in distress.  And Dane...lord do I love a military hero.  He's alpha, but not overbearing and I love that even though they've both hurt each other, as soon as Ivy needs it, Dane is there to help.

I mentioned the team before and I loved revisiting them.  I get the sense that they are lots of fun, I think I could stand to spend some weekend BBQ time with them.

      "I know you will, you ornery Cajun motherfucker."  "Can't wait to see you."  "Easy does it sir.  I'm spoken for."

I love that with the spin-off series we are getting some new characters.  I'm interested to see more of Ace, Ivy's partner, and the rest of Dane's SEAL team.  The focus was on our H & H, but I'm sure we will see more of the team in the future.  And Mendez!!  Mendez is going to be the death of me when he finally gets his own story!!  I really hope it's soon.

I'd definitely recommend this series, it has fast become one of my favorite to read and if you love military romance, hotboys being sexy badass hotboys, with a side of snark & sass this is the book for you.

*** I received an ARC of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Until next time, happy reading :)

C.

Book Review | The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler

The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am slow on the uptake of some classics and this one is no different.  And I'm glad to say it's another off the 1001 list!  I am still making my way through and according to the app, I should finish them all before I die!

On to the book.  I liked Chandler's writing style, it flows nicely and it was a quick enjoyable read.  I love Robert Crais' Elvis Cole series and it is easy to see the influence that Chandler (as I'm sure Hammett has too), has had on modern crime writers.  Originally published in 1939, The Big Sleep holds up well as a novel, I didn't feel like I was reading something completely alien, although it's possible not quite as bloody and violent as we are used to today.

I will say, the racism, sexism and homophobia pulled me out of the story (but I think that goes to show that Chandler's work is still accessible to modern crime readers).  I had a couple of pauses, 'Did he just say fag?' Ah yep, ok.  And yes, let's slap the vulnerable girl, that'll fix things *eye roll*  Reading something from this era, I need to remind myself that although it's not right, this was common place thinking.

It may be frustrating for some to read, but I don't agree with removing or editing works that have offensive material, (Huck Finn and Magic Faraway Tree are two examples).  I don't think it does anyone any good to pretend that racism, homophobia, sexism didn't exist, it's important to read stories how the author intended and move on from there & hopefully learn from it, especially when we ask children to study these texts in school.

Overall, I enjoyed The Big Sleep.  Like I said, it was an easy Sunday afternoon read, I laughed, I groaned and I read it in one sitting.  One of things I've been asking myself each time I finish a book from the list - Was this book worthy of a spot on the list and would I read another of his books?  And it's yes to both.


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Until next time, happy reading :)

C.

Book Review | Hot & Bothered by Lynn Raye Harris

Hot and Bothered by Lynn Raye Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.  All the squees are my own.

Another great edition to HOT, for me this series just keeps delivering – both with the action and with the feels.  With the addition of Dane and his team (HOT SEAL – coming out in September), I like where the series is going.  And we are that much closer to Mendez’ story, which from what Harris is laying down in Hot & Bothered, it’s going to be HOT.

This time around our Hero & Heroine (Ryan & Emily) are dealing with forbidden attraction – he needs to stay away from her because of her past and his job. We first met Emily in HOT Rebel, (Nick & Victoria’s story), she is the sister that Victoria went rogue for and it’s not until now that we’re really getting to know her.  Since being back in the US, Ryan has been one person that Emily can really confide in, he is a big part of her coping with everything that’s happened since the desert, Bin Yusef  and her rescue.  But when Ian Black gives her a chance to clear her name and make things right, how can she say no?

In the previous books we’ve mostly seen Ryan as the joker, the class clown.  So it’s a little different to see him as both vulnerable and the big bad protector.  Although I admit it was nice to see beyond the surface.   Emily manages to get past that and in that sense they’re perfect for each other, they work through their problems together.  They’re both as stubborn as each other to begin with, so it’s fun to see the give and take in their relationship.

I like that Harris continues to write strong female characters, sure they can’t do everything on their own and I don’t expect them to, but they’re resourceful, strong and they kick arse – these characters feel real to me, they aren’t cookie cutter.  And that is why this series continues to be one of my favourites.

I know for the previous couple of stories in the series I’ve said the books can be read as stand-alones, but I think that it’s better to read them in order, there are tidbits of information that relate to previous stories and while they aren’t major spoilers it’s nice to start the series as Harris intended and let’s be honest why wouldn’t you want to read them all.


