nursenblack

Has anyone read the new release The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan? It sounds really interesting, but reviews are pretty mixed.

Finished May 31st #22 Living Dead In Dallas (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 2) by Charlaine Harris (via Kindle per libarary loan) In the second book of the southern vampire series, Sookie Stackhouse discovers the body of a Merlotte's coworker in the car of detective, Andy Bellefleur. But that isn't all that keeps Sookie busy. There's a meanad (a wild mythological creature) on the loose in the woods, and Sookie has been summoned to Dallas for her services. As entertaining as this second novel was, especially any scene involving Eric, the plot was all over the place and absoultely random. Despite this, for now, I will keep going with the series. (2/5)

Finished May 22nd #21 The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings synopsis from amazon.com "Fortunes have changed for the King family, descendants of Hawaiian royalty and one of the state’s largest landowners. Matthew King’s daughters—Scottie, a feisty ten-year-old, and Alex, a seventeen-year-old recovering drug addict—are out of control, and their charismatic, thrill-seeking mother, Joanie, lies in a coma after a boat-racing accident. She will soon be taken off life support. As Matt gathers his wife’s friends and family to say their final goodbyes, a difficult situation is made worse by the sudden discovery that there’s one person who hasn’t been told: the man with whom Joanie had been having an affair. Forced to examine what they owe not only to the living but to the dead, Matt, Scottie, and Alex take to the road to find Joanie’s lover, on a memorable journey that leads to unforeseen humor, growth, and profound revelations." Unfortunately, I probably would never have discovered this novel if it hadn't been for the movie. I wanted to read it before watching the movie and am so glad I did. I found The Descendants engaging, funny and sad. I can't wait to read what comes next from Hemmings. (4/5)

Finished May 13th #20 Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 1) by Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse, a waitress at a bar and grill, can hear others' thoughts, and works very hard to keep them out of her head. That's why she never dates and almost everyone in the town of Bon Temps thinks she's crazy. But when she discovers a vampire sitting at one of her tables, her life takes a dangerous path and everyone she cares for is at risk. I can't belive that it's taken me so long to jump on the "True Blood" books bandwagon. Dead Until Dark is definitely a guilty pleasure. It isn't poignant or inspiring, but it's just darn fun. I will be reading book two very soon. (3/5)

Finished May 5th #19 A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (via Kindle per library loan) synopsis from amazon.com "An unflinching, darkly funny, and deeply moving story of a boy, his seriously ill mother, and an unexpected monstrous visitor. At seven minutes past midnight, thirteen-year-old Conor wakes to find a monster outside his bedroom window. But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting-- he's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments. The monster in his backyard is different. It's ancient. And wild. And it wants something from Conor. Something terrible and dangerous. It wants the truth. From the final idea of award-winning author Siobhan Dowd-- whose premature death from cancer prevented her from writing it herself-- Patrick Ness has spun a haunting and darkly funny novel of mischief, loss, and monsters both real and imagined." I loved A Monster Calls, a children's novel with a grownup theme that is lyrical, sad and true. Definitely a modern classic that will become timeless. (5/5)

Finished April 29th #18 Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James synopsis from amazon.com "When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms. Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires. Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever." I must admit that I was looking very forward to reading Fifty Shades of Grey, even though it is not my typical read. I have never, purposely, read anything labeled "erotic romance", until now. What began as Twilight fan fiction, though it has nothing to do with vampires, has become a tour de force on its own, with most readers either loving or loathing it. Personaly, my feelings are mixed. On one hand, I found the novel interesting, maybe a bit unrealistic, but absorbing. On the other hand, I wanted to shake Ana, the main character, until her teeth rattled (maybe the novel was a bad influence ), and throw the book down and stomp it. I'm actually pretty mad at myself for wanting to know what's going to happen next. I'm going to hang my head shamefully when I buy the other two books. (3/5)

Finished April 24th #17 Pure by Julianna Baggott Pure is a unique post-apocalyptic novel packed full of action and drama. The Wretches, the unluckly people who were outside of the Dome during the "Detonations" are fused with objects, dirt, and even each other. But the lucky ones, the ones untouched by the bombs, live in comfort inside the dome, pure. I found Pure very intriguing and so much darker and graphic than the typical dystopian/post-apocalyptic (not sure if it's catergorized as young adult) novel. I'm looking forward to the rest of the trilogy. (4/5)

I read Divergent last year and liked it. I haven't bought Insurgence yet. Seems like many second books start out slow, but when they pick up it's hard to put them down.

