A Little Help From My Friends Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

44. A Little Help From My Friends by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt
      Theme/Topic: book set in high school

Synopsis:
Zoe is used to being overlooked. As the youngest and shyest Miracle Girl, she was happy to fade into the background last year. But when she sheds her baby fat and shoots up four inches the summer before her junior year, everything changes. Now she's turning heads at school, and this new attention is beginning to strain her relationship with her sweet, serious boyfriend, Marcus. Pressure builds when Zoe's assigned partner for history class is Dean Marchese--a handsome New York transplant who isn't afraid to show her how he feels. Just when she needs her three best friends the most, the Miracle Girls are suffering from boy troubles of their own. Even Zoe's rock-solid home life begins to shake underneath her when her parents' relationship frays in the face of serious financial burdens. As this uncertain year of growing pains comes to a frenetic head, the quietest Miracle Girl must find her voice at long last and take control of her own destiny...with more than a little help from her friends.

My Review:
This is a coming of age story for Zoe. Teenage years can be difficult, especially true for girls. However, it's possible to get through if you have a good support system. You can't get through tough times alone. Zoe and her group of friends have a great relationship. Throughout this story, they realize how much they need to rely on each other and show how much they really care for one another. Anything is possible with a little help from your friends.

The title of this book stems from the Beatles "With a Little Help From My Friends" hit song. It's one of my favorite songs because it has a great message. Enjoy!

This is my last book review from 2015. I will be posting my 2015 Book Awards in a couple days, as well as a 2015 Reflections post.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Adventures in Funeral Crashing Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

43. Adventures in Funeral Crashing by Milda Harris
     Theme/Topic: book written by an author with your same initials

Synopsis:
Kait Lenox has a reputation as the weird girl in her high school, mostly because of her ex-best friend turned mean popular girl, Ariel, but maybe it has a little to do with the fact that Kait has a hobby crashing funerals. At one of these, Kait is outted by the most popular guy in school, Ethan Ripley. Yet, instead of humiliating her for all the world to see, he asks for her help, and Kait finds herself entangled in a murder mystery. Not only is the thrill of the mystery exciting, but more importantly Ethan knows her name! A little sleuthing is well worth that!

My Review:
This was just okay. As the title basically says, Kait likes to crash funerals. She goes for the fun of it and likes to see how many people show up for them. When she ends up getting caught by Ethan (since the funeral is for his sister), Kait is asked to help him figure out what happened. Ethan believes his sister got murdered (which she did) and it turns out that there's more to it than meets the eye. As they investigate her case, more suspicious deaths occur and they're thrown into a whirlwind. It did take me a little while to figure out who was behind them all, but I wasn't super surprised by the ending.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Love's Providence Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

41. Love's Providence by Jennifer H. Westall
      Theme/Topic: book with a love triangle

Synopsis:
College athlete Lily Brennon has always been the piece that doesn’t quite fit in the puzzle, especially in her blended family, and no amount of rule-following perfection seems to bring her any closer to the love and acceptance she desperately seeks. If not for Jackson Carter, her childhood best friend and the only boy she’s ever loved, she’s sure she would have run away years ago. But when Jackson loses his father and a future basketball career within months of each other, his faith is so shattered, he shuts out everyone, including Lily. After months of heartache, Lily begins to piece together a life without Jackson, and while vacationing at the beach on a beautiful island off the Georgia coast, she begins a long-distance romance with Alex Walker, a police officer with a quick wit and a cocky grin. He revives her hope in love again, but their intense attraction and his devastating secret test Lily’s commitment to save herself for marriage. Through her struggles to remain true to her principles, an agonizing choice between Alex and Jackson, and a series of terrifying events that threaten all of them, Lily must endure losing everything she’s been grasping so tightly. Only then will she discover the depth of the love that already surrounds her.

My Review:
This was a good read. Lily is the main character in the so-called love triangle. In the beginning, Lily struggles to move on after the break-up with Jackson. She takes a much needed vacation and soon forms a relationship with Alex. Doing so, Lily struggles with staying true to her beliefs and values. as Jackson begins his fight to show Lily he's not ready to give up, she gets caught up in having choose between both men. I liked all the twists and turns this story took up until the very end.