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Until next time, happy reading.

C.

Book Review | Venetia by Georgette Heyer

Venetia by Georgette Heyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've been meaning to read Georgette Heyer since the 2013 ARRA Conference when Cathy Maxwell referenced some of her 'must read' books and this is the first chance I've gotten.  And honestly the draw card here was Richard Armitage.

Richard. Fucking. Armitage.  Giving me eargasms like Dre.  I honestly don't know how I haven't crashed my car (I'm listening to The Convenient Marriage now).  He does a wonderful job of the narration, but I'm not surprised.  That man could read me the phone book and my ovaries would explode!

By most standards of the time, Venetia is an on the shelf spinster.  She has options in the form of a rather dull Mr Yardley, but she's not planning to settle and she doesn't seem overly bothered by not being married, she's happy to manage the estate and take care of her younger brother.  It's not until she meets Demerel that her world is challenged for want of a better word.

This was such fun, I loved the developing relationship between Venetia and resident rake Lord Damerel.  I've always got a special place in my heart for sassy, independent regency ladies.  This was bringing back memories of Lady Calpernia from Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean - another book I adore.  They banter with witty quips and literary quotes (which I'd love to explore more, I recognise some but not all of them),their friendship blossoming into something more.  It didn't seem twee or contrived and if they were real people I'd like them.  Heyer's writing kept pace nicely and I'm looking forward to reading more of her work, I understand she also writes mysteries although I'm not sure if they are of the Regency era.  She certainly does her research and it shows.

I am going to have to reread this as the audio that I listened to was abridged, something I didn't realise until it arrived at work for me.  As much as I did enjoy the narration I'm looking forward to curling up on the couch and spending a little more time with Venetia and Damerel.


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I mean COME ON people, how could you not!!!!  I'd be all over that like Vegemite on toast.

Until next time, happy reading.

C.

Bout of Books | Reading Updates & Wrap Up 16/5 - 17/5

Saturday
Number of books I've read today: 1
Number of pages I've read today: 200
Total number of books I've finished: 3
Total pages read:
Books: The Skeleton Road by Val McDermid, No one belongs here more than you by Miranda July, Not My Father's Son by Alan Cumming.
Daily challenge: Favourite Read Photo Challenge hosted by Once Upon a Book 

Saturday Challenge:

The challenge today is to post a photo of your favourite read of Bout of Books.  For me, it is Not My Father's Son by Alan Cumming. I listened to this and it was also narrated by the author. This is a past/present memoir of his early life (about the abuse that his family suffered at the hands of his father) and his journey to discover what happened to his maternal grandfather after the Second World War.   

This was funny, moving, sad, insightful, brilliant. I'll stop throwing words at the page.  Needless to say, I thought this was well written and the sensitive subject matter was handled with respect. I'm fascinated by people's history and as luck would have it Alan's episode of Who do you think you are is coming up next weekend. I think watching it will add another layer to the story. 

  Sunday

Number of books I've read today: 1
Number of pages I've read today: A lot :)
Total number of books I've finished: 4
Total pages read: 1170
Books: The Skeleton Road by Val McDermid, No one belongs here more than you by Miranda July, Not my Father's Son by Alan Cumming, Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson.  Not completed: T'was the night after Christmas by Sabrina Jeffries.
Daily challenge: No challenge.


Bout of Books 13.0 Wrap Up
 So I guess you can see, towards the end I got a little lax in keeping track of pages read, but I was having too much fun reading.  I ended up reading 1,170 pages all up.  Four books completed (almost five).  But more importantly, I had fun.

I managed to finish:

* The Skelton Road by Val McDermid; 140 pgs
* No one belongs you here more than you stories by Miranda July; 205 pgs
* Not my Father's Son by Alan Cumming; 288 pgs
* Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson; 337 pgs
* T'was the night after Christmas by Sabrina Jeffries (not completed). 200 pgs.

I knew I wouldn't be reading as much as in previous years, but I wanted to participate and if I read great, if something else came up, I wasn't going to stress.  I'm uploading a video to BookTube at the moment so I'll add that here once it's done cooking.

So how about you?  What did you read, what was your favourite book or did you read something you didn't like?  Let me know in the comments below. 

Until next time, happy reading :)

C.