I can't wait to see what you think of The Marriage Plot. I really enjoyed Middlesex, but that is the only one of Eugenides's I've read.

I love the Little House books! These Happy Golden Years was always my favorite because it was the most romantic.

There was a low droning overhead a week or so after the Detonations; time was hard to track. Pure by Julianna Baggott

#16 But I Love Him by Amanda Grace Anna knows what buttons send her boyfriend, Conner, into a rage, but as the relationship progresses it becomes harder and harder to say and do the right thing. She's pushed everyone away just to be with Conner- to be needed. But I Love Him begins at the end of the toxic romance and is told in reverse chronological order to the very beginning. This novel from the very first sentence enthralled me: "I lie in pieces on the floor." Anna's voice is so true and unpretentious that I can't help but like her even though I want to shake her. Even Conner, the villain of the story, is undeniably human, but terribly wounded to the point of cruelty. A fast, but engrossing must read for young adults (adults too, of course). (5/5)

#15 Nevermore by Kelly Creagh synopsis from amazon.com "A page-turning psychological mystery that is equal parts horror, humor, and romance, Nevermore is the story of Varen—a Poe fan and Goth—and Isobel—a cheerleader and unlikely heroine. When an English Lit. project pairs the two, Isobel finds herself swept into Varen’s world, one that he has created in his notebook and in his mind, one where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life. Isobel slowly learns that dreams and words can be much more powerful than she’d ever imagined. As labels of “Goth” and “cheerleader” fade away, Isobel and Varen slip into a consuming romance, braced against the ever-clearer horror that the most chilling realities are those within our own minds. When Isobel has a single chance to rescue Varen from the shadows of his nightmares, will she be able to save him—and herself?" "" Oh, where to begin with Nevermore? I really liked the idea of this YA novel, Edgar Allen Poe and nightmare worlds, but the execution was beyond dissapointing. I almost abandoned it midway through because it seemed utterly pointless. The only section that I found remotely interesting was the last quarter of the book. This book was 543 pages, in which the first 300 pages or so had almost nothing to do with the climax of the story. By the end, I didn't even care. I definitely won't be picking up the sequel. (1/5)

I dragged my husband to The Hunger Games movie last Saturday and we both enjoyed it. If I could only get him to read the books! There were some things I think could have been expanded on, but, overall, I think the film makers did the best they could with the time they had, or otherwise we'd been watching a Gone With the Wind length film for an average size book. I really can't wait till this comes out on DVD.

Nicholas Sparks is my "will never read again" author. I find his writing mediocre and a bit too gimmicky. I read The Notebook first, which I thought lacked the emotion that I admired in the movie. I have read three others since then- I wanted to give him a chance- and couldn't manage to read them without gagging on the dribble at least once. Sorry to the fans, but it also bothers me when a movie is already being filmed before the novel has even been released ( e.g. The Last Song).