Lily and Jackson have a one of a kind relationship. Their relationship proves that true love can prevail despite going through some challenging times. Sometimes a break is all that's needed to show what one is missing, as well as seeing what they had all along.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Falling Women and Other Stories Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

40. Falling Women and Other Stories by Ellen Herbert
      Theme/Topic: book by a female author

Synopsis:
A collection of short stories about families in turmoil and children in peril, from a homeless mother forced to put her son in foster care to a suburban mother afraid of passing her water phobia to her son. Braxton, North Carolina is the where in these stories, an imaginary coastal town adjacent to Camp Corregidor, a stopover for recruits on their way to Vietnam and later to Iraq. Braxton is the home front, where citizens battle alcoholism, marital breakups, and scandal. In Braxton, when a sister or father does wrong, the whole family shares the blame. Even Braxton's babysitters are dangerous, snooping, stealing secrets - and husbands. But love abounds. Sisters driven apart by scandal reunite when their father remarries. The babysitter who ran off with the mayor is welcomed back into her family when she returns to Braxton pregnant. A woman on the verge of being committed to an asylum for alcoholism is pulled back from the brink by a devoted friend.

My Review:
If I'm going to be honest, I have to say that this is the first time that I get to review a family member's book as this is my aunt. Regardless, I'm going to do this like any other book review.

Falling Women and Other Stories is a collection of twelve short stories. I enjoyed a few. I thought they were compelling and some were funny. A couple others just weren't my cup of tea. With those, I thought they dragged just a bit and lacked interest.

Instead of reviewing each story individually, I'm going to list them all and point out my favorites:

The World as I Know It
When the Forsythia Blooms
Higher Ed
The Calling
Jazzland
The Yellow Sneakers
Falling Women
The Hurdlers
Prodigal Pirates
Goalkeeping
The Bad Thing That Happens to Good People
To Hold But Not Touch

I've listed them in the order that they are in the book. The ones highlighted in blue are the ones I enjoyed the most.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Running Toward Fate Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

39. Running Toward Fate by Kate Benzin
      Theme/Topic: book based on a true story

Synopsis:
Peter was definitely not the type to believe in love at first sight. He was too logical for that. But when a mysterious woman named Rina mesmerized him from across the restaurant on his last night in Indonesia, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. And Rina didn’t even realize that she’d had such an effect on someone. Peter left Indonesia the next morning without ever having talked to his mystery woman. Could he find a way to meet her? And would she be willing to get to know him?

My Review:
Would you go halfway around the world for someone you fell in love with at first sight? Sounds crazy right? Well that's exactly what Peter did. After meeting Rina on the last night of vacation in Indonesia, Peter is beside himself back home in the States. She becomes his infatuation and it seems that nothing else matters besides finding a way back to her. At first, they only communicate back and forth by mail and then followed by email. Peter eventually can't take no more and devises another trip back to Indonesia so he can figure out if Rina's the one for him. It ends up being the perfect love story.

It was an interesting story. I did think Peter was crazy for falling head over heels about a woman he met one time. However, I did appreciate his determination and resilience in going after Rina. He didn't let anyone stop him from finding out once and for all if Rina was the one for him. I did like how well Indonesia was described, but at times it stopped the story from progressing forward. It was interesting to learn how travel agents book tours.

Since this is based on a true story, the question I have is: do you believe in love at first sight?
I like to believe that love at first sight is possible since I believe that there's someone out there for everyone.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

A Map of Heaven Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

38. A Map of Heaven by Suzanne Elizabeth Anderson
     Theme/Topic: book more than 500 pages

Synopsis:
What would you do if you had one week to live and a lifetime of unrealized dreams to fulfill? After a series of blinding headaches sends thirty-four-year-old Elizabeth to the hospital, she receives news of an inoperable tumor. Defying doctor’s orders, she heads to Paris in search of a different form of healing and one last chance to experience the life she locked away in a room of her paintings. In Paris, Elizabeth’s days are spent in a budding romance with a doctor escaping his own demons, while her nights are inundated with surreal dreams. In these dreams, she navigates a labyrinth and confronts pivotal moments from her past. Upon waking, she receives mysterious notes hinting that her life may be saved if she could only find the map of Heaven described to her as a child. During her nocturnal journeys through the endless labyrinth, Elizabeth meets an astronomer searching for forgiveness, an artist searching for immortality, and a mother searching for revenge. As her dreams progress, she travels back in time to a small Midwestern town, follows a Parisian tunnel down to the depths of Hell, and eventually reaches a sandy beach offering a possible glimpse of Heaven. In a cruel twist, for her life to be spared, Elizabeth is required to give up everything that has brought her so much joy, including the man she loves. Which will she choose? A return to her old life or a chance to grasp the meaning of life?