Bout of Books 13.0 | Reading Updates 11/5 - 15/5

So it has just hit the end of the first day of Bout of Books and I've completed one of my goals - finish my book club book.  Huzzah!!  Rather then having separate daily update posts I'm going to use this post for my each of my daily updates.  So lets get started:

Monday
Number of books I’ve read today: 1
Number of pages I’ve read today: 140
Total number of books I’ve finished: 1
Total pages read: 140
Books: The Skeleton Road by Val McDermid
Daily challenge: Bookish Survey hosted by Writing My Own Fairytale 


Tuesday Challenge: 

The Questions: 

1. How do you organize your shelves?

    ~ My main shelves are organised in Dewey order, I've also got them separated into Genres. I have a bookshelf with my 1001 books and another for uni texts. And don't get me started on all the boxes...

2. What is one of your favorite book that’s not in one of your favorite genres?

    ~ Strickly speaking it's not very sci-fi, but Foundling by Octavia Butler.  I don't read a lot of sci-fi, but I wanted to try reading more and I thought starting with vampires (which I do read a bit of), would be a good place to begin. I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to more of her work. 

3. What is the last 5 star book you read?

    ~ Tempest Tales by Walter Mosley. Absolutely brilliant. Read it!!

4. What book are you most excited to read during the read-a-thon?

    ~ There's two that I bought for my birthday last month - graphic novel, The Wicked + The Divine by Gillen, McKelvie, Wilson & Cowles and a poetry book by Langston Hughes.

5. What book do you recommend the most?

    ~ At work I often rec Year of Wonders & Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks or Secret River by Kate Grenville, YA I'd go for On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. 

Until tomorrow, happy reading :)

Tuesday
Number of books I've read today: 0
Number of pages I've read today: 20 and 2 hrs of audio
Total number of books I've finished: 1
Total pages read: 160
Books: The Skeleton Road by Val McDermid
Daily challenge: Character Face Off hosted by LuLo FanGirl

I started listening to two books on Tuesday, the first T'was the Night After Christmas by Sabrina Jeffries.  This is a regency romance in her Hellions of Halstead Hall series (Book 6).  The prologue was an absolute scream, picture two 8 year old boys facing off like 60 year old men!  I've only heard a disc so far, but I'm enjoying it so far.  The next book I started was Nobody Deserves to be here more than you by Miranda July.  This was not at all what I expected it to be.  For some reason I thought it was written by the lady who stars in Miranda, (who I've since realised is Miranda Hart).  To be honest, if I wasn't listening to this, I don't think I would keep reading.  It is a collection of short stories, some of which I do enjoy, others are really not my cup of tea.  And lastly, Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson, I'm only 20 pages in and loving it.  I like the format of novels in verse.  And how could I not enjoy a book that opens with one of my favourite Langston Hughes poems!

I didn't take part in the challenge today, by the time I got home I was ready to drop, so maybe I'll have more luck on Wednesday.

Until then, happy reading :)

Wednesday
Number of books I've read today: -
Number of pages I've read today: 3 hrs of audio
Total number of books I've finished: 1
Total pages read: 160 pgs and 5 hrs of audio
Books: The Skeleton Road by Val McDermid
Daily challenge: Book Haiku hosted by Kristina Horner

I'm continuing on with my audios, although I've requested the print version of T'was was the night after Christmas because while the narrator is making me laugh it's kind of for the wrong reason.  It's very distracting and I think it would be a more enjoyable experience to read the book.  As for No one belongs here more than you, I'm almost done, I've got maybe an hour left and I've got to say I kind of wish that I read this one as well or at least listened to a couple of stories at a time rather than all at once.  It all kinds of runs into one big stream of consciousness. I didn't even get a chance to pick up Brown Girl Dreaming, which is the one book that I really want to read, go figure!  And in something that is no surprise...no challenge today either.

Thursday
Number of books I've read today: 1
Number of pages I've read today: 2 hrs of audio (so far)
Total number of books I've finished: 2
Total pages read: 160 pgs and 5 hrs of audio
Books: The Skeleton Road by Val McDermid, No one belongs here more than you by Miranda July.
Daily challenge: Modern to Classic hosted by Ranty Runt of a Reader

Thursday Challenge:

The challenge for Thursday was to pick a book that you thought would become a classic and why.