Finished March 31st #14 The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey synopsis from amazon.com "When her widower father drowns at sea, Gemma Hardy is taken from her native Iceland to Scotland to live with her kind uncle and his family. But the death of her doting guardian leaves Gemma under the care of her resentful aunt, and it soon becomes clear that she is nothing more than an unwelcome guest at Yew House. When she receives a scholarship to a private school, ten-year-old Gemma believes she's found the perfect solution and eagerly sets out again to a new home. However, at Claypoole she finds herself treated as an unpaid servant. To Gemma's delight, the school goes bankrupt, and she takes a job as an au pair on the Orkney Islands. The remote Blackbird Hall belongs to Mr. Sinclair, a London businessman; his eight-year-old niece is Gemma's charge. Even before their first meeting, Gemma is, like everyone on the island, intrigued by Mr. Sinclair. Rich (by Gemma's standards), single, flying in from London when he pleases, Hugh Sinclair fills the house with life. An unlikely couple, the two are drawn to each other, but Gemma's biggest trial is about to begin: a journey of passion and betrayal, redemption and discovery, that will lead her to a life of which she's never dreamed. Set in Scotland and Iceland in the 1950s and '60s, The Flight of Gemma Hardy—a captivating homage to Charlotte BrontË's Jane Eyre—is a sweeping saga that resurrects the timeless themes of the original but is destined to become a classic all its own." To start, I have mixed feelings about The Flight of Gemma Hardy. I do enjoy reading books inspired by classic literature, and Gemma Hardy is well written. However, to call this novel a homage to Jane Eyre is an understatement. It follows the plot of the classic almost to the letter with only a change to detail and a different time period, but with less passion and with . I really enjoyed the first half of the book, but the second half just ruined it for me and left me thinking, "What was the point in that?". I'm no expert, but I think a good 100 pages or so could have been cut from this novel to make it a better read. (2/5)

Oh, my! That cracks me up!

#13 The Poison Diaries: Nightshade by Maryrose Wood synopsis from amazon.com "Sixteen-year-old Jessamine Luxton is heartbroken. Her true love, Weed, the strange but intriguing young man who came into her life so suddenly, has disappeared. How could he have left her with no farewell, and no word since? Jessamine may not know why Weed vanished, but she does suspect that her own father, Thomas, may have had something to do with it. Thomas, who was so obsessed with Weed’s secret knowledge of dangerous plants that he would do anything to learn it. This suspicion—and her experiences with poisons—has changed her. She is no longer innocent, and now she has her own intimate knowledge of the power of the plants. So when Jessamine learns that Weed is alive, she will do whatever it takes to be reunited with him. She is, after all, her father’s daughter. . . . " In the second book of The Poison Diaries, Nightshade, Jessamine is under the Prince of Poisons influence, and will do anything he says if it will lead her to beloved, Weed...even murder. I liked the first book well enough to see what was in store for the two lovers, but for me, Nightshade was a disappointment. Jessamine becomes so flawed that she is weak and unlikeable, while, thankfully, Weed's character improves. This sequel, though sensuous, is all doom and gloom. (2/5)

Finished March 13th #12 Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver In the second book of the Delirium trilogy, Pandemonium, Lena learns the ways of the Wilds and joins the resistance. The novel begins where the other book left off and each chapter switches from then to now. The drama, suspense, and romance make this a riveting read. Though, in my opinion, the start is a bit slow, but the second half and especially the end, make up for it. I'm still reeling from the ending. I can't believe I have to wait a year for Requiem! (5/5)

One that comes to my mind is Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens. I liked it much better than the more popular Great Expectations.

Finished March 5th #10 Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo In Jane Austen Ruined My Life, English professor Emma Grant is an expert on, and slightly obsessed with, Jane Austen. After losing her job and divorcing her cheating husband, Emma decides she is done believing in Austen's happy endings. Her opportunity to change her life comes when she's requested to visit England to see Austen's lost letters. Finally, she can reinstate her career, put happily ever after behind her, and expose Jane Austen as a liar. But when the owner of the letters sends Emma on a series of tasks, Emma finds herself in a moral delimma and in a romance with an old friend. This is an easy, rainy day kind of read that is a must for Austen fans. I thought it was fun, but believable enough to make the reader accept the "lost letters" as fact. (3/5) Finished March 8th #11 Dead Is The New Black by Marlene Perez (via Kindle) synopsis from amazon.com Welcome to Nightshade, California—a small town full of secrets. It’s home to the pyschic Giordano sisters, who have a way of getting mixed up in mysteries. During their investigations, they run across everything from pom-pom-shaking vampires to shape-shifting boyfriends to a clue-spewing jukebox. With their psychic powers and some sisterly support, they can crack any case! Teenage girls are being mysteriously attacked all over town, including at Nightshade High School, where Daisy Giordano is a junior. When Daisy discovers that a vampire may be the culprit, she can’t help but suspect head cheerleader Samantha Devereaux, who returned from summer break with a new “look.” Samantha appears a little . . . well, dead, and all the most popular kids at school are copying her style. Is looking dead just another fashion trend for Samantha, or is there something more sinister going on? To find out, Daisy joins the cheerleading squad. Dead is the New Black, the first of a paranormal, young adult series, is about Nightshade, a strange town where a soul-sucking vampire is on the loose attacking teenage girls. Daisy, the typical girl from a not so typical family, tries to save the day in between dating her new boyfriend and becoming a new cheerleader. The novel begins interestingly enough, but the plot takes too many convenient turns with randomness tossed in. That isn't so bad, except when combined with some bad dialog and clichéd and repetitive inner monologue. Not horrible, but I think I'll skip the rest of the series. (2/5)

