March Wrap-Up

March was nothing short of a fantastic reading month.  I had been in an epic slump since 2014 began.  I don't know if something in the Spring air(or forever summer, I live in Miami afterall) made me devour books at the rate I did.  But I can honestly say, I am never happier than when I read a great book and this month was FULL of great books.  In total I read 17 books: 3 Children's Books, 2 Novella's, 1 Adult Contemporary re-read, 8 YA books, 1 Lady Porn,  and 1 Middle Grade.

 

All ratings can be found on my Goodreads profile.

 



 

The Kissing Booth by Beth Reekles

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Fracture Me by Tahereh Mafi

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

 

Dream Animals: A Bedtime Story by Emily Winfield Martin

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce

The Dark by Lemony Snickett

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms: Magic, Mystery and a Very Strange Adventure by Lissa Evans

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

The Trouble With Being a Duke by Sophie Barnes

Austenland by Shannon Hale

Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberh

Adorkable by Sara Manning

Better of Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

My summer of reading

I hunkered down this summer with my Nook and NookColor (yes, I am one lucky little duck) and read my heart out.  Of course my genre of choice was YA fiction, I can't help that at heart I am really a 15 year old girl.  All in all I read about 12 1/2 books (I'll explain in a moment).  Not too shabby considering that I really didn't focus too much on reading until July.

Sense & Sensibility

       

I was extremely disappointed with Marvels comic version of Pride and Prejudice, I felt that while the story was adequately interpreted the illustrator missed the WHOLE point.  There was massive cleavage, noticeable make-up, and just a completely wrong look for my favorite of Ms. Austen's works.  So, as can be expected I was hesitant to pick up Sense & Sensibility.  But anyone who knows me at all knows that when it comes to Jane Austen I have to have it (sometimes to my own detriment).  When I finally picked it up to read I devoured it.  I was so relieved that this time around they got it right!  The story was true to the original and the characters were all a regency lover like myself could have wanted.  This is one literature to comic re-imagining that I highly recommend.

The Goddess Test

This book ties for first place in my favorite reads of the summer.  I am a big fan of Mythology.  Last year I read a great re-envisioning of the Greek myths and was convinced that that series was as good as it was going to get. Then came The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter.  From the first page I was glued to the book.  This gem is one of the few books that I actually purchased in traditional printed page format and was so wrapped up in the story that I lugged it around with me all weekend until I finished.  There is something so compelling about stories that have the potential of ending tragically and this one has such a clever twist at the end that you can't believe you didn't catch on sooner. 

The Best Intentions

An Affair of Honor

A Proper Companion

A Change of Heart

 I, as previously mentioned, am a huge fan of Regency Era stories.  Romances are particularly enticing to me.  As a matter of fact one of the main reasons I wanted to get a Nook was so I could read my "lady porn" as I lovingly refer to Romance novels without censure or judgement.  When I found these "classic" regency romances by Candice Hern and the rave reviews that they had received I knew I was in for a treat.  I honestly couldn't believe that I had never stumbled upon her work before.  She is the epitome of the kind of writer that I like: Revisits old characters, links her stories, big on the romance, light on the sex.  It was no wonder I read all three in three days.

Something Borrowed

 
Love Off-Limits

Confession:  This romantic comedy series is my guiltiest pleasure in a long list of guilty pleasure.  I commonly refer to them as my bubble gum break.  So guilty in fact that I refuse to share them.  I can't help loving these oh-so-innocent forays into first love.   In all honesty they can get a bit trying when the characters (mostly teenagers or college students) engage in antics that I myself realized at that age were probably not the best ideas.  But their sweet charm is enough to keep me coming back for more.  If I had to venture a guess I would say I have read about 12 from the series.  Yes, it's shameful but it feels sooooo good.

Soulless: The Parasol Protectorate

 This is my other favorite book of the summer.  I honestly couldn't put it down.  It seemed to gather everything I adore about the escapist literature that I so often turn to into one book. Vampires, Werewolves, Sci-Fi, Victorian England, Romance, quick wit, all with a steampunk twist.  And that was only book one.  I immediately started on book two and am already on page 75.  Did I mention I finished this on Sunday?