My answer for this would be On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta.  This was published in 2006 in Australia and later as Jellicoe Road in the USA, where it won the 2009 Michael L. Printz award.  This tells the story of Taylor Markham, who was abandoned by her mother on Jellicoe Road when she was 11.

I can't really put my finger on what it is about this story, but it is one of my favourites.  The first time I read this, I knew nothing about it and I just sank myself in the story.  It was amazing.  But I could honestly reread this over and over.  It is beautifully written, made my heart hurt. It's great for discussion and I think it would work well for the classroom, (Looking for Alibrandi,  an earlier book of Marchetta's  is read for English in Australian high schools).  I also think it is easy to relate to, it's about journeys and coming of age.

Friday
Number of books I've read today: 0 :(
Number of pages I've read today: 3 hr of audio, not sure what that amounts to in pages.
Total number of books I've finished: 2
Total pages read: 365 pgs and 7 hours of audio.  I finished another disc of T'was and listened to the first 16 chapters of 'Not my father's son' by Alan Cumming.
Books: The Skeleton Road by Val McDermid, No one belongs here more than you by Miranda July.
Daily challenge: Cover Colour Challenge hosted by Wishful Endings

Friday Challenge

So I picked red as the colour that I wanted to use for the challenge today.  I am so tempted by the Penguin Drop Caps, the typography on them is beautiful...maybe if I had a spare $500.00!!  Until then I'll just covet them from afar.  Pride & Prejudice is the only book I've read of these, although I own Dracula & An Abundance of Katherines.  I've heard lots of good things about Ruby Red, but can't seem to find it locally.

How about you - have you read any of these?  Have any other red covered recommendations, better yet, leave me a link to your Colour Cover Challenge so I can have a look at what you've picked :)

Until next time, happy reading :)

C.

Book Review | Call of the Wild: My Escape to Alaska

Call of the Wild: My Escape to Alaska by Guy Grieve

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


At some point in our lives we all dream of packing it in and having a grand adventure.  I often think how I'd enjoy taking time off and traveling the world.  Gut Grieve made that dream a reality.  As the blurb says he was stuck in a job he hated, in dept and was unhappy with aspects of his life.  So rather than suffering it out how most of us do, he quit his job and took to the wilds of Alaska for a year.

I enjoyed reading this, Guy mentions that he wrote for The Scotsman while he was in Alaska and these articles were part of the basis for the book so it makes sense that this is easy to read.  I was happy to read a chapter at a time, although there were some points where I had to keep reading.  I wouldn't mind doing some digging and finding the original articles.

There were a number of photos of the camp and surrounds included in the book and this helped me picture his daily life, in the book there were also lists of what he took with him, which I found interesting.  I suppose you could use this book as a jumping off point if you were looking at doing something similar - but it goes without saying research would be key before attempting something like this.  I liked that it acknowledges the realities of living in the wild.  Guy had a huge amount of help setting up for his year in Alaska.  Both with extensive research before he left Scotland and once he arrived in Alaska. Guy mentions both Christopher McCandless and his death in Alaska (John Krakauer wrote Into the Wild based on McCandless' story) and Guy also mentions another man who was attempting to do the same thing as him but was found starving in his camp because he didn't prepare for the winter properly.

I would loved to have read more about the Native American family that helped him when he reached Alaska.  I can imagine they would have some amazing stories to tell and reading about the dog sled team was fascinating.  Those dogs are fantastic, that they can withstand the cold, the pressures of sledding and reading how they train them - amazing!

The only thing I didn't love about this was that Guy left his family behind and it's not even that, I guess it's more about how I felt about that.  For one, it frustrated me to no end.  How do you quit your job,  leave your wife and two small children to live alone in Alaska for a year.  It's all well and good to have a mid life crisis, but it works a little differently when you have family responsibilities.  But each to their own I guess.  I know if that was my husband, I would've gone with him!  But by the end of the book, I think I had a better understanding of why he did it.

I'm interested in reading his other book, Sea Legs, where he and his family sail from Venezuela to Scotland.  I like the 'off-road' sense that you get from Call of the Wild.  I like a swanky hotel as much as the next person, but I also love that idea of visiting a place as locals would.  I want to see a place as it should be seen, not through the windows of a kontiki bus and that is was this book inspires.



View all my reviews

Until next time, happy reading :)

C.

