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Thursday, June 30, 2016

Book Review: Eve by Anna Carey

Time to review another book and this one is a good one :)  Let's do it:

Eve by Anna Carey


Sixteen years after a deadly virus wiped out most of Earth's population, the world is perilous place.  Eve is 18 years old and she hasn't ever been beyond the heavily guarded perimeter of her school.  The school where her and the other two hundred orphaned girls have been promised a future as teachers and artists of the New America.  But the night before her graduation, Eve learns the raw and shocking truth about her school's real purpose, and the horrifying fate that awaits her.

Fleeing the only place and home she's ever know, Eve goes on a journey to find a place she can survive.  Along the way she finds Arden, one of the girls from her school and Caleb, a rough and rebellious boy living in the wild.  Never have met men in her whole life and have been taught to fear them, she tries to avoid him, but the wild is no place she wants to be by herself so she goes with Caleb and slowly starts to trust him.  And soon he also wins her heart forever.  Caleb promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin to hunting them Eve must make the hardest decision, protection or true love?

This book?  OMG, it had been a while since I had read a distopian book full of action throughout the whole entire book, it had me on the hedge of my seat all the time.  I just couldn't put this book down, I needed to know what was going to happen, there was so much going on that I didn't know how it was going to end and that is what makes a good book.

Rating? 5 out of 5 stars, this is not a new series, this book came out in 2011, I know, I know...why hadn't I read it yet?  No clue,  I had the books on my shelf for a while, no excuse.  Did I mention that I read this book in less than 24 hours?  Oh yeah, that good.  Totally recommend.

XOXO,

Nelia

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Book Review: Awake by Natasha Preston

It's Book Review Tuesday and that means it's time to review another book, I'm reviewing another book that I got from NetGalley (Thank You NetGalley).  Let's do this:

Awake by Natasha Preston

Awake

Scarlett is our main character and she doesn't remember anything before the age of four.  Her parents tell her that was the fault of a car accident and she lives such a good and happy life that she doesn't mind at all.  That is until she meets Noah, the new boy at school.  They become friends right away and fall in love right away (urgh).  He is really nice boy and wants to meet her parents right away and brings her and her parents to meet his parents right away (weird? YEAH), anyway, they start to go out and spend lots and lots of time together.  He never pressures her to do anything, I mean anything at all.  The only thing that he wants to know is about her past, he keeps asking Scarlett about what happened to her before the age of four and even though she tells him that she doesn't remember he keeps asking until she starts to remember bits and pieces of her past and starts to ask questions to her parents.  Questions that will lead her to a past that would have been better left there, the past.  Because her past has a secret that can get her killed.

I don't want to give too much away because I don't want to spoil too much, but I also don't want you to go into it too blind either like I did.  When I read the synopsis I thought it was going to be a mystery and it was far off from it.  Scarlett secret will lead her to a cult and crazy, crazy stuff will happen from there.  And that's all I'm going to say.  

I ended up giving this book a 3 out of 5 stars, and maybe it was because I was disappointed and because I thought it was a mystery at first and I was craving one?  I don't know, but I have to say, be prepared for the stuff that happens with the cult people, because crazy doesn't cut.  Do I recommend?  If you like reading about cults and stuff like that?  You will probably really enjoy it and the up until then it was pretty interesting too.  

XOXO,

Nelia

Friday, June 24, 2016

Weekend Reads: Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Well, Hello Friday!!!  I'm so glad the weekend is here and this weekend we are going to the boat and that means we won't be doing much besides resting and soaking up the sun!  And for me that also means that I will get lots of reading done, YEEPEE :)

Here is the book that I will be reading;

Second Chance Summer by Megan Matson


I actually bought The Unexpected Everything and cannot wait to read but I want to read another book by Megan before I read the new one, last year I read Since You've Gone and LOVE it so I'm pretty sure that I'm going to enjoy her other books.  And I already own Amy & Roger's Epic Detour so I'll leave that one to read in next month.  