My Review:
This is a deep and thought provoking book. It's good for anyone who is at a crossroads - don't know what direction to take in life. Everyone of us all have those times when we question who we are, who we want to be. That's what Elizabeth goes through when she's diagnosed with terminal cancer. In her case, she has to choose between life and death.

Religion is a major theme throughout Elizabeth's journey through her past and possible future life (when she glimpses heaven and hell in her dreams). The Christian viewpoint is the most prevalent, but not overly preachy. I did like how other views of God were discussed through the people Elizabeth met. We have to be open to differing opinions and accept their point of view.

Elizabeth gets to experience what would have happened if she would have shown her paintings at gallery openings. She let fear get in the way of being happy, so she stuck with her normal career choice. Is there a dream that you have but had to put it on the backburner? It's never too late to follow your dream and be truly happy for going after that dream.


Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

7th Heaven Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

42. 7th Heaven by James Patterson
      Theme/Topic: book with a number in the title

Synopsis:
A terrible fire in a wealthy suburban home leaves a married couple dead and Detective Lindsay Boxer and her partner Rich Conklin searching for clues. And after California's golden boy, Michael Campion has been missing for a month, there finally seems to be a lead in his case--a very devastating lead. As fire after fire consume couples in wealthy, comfortable homes, Lindsay and the Murder Club must race to find the arsonists responsible and get to the bottom of Michael Campion's disappearance. But suddenly the fires are raging too close to home. Frightened for her life and torn between two men, Lindsay must find a way to solve the most daunting dilemmas she's ever faced--at work and at home.

My Review:
Another page turner by James Patterson. I've read the previous six books in this series and with each book, it gets better and better. James Patterson does a wonderful job of putting so much action and suspense together to want to keep reading. Not to mention some great twists along the way. I was surprised by the ending with Michael Champion's case and the arsonists were pretty clever.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

Meg

A Million Steps Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

37. A Million Steps by Kurt Koontz
     Theme/Topic: a memoir

Synopsis:
Kurt Koontz thought he was well prepared for his 490-mile walking trip on the historic Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain. He was fit and strong. He had a good guidebook and all the right equipment. His pilgrim passport would grant him access to the shelter of hostels along the way. But all that, however helpful, did not begin to encompass the grandeur of his external or internal adventure. A Million Steps climbs over the high meadows of the Pyrenees, quests through the unceasing wind of the Meseta, and dances in the rains of Galicia. While following the yellow arrows that mark the route, Koontz also navigates through his personal history of addiction, recovery, and love. With outgoing humor and friendliness, he embraces the beauty of the countryside and joyful connections to other pilgrims from around the world. Part diary, part travelogue, A Million Steps is a journey within a journey all the way to the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela and beyond.

My Review:
In recent years, I have really been interested in reading stories about self-discovery or life changing adventures. A Million Steps was exactly that. Kurt is not a natural writer, but everyone has a story. While his actual writing was far from great, Kurt accomplished the task of getting his story across. I've never been Spain and to be honest, I don't have any desire to go to Spain. However, it was interesting to read about all the towns he passed and stayed in on his journey. It was also neat to hear about all the people he met along the way as well. He opened up about his own life stories and struggles and how he was able to meet them head on during the trip.