Blog Tour | Rock Hard by Nalini Singh

Meet Gabriel (sexy rugby player turned CEO) & Charlotte in this fantastic addition to the Rock Kiss Series! 

NOW AVAILABLE! 

Amazon US:  http://amzn.to/1BXhHWB

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1G9oslz

iBooks:  http://bit.ly/1utQDee

Nook: http://bit.ly/1KEyBIx

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1APyqnU

Blurb

In New York Times Bestselling author Nalini Singh’s newest contemporary romance, passion ignites between a gorgeous, sinfully sexy man who built himself up from nothing and a shy woman who has a terrible secret in her past…

Wealthy businessman Gabriel Bishop rules the boardroom with the same determination and ruthlessness that made him a rock star on the rugby field. He knows what he wants, and he’ll go after it no-holds-barred.

And what he wants is Charlotte Baird.

Charlotte knows she’s a mouse. Emotionally scarred and painfully shy, she just wants to do her job and remain as invisible as possible. But the new CEO—a brilliant, broad-shouldered T-Rex of a man who growls and storms through the office, leaving carnage in his wake—clearly has other plans. Plans that may be equal parts business and bedroom.

If Charlotte intends to survive this battle of wits and hearts, the mouse will have to learn to wrangle the T-Rex. Game on.

EXCERPT

Charlotte arrived at work at seven thirty the next morning to find Gabriel Bishop’s office door open, but no carnivorous predator inside. A fresh suit was hanging on the back of his door, however, which meant he’d been in already.

Deciding to catch up on e-mails that had come in overnight from international suppliers as well as stores involved in a stock take, she was typing a reply when a sweaty Gabriel arrived fifteen minutes later. He was dressed in black running shorts and a faded University of Auckland T-shirt that was currently sticking to his body.

She’d known he was in shape, but now she realized none of it was an illusion created by his well-cut suits. Okay, she’d already known that, but seeing his muscled body in the flesh was a whole different ball game. He was built like a tank, hard and powerful.

Each of his thighs was thicker than both of hers put together, his biceps toned, his shoulders appearing even wider than usual. Everything about him was big. Civilized clothing didn’t make him look better, she realized—it toned down his intense masculinity. Out of his suits, with the ink on the upper part of his left arm exposed, as well as that on his opposing thigh and…

Her skin hot and lower body clenching, she just nodded in response to his “Good morning.”

Disappearing into his office, he returned with his suit pants and a fresh shirt slung over his arm, along with a sports bag. “Push the meeting with Sales to nine, will you, Ms. Baird? I need to talk to HR about something before then.”

“Yes, sir,” Charlotte said almost soundlessly, but he was already gone, heading toward the employee shower one floor down.

The thigh tattoo went all the way around, the design intricate.

Heart rate a rapid stutter, Charlotte got up after he disappeared and decided to go grab him a coffee. He’d bought her one yesterday after all. She was just being nice. “Oh, shut up, Charlotte,” she muttered once she was in the elevator, and slumped her face into an upraised hand.

The truth was she was running away. Only for a few minutes, but that’s what this was: strategic retreat. Gabriel Bishop was overwhelming. Once, before she’d ever met him and under the influence of cocktails, she’d told Molly she wanted to rip off his shirt and sink her teeth into his pecs.

That desire hadn’t waned even now that she knew he was a T-Rex. Of course, the desire was all strictly in her imagination. The idea of actually handling him in real life? So impossible as to be laughable. Charlie-mouse was not about to play with a predator who could eat her alive and not even notice the bones. The good news was that she could admire him in relative safety—there was no chance in hell he’d ever notice her as a woman.

Getting the coffee from a nearby café, she took it back upstairs. He was in his office when she entered, the striped dark gray of his tie hanging around his neck and his damp hair roughly combed. The scent of clean, fresh soap over warm skin permeated the office. Shooting her a smile that turned him from gorgeous to flat-out devastating, he flipped up the collar of his white shirt to get the tie in place. “Thank you, Ms. Baird.”

Nodding, Charlotte escaped, though she really wanted to stay. She’d never realized how erotic it was to watch a man dress until this precise moment. And she shouldn’t be having these thoughts about her boss—especially since she couldn’t keep from quivering like a rabbit in his presence. Sometimes she just annoyed herself.

“Get to work,” she muttered and knuckled down.

Gabriel was fine for the first hour, but then he began barking orders even a six-armed woman with a split personality would have had trouble handling.