But before I jump into Second Chance Summer, I'm actually currently reading and will be finishing it tonight:

The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett


And I think that will be it for this weekend.  What are doing this weekend?  What books are you reading?

XOXO,

Nelia

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Book Review: Inside the Wall by A. Lotus

It's time for another Book Review and today's book I got an eBook from NetGalley (Thank You NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review).  Let's get to the review?

Inside the Wall by A. Lotus

INSIDE the Wall (The War in the Wall Series Book 1)

Can you imagine a world where people just stopped caring?  It would be a cruel world for sure and this book shows just that, scary?  Oh yeah, it is and it gets worse.

Letha and Nathan were best friends just like their moms were.  However, one day two dictators changed their world and their city.  How?  They overthrow the city, took the children captive and killed the parents.  The city was divide between the two dictators and they took those children and brainwashed, trained and sculpted them into soldiers.  And the reason they did that, was for these children to fight each other to see which side would win the city.

Letha rejects her new life she leads, she stays strong only to protect the ones younger than her.  She fights and blocks her feelings from those cruel adults that did that to her and those children around her.  Until they give her the ultimate task: Kill Nathan.  And if she doesn't, everyone, including herself, will die.

In a world where it seems that no one cares anymore, Letha struggles against herself to do the right thing and make the right choice.  Does she save herself?  Or does she try to save one young boy who has been brainwashed and hardened into another dictator's web?  It seems like no matter what choice she makes, it looks like she is going to lose someone she loves.

This was a cruel book, that was for sure and I like action in my books.  The beginning was a little slow but the second half was better and picked up the pace and there was a lot more happening.  The end was pretty good and left me wondering what will happen.  I know there is another book out and I may end up picking it up, we will see.  I gave it a 3.5 stars out of 5, it was good and I do recommend if you want a quick read and be prepared for some violence because you will get it on this one.  But, the cruelty of it was rash and I felt like something was missing, not sure what exactly, maybe I didn't connect as much to the characters as I should?  Yeah, I think that could be it.  Still good, though.

XOXO,

Nelia

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

2016 Summer Reading List

Summer is finally here, it has taken a while for the hot weather to arrive in New England but I think it's officially here to stay and I read it somewhere that this summer is going to be a hot one and this girl here is not going to complain. With Summer here I feel like we somehow have a little bit more time in the afternoons and evenings and I will be spending some of that extra time with my kids doing some fun stuff but I will be also spending that extra time resting and reading of course.

And because of that it's time to decide which books I want to read this summer, this list is not going to be all the books I want to read every single month for the Summer but just those books that I really want to get to this Summer.  So...here they are:

1. The Wrath and The Dawn-I have heard nothing but amazing things about this book and it's time to get to it and now with the 2nd book out I have no excuse not to read it.



2. Harry Porter (I really want to re read this series)-Ah, I can't believe that I haven't started it yet and I wanted it so bad, I promise that I'm sooo going to do it.



3. A Court of Mist and Fury-I loved the first one and I'm hearing from all over that this one is 10x times better than the 1st? Holly Molly do I need to read it.



4. The Winner's Kiss-I just finished reading the 2nd one a couple months ago and it's time that I finish this trilogy.



5. The Invasion of the Tearling-I remember reading the 1st book last Summer and loving it so I'm going to continue the tradition and read the 2nd book this Summer :)



6. The Raven Boys-Yes, I'm going to hop on the wagon and see what the fuss is all about it.



7. Wild-I need a little light adventure and I've been meaning to read this one for a while now and after after I finish reading I can watch the movie with one of my favorite actresses.



8. A Throne of Glass-Yeah, yeah, I know...you can't believe that I haven't started this series and I'm going to fix that by reading at least the first one this Summer.



9. We Were Liars-Another book that I've heard nothing but amazing things about and it takes place in New England?  Let's get the show started...



10. Ruby Red-This is another trilogy that I really want to read this year, so I'm going to try to at least read the first book this Summer, time travel?  Yes, please.



11. Burn for Burn-Another trilogy that I really want to get to it and I am, I promise.


That's all the books that I'm adding to my Summer list, I'm pretty sure I will add more, probably a lot more but I don't want to over do it and then don't read any of them.