If you could take a trip of a lifetime anywhere in the world (no matter what the reason), where would it be? For me, that would be Australia and Ireland.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Dashing Through the Snow Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

36. Dashing Through the Snow by Debbie Macomber
      Theme/Topic: book set during Christmas

Synopsis:
Ashley Davison, a graduate student in California, desperately wants to spend the holidays with her family in Seattle. Dashiell Sutherland, a former army intelligence officer, has a job interview in Seattle and must arrive by December 23. Though frantic to book a last-minute flight out of San Francisco, both are out of luck: Every flight is full, and there’s only one rental car available. Ashley and Dash reluctantly decide to share the car, but neither anticipates the wild ride ahead. At first they drive in silence, but forced into close quarters Ashley and Dash can’t help but open up. Not only do they find they have a lot in common, but there’s even a spark of romance in the air. Their feelings catch them off guard—never before has either been so excited about a first meeting. But the two are in for more twists and turns along the way as they rescue a lost puppy, run into petty thieves, and even get caught up in a case of mistaken identity. Though Ashley and Dash may never reach Seattle in time for Christmas, the season is still full of surprises—and their greatest wishes may yet come true.

My Review:
This was a light and easy read during the holiday season. While Dashing Through the Snow doesn't compare to some of Debbie Macomber's other works (particularly her series'), it is the perfect pace for a stand alone title. It seems that everybody rushes around during the holiday season, especially the last couple of days before Christmas. I don't know if this is the case for everyone, but when I'm rushing to get stuff done, things tend to go wrong and get in the way. This is exactly what happens in this story. Ashley and Dash may seem like two completely different people, but as the saying goes, opposites attract and they end up falling in love with each other. The story had it's laughable moments and I couldn't put this book down. I enjoyed its bittersweet ending.

Taking this off from Debbie Macomber, what one word do you want to incorporate into 2016? She chose the word joy. My word is change.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Unleashed Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

35. Unleashed by Emily Kimelman
      Theme/Topic: book with a one word title

Synopsis:
When the series begins Sydney Rye is named Joy Humbolt. She does not like people telling her what to do, so it comes as no surprise that she was just fired from her last job. When she buys Charlene Miller's dog-walking business on Manhattan's exclusive upper east side, it seems like the perfect fit: Quiet environment, minimal contact with people. But then one of her clients turns up dead, and Charlene disappears. Rumors say Charlene was having an affair with the victim--and of course, everyone assumes Joy must know where she is. Joy begins to look into the crime, first out of curiosity then out of anger when there is another murder and threats start to come her way. When police detective Mulberry is assigned to the case, Joy finds a kindred spirit--cynical and none-too-fond of the human race. As they dig deep into the secrets of Manhattan's elite, they not only get closer to the killer but also to a point of no return. One last murder sends Joy Humbolt hurtling over the edge. Her only chance of survival is to become Sydney Rye.

My Review:
When I came across this book for free from Bookbub, it sounded good. Unfortunately, things aren't always what they seem like at first. That was the way with this. For starters, it was filled with more profanity than could have ever imagined. And yes, there was a warning about that, but certain words were overused.

In short, Joy can't get her life together. Right from the start, we find out that she lost her dog (as well as job) and to deal with that, she adopts an enormous mutt and names him Blue. She reluctantly takes on a job as a dog-walker and is thrown into a world of gossip and such with the other dog-walkers. Joy stumbles across the body of a client and then rumors start up. Since she's kind of considered a suspect by the police (as is the case with anyone who finds a body at first), Joy gets involved in trying to find the killer by investigating on her own. In the meantime she also fools around with one of the detectives. When it starts getting personal and close to home, Joy doesn't let anything get in her way. Without going into detail, at the end Joy has no choice but to change her name to Sydney Rye to run away/go into hiding from the police.

Overall, Unleashed was an example of bad writing in a way. Not to mention that a couple of the plotlines were either out of place or lacked spark. It's safe to say that I won't be reading any more in this series.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Final Justice Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

34. Final Justice by W. E. B. Griffin
      Theme/Topic: book that takes place in your hometown

Synopsis:
Newly promoted to sergeant, Philadelphia detective Matt Payne finds himself in the middle of three assignments at once: trying to nail down a cop killer, a serial rapist, and a murderer who fled to France 20 years ago. It's enough to burn out any cop. But Payne's not just any cop. And he's about to show the bad guys that there's no place they can hide from him-or from justice.

My Review:
This is book eight in a series. I did not realize it was part of a series until after I started to read it. Regardless, the story pretty much tells you what happened before. Those parts did get a little long, though, which prevented the actual story from moving forward. I would have preferred the background story in those instances to be more condensed.