Fools Rush In

 I hate it when I can't connect with a character.  I'm an event planner by trade so reading the synopsis of this book it seemed like a no-brainer.  But, I couldn't get through the book.  I felt that within the first couple of chapters I was slapped in the face by a Bible.  There is nothing wrong with being religious but there is such a thing as over saturating the reader with religious context when the book synopsis doesn't come close to mentioning it.  This is what appears on Goodreads: 

Ever wonder how Italian sounds with a Southern drawl?Bella Rossi's life is just starting to get interesting. When her Italian-turned-Texan parents hand over the family wedding-planning business, Bella quickly books a Boot-Scootin' wedding that would make any Texan proud. There's only one catch--she doesn't know a thing about country music. Where will she find a deejay on such short notice who knows his Alan Jackson from his George Strait? And will Bella ever get to plan her own wedding?
Fun, fresh, and full of surprises, this flavorful combination of Italian and Tex-Mex highlights the hilarity that ensues when cultures clash.

For obvious reasons I was taken a back by the complete change in programming, I hate not finishing a book, but there it is.

Cinder & Ella

This book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

The cover art instantly captured me and I was really excited about tucking into this obvious retelling of the classic story of Cinderella.  What can I say about it except that aside from the title and one or two references the book is nothing like the original.  I tried to love it.  I really did.  I wanted to connect with Cinder and Ella but the story honestly felt disjointed to me.  The author seemed to try to tell a story that was so different from the original that she lost her way.  It did start out promising and when I thought "okay, it's going to pick up now," it never did.  It took me the longest to get through this one of all the books I read this summer and was left feeling like the story could have been so much more.

Princess of Glass

The second of three physical books purchased this summer.  I couldn't help myself while killing some time at B&N.  I had just finished reading Cinder & Ella and wanted something to wash the taste out of my mouth.  Having not read the authors first book in the series (I honestly had no idea it was series until I stumbled onto the information on Goodreads) I felt a teensy bit lost in the first couple of chapters but as the story progressed and the history of the main character was explained I was completely enraptured.  What a great homage to Cinderella.  As opposed to the previous book which I felt screamed it was a re-telling and then dissapointed all around this one just told you it was a fairytale and paid tribute to Cinderella in its own way.

Spellbound

This book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

I previously wrote a full review for this great debut a few weeks ago.  I liked it so much I bought one for my 13 year old cousins birthday (she's also a rabid reader).  She devoured it in one day.

Pocket Posh Jane Austen

This is my 1/2 a book, because technically it's not a book in the traditional sense of the word, it's a puzzle compendium (I think that's the word) that uses all of Jane Austens books as well as incorporating different facts from the time period to make one very interesting time filler.  For Austen fans this is really a must have.  

Dying of Antici...Pation Monday's

Despite the fact that I have about a billion books on my shelf and Nook that I have yet to read and about eight that I am currently in the middle of, there are always a ton that I can't wait for.  I count down the days, pre-order them wait impatiently for them and then let them sit on my shelf or on my Nook while I finish the books that I am currently reading.  Its a problem people.  I have too much on my plate and not enough time to dedicate to my first and real love Reading.

But, despite that I wanted to start a regular feature where I let you all in on the reads that I am dying for. (extra points if you caught the Rocky reference in the title)

 I was not all about this series when I first picked it up.  The first half of the first book gave me the heeby-jeebies and then by the last chapter I coudln't put it down.  By the time I was done with the third book I wanted to cry that the series was over.  Then she announced a prequel and then a fourth book.  It was like dear sweet Cassie had heard my prayers.

 The second book in the prequel to the Mortal Instruments.  I am saving Book One until Book Two comes out, do not ask for my insane logic but basically I don't want to wait months to figure out the resolution to the cliffhanger ending.

 I couldn't be sadder that this series is coming to a close.  Much like the Vampire Academy series it is one that I feel has truly grown with the characters.  I understand that Young Adult fiction is not for everyone but I love some bubble gum amidst my Classic Lit. and there is nothing better than fairy flavored bubble gum.

 I'm reading part two now.  So good.  So good.  I love how suspensefully dark this series is and can't wait for the third.