What books to you want to read this Summer?  Any recommendations?  Have you read any of these?

XOXO,

Nelia




Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Book Review: Salem's Legacy by Aaron Galvin

I'm back with another Book Review Tuesday and today I'm back with a final book of a trilogy, who's ready?  Let's do this...

Salem's Legacy by Aaron Galvin


Final book of the Vengeance Trilogy and oh this book was good...wait, let me stop right here because I'm getting ahead of myself again and ahead of the review.  Back to the review...

Rebecca is back and she is back together with her brother and companions and they have just arrived in colonial Boston.  They are ready to bring vengeance against those of have caused the death of their loved ones.

One thing that Rebecca didn't see herself doing was aligning herself with strangers, people that she doesn't trust, the city is full of spies living her no choices.  While she is going around questioning people, she starts to find out that the plots that began is Salem goes much further than anyone can imagine and her actions which determine whether history attributes praise or blame to the true masterminds or Salem's legacy.

This book?  Holly Molly, it was raw and cruel and you never really new where it was going, that's for sure.  You knew what you wanted Rebecca to do but at the same time you didn't know how she was going to do, there were sooo many things at sake and so many characters at sake too.  Of course, lots of death and cruel deaths at that, some characters died that I wasn't expecting and some characters did get a happy ending, FINALLY.

Overall this was a great ending to a really great trilogy, I ended up giving 4 out of 5 stars to this book.  It did ended nicely but I wanted to see a little more into the future of Rebecca and how she is doing.  Do I recommend this Trilogy?  Heck yes, be prepared for a holler coaster ride because you will get one and don't get too attached to characters as you never know who is going to die.  And talking about death, expect lots of it and some crazy and raw and cruel ways. And finally, I just want to say that I loved the writing style, so easy to read and one of those styles that once you start reading you just can't put the book down.  So, if you are craving witchy book, start this trilogy now.

XOXO,

Nelia

Friday, June 17, 2016

Weekend Reads: Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine

Happy Father's Day to all the daddys out there!!!!  What are you doing this Father's Day Weekend?  I actually don't know what I'm doing, because I'm leaving up to my husband and Dad to decide what they want to do, so...I have left my weekend open.  Let's hope they are not going to drive me too crazy, right? lol

But here is the book that I'm currently reading and that I will be reading this weekend:

Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine-I got this one as an eARC from NetGalley a few months back and I haven't had a chance to read it yet but I am now and Oh am I enjoying it.  Can't wait to review it too :)


And if I finish this one in the middle of the weekend I will be jumping in to the second book of this trilogy?  That's what I have heard...Well, the second book is coming out July 5 of this year but I've got a eARC from NetGalley (Thank You NetGalley) so I don't have too wait and will be diving right in.

Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine


I'm really enjoying the first one so far, this is the first time I'm reading a book about books so...it's pretty new and interesting.

What are you currently reading?

XOXO,

Nelia

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Book Review: Salem's Fury by Aaron Galvin

When the Aaron Galvin contacted me because he had seeming my review on the first book of this trilogy, and asked me if I wanted to read the remaining two books and review them I didn't even had to think twice.  I loved the first book and I knew for sure that I wanted to continue with this trilogy at some point but when he contacted me that just meant that I was going to do it sooner rather than later and OMG am I happy that he did, it was sooo good.

If you are interested in the first book and want to see my review please see click here: Salem's Vengeance

So...let me stop babbling and get to the book review:

Salem's Fury by Aaron Galvin

Salem's Fury (Vengeance Trilogy: Book 2)

Sarah Kelly is back in this book and is has been living in the wilderness with the Miamiak.  But she still fears her father's sins and that those sins will eventually be revisited upon his children, meaning her and her little sister, Rebecca and their brother.  However, Rebecca thinks differently; she has been adopted by the Miamiak and raised in the wilderness so she shares no concerns to her previous father's sins.  Previous father, because to Rebecca her father is Sarah's husband, Priest.  He has been the one to teach her everything that she knows and she doesn't even remember what her real father looks like, forget about what his sins was, but Sarah is always there to remind Rebecca of it.