Finally, pushed to the edge, Charlotte snapped. “I’m going as fast as I can!” she yelled when he asked her for something a minute after he’d asked her to complete another task.

He scowled and held out a file. “This is a priority.”

Grabbing it from his hand, she said, “Fine,” and slapped it down on her desk.

It was over an hour later that he disappeared for ten minutes. When he returned, it was to put a small bakery box on her desk. “I think you need something to sweeten your mood today, Ms. Baird.”

What she needed was for the T-Rex who was her boss to stop snarling and growling, she thought as he returned to his office. Not opening the box until her curiosity had almost killed her, she found it held a slice of decadent chocolate cake with a white-chocolate ganache topped with curls of both white and milk chocolate. “I cannot be bribed with cake,” she muttered, eating a bite nonetheless.

Full two-chapter excerpt available on Nalini’s Website: http://nalinisingh.com/rockhard.php

My Review

I've managed to read all three of the books in the Rock Kiss series in the space of a couple of days - why? Because Nalini Singh is one of those authors that gets you started and pulls you into her world and even if you could stop you wouldn't want to. I had the same excitement starting this series as I did the Psy-Changeling series.  I want to read it all right now and her new series shows she is still that author for me. 

Rock Hard could've easily been full of cliches, but Charlotte's past is treated with dignity, and while it has scarred her deeply, she is still a wonderful character, it doesn't fully define her, the snark may be hidden, but hot damn if T-Rex isn't going to find it! I also liked that Charlotte wasn't 'fixed' at the first sign of flirting or the first kiss.  There were hints of what happened to Charlotte in Rock Addiction, and obviously wasn't fully explored and when you do finally find out you realise just how strong she is. What happened to her was huge and not something you just get over and I thought that slow burn between the Charlotte and Gabriel was well done. He was patient with her and before they realised it they were completely intertwined in each other. He helps her regain her self confidence and opens her world to possibilities that she's missed for the last five years.  He helps her take that final step, (which is why I love Gabriel so much - bugger the rock star, I want an ex-rugby playing CEO!!). 

There were some great one liners and I loved the chapter descriptions, they made me laugh.

A fantastic edition to the Rock Kiss world, compared to the first two, (especially Rock Addiction - which was instant, delicious Foxie gratification), this was a slow burn of a book, but once it took off, there was no stopping T-Rex. I'm so looking forward to the next in the series.  

You don't have to read these in order, as the stories are told concurrently , but I do recommend it as it paces nicely with the full on rock star loving of Rock Addiction, to the build up of Rock Courtship and then into the slow sexiness of Rock Hard. I tip my stapler to you Nalini, brilliant as always!

I was given a copy of Rock Hard for review. The opinions in the above review are my own and were given freely and honestly.  

The Rock Kiss Series

Rock Addiction (Book One) Rock Kiss Series

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/WqA2rj

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1G9piir

Nook: http://bit.ly/1t5T7Zt

iTunes:  http://bit.ly/1ng9zE9

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1lPqB19

Rock Courtship (bk 1.5) A Rock Kiss Novel: 

• Amazon US: http://amzn.to/XXjjxG
• Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1G9pmhZ
  iBooks: http://bit.ly/1lzgNIi
• Nook: http://bit.ly/1COgaC6
• Kobo: http://bit.ly/1pEeCy6
• 
  
  Rock Hard (Book Two) Rock Kiss Series
• Amazon US:  http://amzn.to/1BXhHWB

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1G9oslz

iBooks:  http://bit.ly/1utQDee

Nook: http://bit.ly/1KEyBIx

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1APyqnU

 Author Information

NEW YORK TIMES AND USA Today bestselling author of the Psy-Changeling and Guild Hunter series Nalini Singh usually writes about hot shapeshifters and dangerous angels. This time around, she decided to write about hot and wickedly tempting rock stars (and one gorgeous ex-rugby player). If you’re seeing a theme here, you’re not wrong.

Nalini lives and works in beautiful New Zealand, and is passionate about writing. If you’d like to explore her other books, you can find lots of excerpts on her website. Slave to Sensation is the first book in the Psy-Changeling series, while Angels’ Blood is the first book in the Guild Hunter series. Also, don't forget to swing by the site to check out the special behind-the-scenes page for the Rock Kiss series, complete with photos of many of the locations used in the books.

STALK HER:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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