 Medusa's daughter, yes, please.

Regency romance and intrigue all wrapped up (pun intended) in what looks to be a tight little teen lit package.  I think this is going to be a sweet little and quick read for me. 

What's on my Reader

I am an avid reader, what does that mean? Well, I am usually in the middle of  two or twelve books at one time...this is a problem.  Because not only am I a reader I am also a collector of books.  So my shelves buckle from the load.  And then to add insult to injury, last year I got a Nook for Christmas.  It's like someone was purposely trying to drain my bank account.  I already give hundreds of dollars to Barnes and Nobles and Amazon on a regular but c'est la vie. 

Sometimes I start a book a don't finish (this, I must clarify, is VERY rare) unless I absolutely hate a story, or do not connect with the characters I must know how it ends.  But that being said, I wanted to share what I am reading and fill you guys in on a semi-regular basis.  (semi being one of my favorite words if you haven't noticed). So here goes nothing:

On the Nook

As much as I love and I mean LOVE vampire lit, I have never read the original in its entirety.  I know shameful, go ahead, slap my hand.  I am still at the beginning of the book and its the part that I read before which makes me wonder why I ever stopped reading it the first time around.  I absolutely love it.

I had been wanting to pick up this book for as long as I could remember. All I heard was positive reviews, how amazing it was, etc.  I have to say the book is exceptional but for me, I can only handle it in small doses.  Maybe 40 pages at one time.  And for a quick reader like me who loves devouring books I don't know how to feel about that.  I am going to table my critique until I have finished reading it.

 I read the first in the series about a Fallen Angel and was entertained enough to pick up the second.  Not necessarily enough to recommend it to all my friends but I know the ones who will appreciate it,  Unfortunately, its on my Nook.  Both books are and none of my friends have Nooks.

 This was a spur of the moment I want a laugh buy.  Very unlike me.  With the possible exception of George Carlin, I don't do comedy reading.  But I find this surprisingly endearing and funny when I'm in that kind of mood.

This will be the last in the series that I read.  I feel like I have been a loyal reader of the series but honestly it has dragged out too far for me.  I am not their target audience and the teenage angst finally got me in this one.  I am struggling with every page.  I am really not sure if I will even be able to finish it. 

Actual Books

 So confession, I'm an Austenite.  A huge one.  I not only love and collect different copies of her original work but I also read remakes and continuations of the stories.  It's kind of the only alternative left to a true addict when the main source of their addiction has been taken away.  This is probably my third "so and so's Diary" written by Amanda Grange and I really do enjoy them.  They give a surprisingly new perspective on the story without changing the root of it.  Very refreshing.

 Followers of my personal blog, Ramblings of a Semi-Literate Mind will know that I don't drive.  I am also super phobic of basically, well, the universe.  That being said I am happily in therapy and conquering my fears daily.  The driving still eludes me.  But this book, well this book sucked me in when I found out that the author also had a fear of driving and part of her Happiness Project was conquering that fear.  Its my most recent pick-up.

 I have mixed feelings about Mr. Coelho on one end of the spectrum he writes one of my all time favorite books, Eleven Minutes, and on the other, he writes one of the arguably most well respected and most inspirational books of our time.  Which I hate.  Yup, I said it, I hate The Alchemist.  Sorry folks.  I know its changed lives, but I was underwhelmed.  I got the message behind it I did.  It just didn't do it for me.  I wanted something different of his to read, something that would reignite that  fire that I had for him with Eleven Minutes.  I love Inspirations. 

 I read Graphic Novels all the time.  Everyone needs their bubble gum amidst their daily routine and serious reads...although, lets be real, most of my reads aren't all that serious. 

Okay, so I've been tackling this monster for what seems like ages.  But I refuse, refuse to give up.  I am obsessed with learning about Henry VIII and I know more than one should probably know but find this book to be ridiculously good despite the fact that all know so much.  The page count is DAUNTING and I read it once in a blue moon.  But I will never give up.  Goonies never say die!!

How many books are you reading?  Please tell me I am not the only crazy who reads ten at a time.