But history always comes back to haunt and condemn those who neglect the past and it happens one night when a war party comes to the Miamiak and demand their aid in avenging their fallen brothers against the white folk who attack a neighboring tribe.  The Miamiak offer their aid and together with the other tribe go to war.  And the story takes off from here.

Ah, I really don't want to spoil the story but, OMG be prepared for Aaron Galvin to tear your heart out again and again. How, as always no character is save and from the beginning of the book you will see as one of the main characters, or at least that's what you think, dies and more death happens throughout the book. When you thought that finally a character had found happiness and will probably be left behind, happy and everything but nope, no one and I mean this, NO ONE is save.

Besides never knowing what is going to happen to who in the story, another favorite thing that I loved about this book is our main girl, Rebecca and what Aaron did to her and her story.  I loved that it didn't focus on a romance, it focused on her and her family and what they had to do to stop the curse that was upon them.  Sometimes you just need a book that isn't about romance at all and that focus on family first and what they are fighting for and this book does just that.

And of course, the history, I really enjoyed how Aaron Galvin grabbed that part of Salem's history and made his own.  That was so well done.  And to finish it off, loved the writing too, so easy to read, once I was reading, I didn't want to put it down and those are the kind of writings that I like.

Let's end this review with my rating, 5 out of 5 stars.  Once I was done reading this book I was sooo ready to jump into book 3 and that was exactly what I did.

XOXO,

Nelia




Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Book Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Ah The Book Thief, this book gave me so many feelings and when I was reading the only thing that kept popping into my head was: Why hadn't I read this one sooner? It was an amazing read, one that kept me up because I couldn't put this book down...but let me stop right here and get to the review:

The Book Review by Markus Zusak


The story is told by a total different perspective that we usually are used to, it's told by death's perspective and at first I didn't think I was going to like it because of it but right after the first Chapter I was hooked and wanted more.  Why?  Because it was beautifully written, that's why.

So, let's get back to the book, Death is telling the story and the story is about an era that we all know about because we learn it at school; World War 2.  And right from the beginning we see our main character;  Liesel Meminger.  Liesel is a foster girl and she lives just outside of Munich.  At first she isn't too sure about her foster Mom and Dad, you see her trip to her foster family didn't start off that well, her little brother who was suppose to be fostered with her died on the way and that really hurts her even though you will learn that Liesel hides her emotions really well.  But as the months and years go by, Liesel learns to like her foster Mom and really love her foster Dad who goes out of his way to make her feel at home.

One of the things that Liesel can't control and tries to hide but ends up getting caught by her Dad is stealing books.  She has this little passion of wanting to learn how to read better and loving to hear stories.  Her foster Dad who isn't that great of a reader himself, sets up a learning space for Liesel and both of them get reading lessons and improve their reading; increasing her passion for reading more.

It is during bombing raids that Liesel gets to share with her neighbors her love for reading; right at the first bombing raid when everyone is scared Liesel starts to read out of one of books making everyone around her calm and from therefore all her neighbors expect Liesel to bring a book to the raids and read and that she does.

Another secret that Liesel is hidding a Jewish man in her basement.  You would never thought that Liesel's family would hide a Jew but that all is because of her father's past, things are exactly what they are.  Liesel takes a liking to the Jewish man and she does everything to make sure no one knows that he is hiding at her basement, but life happens and then one day he needs to move out of their house and that devastates Liesel.

Liesel takes it to reading and writing down in the basement where her friend used to be, the basement becomes a comforting place for Liesel and because of it, she is there when the worst bombing in her street happens changing her life forever.  That's all I'm going to say about the bombing as I don't want to spoil the book and what happens to Liesel during the bombing and after that also.  But, one thing that I will say be prepared to cry, because OMG did I cry, this book really broke my heart.