Has anyone read The Companion by Ann Granger. I had written it down years ago on a list. There is a copy at my library, but I wonder if it is worth my time.

Finished March 2nd #9 Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare synospsis from amazon.com "In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street—and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends. " With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them." Clockwork Prince, the second book of The Infernal Devices, blew me away. I enjoyed Clockwork Angel, but, for me, this sequel was even more dramatic and passionate. I fell deeper in love with the characters and felt ther anguish and joy more keenly. I can't stand to wait for Clockwork Princess. (5/5)

Finished Feb. 18th #8 Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin (via library loan) synopsis from amazon.com "Rachel White is the consummate good girl. A hard-working attorney at a large Manhattan law firm and a diligent maid of honor to her charmed best friend Darcy, Rachel has always played by all the rules. Since grade school, she has watched Darcy shine, quietly accepting the sidekick role in their lopsided friendship. But that suddenly changes the night of her thirtieth birthday when Rachel finally confesses her feelings to Darcy's fiance, and is both horrified and thrilled to discover that he feels the same way. As the wedding date draws near, events spiral out of control, and Rachel knows she must make a choice between her heart and conscience. In so doing, she discovers that the lines between right and wrong can be blurry, endings aren't always neat, and sometimes you have to risk everything to be true to yourself. The smash-hit debut novel for every woman who has ever had a complicated love-hate friendship." Something Borrowed is not my typical read, yet I found it to be a delightful change to my usual selection. I really found myself rooting for Rachel, the heroine who is also committing a villainous act- having an affair with her best friend's fiancée. I had absolutely no sympathy for Darcy, the self-centered best friend, and kind of glad Rachel was sticking it to her, even if it was secretly. Maybe it is because I saw the movie first. Fun read with a not so typical chic-lit plot. (4/5)

Finished Feb. 14th # 7 The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen (via library loan) synopsis from amazon.com "It’s the dubious distinction of thirty-year-old Willa Jackson to hail from a fine old Southern family of means that met with financial ruin generations ago. The Blue Ridge Madam—built by Willa’s great-great-grandfather and once the finest home in Walls of Water, North Carolina—has stood for years as a monument to misfortune and scandal. Willa has lately learned that an old classmate—socialite Paxton Osgood—has restored the house to its former glory, with plans to turn it into a top-flight inn. But when a skeleton is found buried beneath the property’s lone peach tree, long-kept secrets come to light, accompanied by a spate of strange occurrences throughout the town. Thrust together in an unlikely friendship, united by a full-blooded mystery, Willa and Paxton must confront the passions and betrayals that once bound their families—and uncover the truths that have transcended time to touch the hearts of the living." I've been a fan of Sarah Addison Allen's since I read her first novel, Garden Spells. Her novels are fun and magical, and The Peach Keeper is no exception. This wasn't my favorite, but I did enjoy it. I love this sentence from the first chaper: "If anyone had been paying attention to the signs, they would have realized that air turns white when things are about to change, that paper cuts mean there's more to what's written on the page than meets the eye, and that birds are always out to protect you from things you don't see." If your in the mood for an easy, entertaining read, then this is one to try. (3/5)