Sunday Series: The Bridgerton Series by Julia Quinn

The Duke and I - The Viscount Who Loved Me - An Offer From A Gentleman - Romancing Mr. Bridgerton - To Sir Phillip, With Love - When He Was Wicked - It's In His Kiss - On the Way to the Wedding

I've always been a series kind of girl.  I love being able to pick up a book and read about a brother, sister, son, cousin.  I started reading this series from book 2 and was so thoroughly in love with this family that I read the remaining seven in the series along with the Second Epilogues within three days.  All regency romances that takes place over 15 years you really get to experience the lives of all eight siblings. 

Picking my favorite seems like an impossible task but if I absolutely had to - at gunpoint mind you - I would pick...

I seriously couldn't recommend this series more.

Weekend Roundup

Its very easy for me to hole up in my bedroom with my one click book shopping on my Nook and plow through books.  Thats exactly what I did yesterday and today.  So here's my first weekend roundup:


The Earl and the Governess by Sarah Elliott

Hmmm, where to begin with William and Isabelle.  To be honest I almost didn't pick it up because of the hero's name, sore spot.  The story started much like you would come to expect. He sees her on the street and decides that he can be of use to the beautiful and helpless creature standing in the middle of such a dangerous neighborhood.

I didn't love that she was so unable to do anything for herself, and found myself thinking that everything bad that happened to her was for a reason.  Words Isabelle tells William at the end of the book.  I laughed out loud at that.

Overall it wasn't a bad read, I found myself really enjoying it towards the end when they went to the cottage in the country.  I find I grow tired of stories that center around London and the ridiculousness that was society at that time.  But at the same time I love it and find myself drawn over and over again to stories that center around a debutantes debut in London.  I picked up The Earl and the Governess because it was different.  I would recommend it as a light snack.  Nothing to really sink your teeth into but good enough when something more appetizing isn't available.

Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale

Trev and Callista.  I can honestly say that I really really enjoyed this book.  It had bits of the ridiculous in the story but I can't help but be a complete sucker for stories where the hero has long standing feelings for the heroine.

From the moment they start waltzing in the first chapter I was a goner.  A cattle farming heroine a booky hero and quite the insane turn of events lead to a really charming story.  I loved the ease of their rapport, the back story of their teen years was so sweet and sad.  It had the oddest array of characters I have found in a story and at times found that their were bits that weren't explained enough for my liking but overall it was a great read.

I would highly recommend this romance to anyone in the mood for a bit of fun.

To Good to be True by Kristan Higgins

As I said I've been on a historical romance kick so it felt rather odd to pick up this contemporary romance.  I wanted a brief vacation from all the ballrooms and debutantes and I definitely got it with this one.

As contemporary romances go it was cute.  It took the oh so handsome Callahan and slightly grating Grace a lot longer to get together than one would think and it was all because of a pretty major plot point that to be honest annoyed me to death.

Aside from that I enjoyed the story and the side stories of her two sisters and parents love lives as well.  I was instantly all about Cal as soon as they introduced him breaking into the house next door.  I loved Angus possible because he reminded me so much of my own ball of fur, I couldn't help smiling every time Angus did something mischievous.  If I had one general critique about contemporary romances its this:  Please do not create a reason for the hero/heroine argue and separate.  Its not necessary, every single couple doesn't break up, they work through the problems and that is just so unrealistic and annoying.  Other than that it was a cute story mostly fluff but good fluff you know.

The Earl's Forbidden Ward by Bronwyn Scott

I wasn't quite sure how I'd feel about this book.  I picked it up a bit creeped out by the idea of the Earl ending up with his ward Tessa.  It was a bit too pedophilic (if thats even a word) for my tastes but once the story began and I realized that he wasn't really what he appeared to be I got more comfortable with it and settled in for a good and quick read.

She was headstrong as most regency romance heroine's tend to be but she didn't rub me the wrong way.  I've been on a romance kick lately so this fit the bill nicely.  Just enough smut to keep me happy without making me flip the pages because I'm disgusted with the crazy amount of sex in it.

Overall a good read.  I found myself wanting to stay with the characters and am happy to discover that Ms. Scott (a pen name by the way) will be continuing the story with the Earl's younger brother Paine and one of Tessa's younger sisters.