Do I recommend it?  Heck YES, I gave this book 5 stars and would give it more, a lot more.  I loved, loved the writing, Markus Zusack I give you a bow, this book was amazing.  This book is going down on my favorite books list for sure.  I did watch the movie, a few weeks later as I needed my heart to slow down a bit lol, and the movie was good too but there were so many things that didn't make it into the movie that I thought it was so major in the book.  But, am I surprised?  No, that's how most book to movie adaptions are and will always be, right?

So, to finish this really long review, I just have one more thing to say; if you haven't read this book, please do me and yourself a favor and go read it.

XOXO,

Nelia

Friday, June 10, 2016

Weekend Reads: The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson

Happy Friday and what a week I had, I've been sick this week and it sucks, that's the bottom line.  It's sunny out and it's just the wrong time to be sick, right?  AHHHHHH...okay, now that I let that one out, here is what I will be reading in bed while miserable lol

The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson

The Traitor Baru Cormorant

This book was recommend to me by a coworker and it's sooo good, I'm already half way and enjoying every little bit of it.  Can't wait to review this book!

What are you guys reading this weekend?

XOXO,

Nelia

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Book Review: The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton

Oh, this book review...so my son is on 7th grade and he was reading this book for his English class and he told me that I had to read it and of course I did and even though I had read this book when I was really young it was sooo good to read it again.  Let's review it?

The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton


Ponyboy lives in a world where there is two type of people, the Socs and the greasers.  Who are the Socs?  The Socs are the rich society kids who get away with anything they do.  And the greasers?  The greasers are the other kids just like Ponyboy, who aren't so lucky and because of that they get blamed for a lot of things, and because of that they also get in trouble for a lot of things.

Ponyboy still feels like he is pretty lucky, why?  Because there are a few things he can still count on, his older brothers and his friends.  The Socs are always causing trouble with the greasers, because an idea of good time from them is beating up the greasers.  The greasers try to stay out of their way but sometimes a greaser get caught and get beat up by the Socs and there is nothing you can do about it.

Ponyboy always knows what to expect from the Socs and his greasers friends and his life as one, but during one night things go too far and his life is changed forever.

This book was a quick and easy read but most importantly a great lesson for kids then and now.  I totally recommend this book, I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.  Yes, I had some minor issues with it, that I'm not going to go into it because I would spoil the book but overall it was still a great book and I would still recommend it.

Have you read it?  What did you think of it?

XOXO,

Nelia

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Book Review: November 9 by Colleen Hoover

Welcome back to another Book Review Tuesday and today's book review is another Colleen Hoover; Yeepee, let's get to it?  Let's go!

November 9 by Colleen Hoover


Fallon is moving across country, a move than took forever to make and when she finally made the decision of course she had to meet Ben on the day she was moving.  Ben is an aspiring novelist, they meet in the weirdest way, but they somehow connect and their attraction leads both of them to spend Fallen's last day in L.A. together.  Fallon's eventful or uneventful life becomes Ben's inspiration for his novel and together they promise to meet on the same day every year.

They keep they promise year after year and meet each other on the same day, November 9, the day the met.  That is until one day when Fallon becomes unsure about Ben's true feelings and honesty to her.  Has Ben been telling her the truth or has he been fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of his novel?  And what is he really hiding?  And more importantly can Fallon forgive Ben?

The twist on this book, OMG, I wasn't sure if I was okay forgiving Ben, I think it took me longer to forgive him than Fallon.  Colleen sure knows how to give a story a twist and I didn't see this one coming.  I loved their yearly meetings throughout the book and how their feelings evolved, but that twist, man, I think I still haven't got over it.  Overall I really enjoyed this book and the writing was amazing as usual, I ended up giving this one 4 out of 5 stars.  Why?  I don't think I have forgiven Ben yet.

Have you read November 9?  What did you think of it?  Would you forgive Ben?

XOXO,

Nelia

Friday, June 3, 2016

Weekend Reads: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Happy Sleepy Friday...I'm sooo sleepy right now, I wish I could go home and take a nap and it's only 9:30am.  Didn't get much sleep last night, the hubby worked last night and I thought it would be a good idea to watch some TV and read late but I'm realizing now that it wasn't that great of an idea...hahaha

But anyways, this weekend will be a cool one, I get to be a Sponsor on a Confirmation for my husband's cousin and that is such an honor :)  The only bad thing is that I will have to wake up really early tomorrow for that, but it will be worth it!!! And I will get Sunday to just rest and read and here is the book that I'll be reading:

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare


I don't know why I haven't finished this book yet, I hope that I'm not on a reading slump but I just want to finish this one this weekend and I will.

What are you doing this weekend?  Which book are you reading?

XOXO,

Nelia

Thursday, June 2, 2016

June 2016 TBR

It's JUNE!!! Summer is going to be officially here, AH..I'm way too excited, this is my favorite season, I love everything about Summer, hot days, beach days, the ocean, do I have to keep going?  Probably not...hahaha

I wish I could just take the whole Summer off and read by the beach, yeah that sounds sooo good...now I getting myself sad, I'm going to cry.  Stop, Nelia, let's think positive and think about how you can do that every weekend, yeah that sounds better. lol

And getting back to what this post is all about it, here are the books that I'm planning on reading this month:

1. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare-I'm half way already, so I should be done with this one soon.


2. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin-I'm finally doing a dent on this monster of a book and I'm really hoping to finish it this month.


3. Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine-Got this from NetGalley a while ago and I really want to get to it this month because...


4. Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine-The 2nd book is out and I have it and I can just marathon both of them :)


5. Saga, Volume 4 by Brian K. Vaughan-Time to Continue with it, right?


6. Stars Above by Marissa Meyer-Yes, I'm ready to get back to it...it has been a while since I read Winter and I want more of this world so I'm glad I hold off on this one.


7. The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson-I picked this up last month and I just can't wait to read it :)



I think that's all I'm adding for books for the month of June and go from here, I have been reading more than 10 books a month, but I don't want to over load myself with books and this month I do want to finish Game of Thrones and that's over 800 pages long so, we will see how I do and add books as the month goes by.

What are you reading this month? Do you recommend any books?

XOXO,

Nelia



Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Book Review: Paper Towns by John Green

It's Book Review Tuesday and today I'm reviewing my second John Green book, my first one was The Fault In Our Stars and of course that's a very high standard book to compare so...let's get started:

Paper Towns by John Green


Margo, Margo...Quentin has spent his whole life loving his adventurous, crazy and beautiful neighbor Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar.  They do go to the same high school, live across from each other but don't socialize together.  However, things were not always like that, once when they were little kids they used to hang out together and Quentin thinks they were friends but then they grew up and grew apart...well, life happens, right?

Just like the night when Margo opens Quentin's window and climbs back into his life, she is dressed just like a little ninja and she asks him for his help in a campaign of revenge, against some people who have done something that she never thought they would do.  And Quentin does what he knew deep down what he was going to do, he goes with her.  After their all-nighter ends, and a new day comes and Q arrives at school and sees that Margo is not there, always an enigma has now become a mystery.

Soon, Margo's disappearance leads to clues, clues that are meant for Q and him alone and he is willing to go all out to find out where she is, it won't matter what it costs.  With the help of his closest friends, Q spends his days and nights trying to find Margo.  The closer Q gets to Margo,the less he sees of the girl he thought he ought her to be...will he find her?

I totally enjoyed this book, I loved the friendships and it was just plain funny at times and a lot of times we don't get that on books and it was a breath of fresh air.  The mystery got me going, once I put the book down?  I wanted to go and pick it up again and find out where the heck was Margo, if Q was nervous?  I was nervous with him too...lol.  I ended up giving 5 out of 5 stars for this book and totally recommend it, want a good laugh and a good mystery?  Pick it up.

Once I was done reading it, I ended up watching the movie a few days later and I did enjoy the movie but of course there were a lot of things that they changed that I thought were really important from the book so it was alright, still enjoyable and funny but not as funny as the book, for the movie 4 out of 5 stars.

And that's it for this review, have you read this one yet?  What other John Green books do you recommend?

XOXO,

Nelia