Matt is good at what he does and is driven in pursuing the criminals he's after no matter what it takes. And then there's the seniority ones who are worried that Matt is only getting promotions because of his dad, who happened to be a cop as well. They are rightful to think that Matt doesn't have as much experience as he's younger. Then again, Matt seems very capable and knowledgeable about police procedures and everything like that.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

Meg

Play Dead Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

33. Play Dead by Leslie O'Kane
      Theme/Topic: book based entirely on its cover

Synopsis:
Meet Allie Babcock, an intrepid dog therapist with a knack for sleuthing. After Allie Babcock sets up shop in Boulder, her first client is a despondent collie whose previous owner apparently took her own life. But Allie soon suspects murder--and figures her canine client was a witness to the crime. Allie is quickly on the case when a second murder stops her investigation. Before making another move, she counts her enemies: several suspicious dog owners, a violent boyfriend demanding vengeance, and a mysterious door-to-door salesman with a bizarre story to tell. One thing's for certain: All of them deserve a serious once-over--or Allie's own life may be brought to a heel.

My Review:
A great read and mystery involving dogs. It had an assortment of odd characters but made the story unique. Allie is someone who's genuinely great with dogs. I appreciated that one of the characters was afraid of dogs. That hits close to home as I am actually afraid of dogs myself. Without going into too much detail, something happened when I was a child around 8 I think and I haven't been able to get over the fear. Don't get me wrong, though. I happen to like dogs, I just can't stand to be around them and somehow tolerate them when I have no choice but to.

Q: What's your favorite type/breed of dog?

A: My favorite breed is either a golden retriever or a husky.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

Meg

An Irish Country Doctor Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

32. An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor
      Theme/Topic: book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit (Ireland)

Synopsis:
Barry Laverty, M.B., can barely find the Northern Ireland village of Ballybucklebo on a map when he first sets out to seek gainful employment there. But Barry jumps at the chance to secure a position as an assistant in a small rural practice. At least until he meets Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly. The older physician has his own way of doing things. At first, Barry can't decide if the pugnacious O'Reilly is the biggest charlatan he has ever met or the best teacher he could ever hope for. Through O'Reilly, Barry soon gets to know all of the village's colourful and endearing residents and a host of other eccentric characters who make every day an education for the inexperienced young doctor. Ballybucklebo is a long way from Belfast, and Barry is quick to discover that he still has a lot to learn about country life. But with pluck and compassion, and only the slightest touch of blarney, he will find out more about life--and love--than he ever imagined back in medical school.

My Review:
This was a great and entertaining as well. I thought Fingal was hardcore and abrasive at first. Although, I have to say that I liked how he had a rough exterior, but passionate on the inside. There's nothing wrong with being that way, especially with doctors in a way, because I'm sure that they've seen it all. I enjoyed the relationship between an experienced older doctor (Fingal) and a fresh young doctor (Barry). Most young doctors can act like hotshots, but Barry didn't come across that way. Barry seemed to be very passionate about his line of work. He offered up a new perspective in Fingal's office (and house visits) and able to pick up on things if it just happened to be overlooked by Fingal. It was interesting getting to know the people of Ballybucklebo.

It's no secret that An Irish Country Doctor takes place in Ireland. I have always liked to travel and see new places. There are a lot of places that I would like to visit, but Ireland is at the top of my list. I am Irish on my mother's side and that's one of my reasons I want to visit Ireland. I've always heard and seen that Ireland's such a lovely country.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Finding Margo Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

31. Finding Margo by Susanne O'Leary
      Theme/Topic: book set in a different county (France)

Synopsis:
When Margo misreads a roadmap while travelling by car through France, her husband Alan flies into one of his usual rages. Tired of his constant bad moods, Margo slips away from him at a motorway café. She hitches a lift with a woman truck driver and escapes into the French countryside. What follows is adventure and romance far beyond her wildest dreams. Will Alan find her before she finds herself? 

My Review:
I struggled with this review because even though I didn't particularly enjoy the book, there was something to take away from it.

While at a motorway café (service plaza kind of thing), Margo essentially reaches her breaking point and decides to leave her abusive (emotional/mental as supposed to physical) husband. She leaves everything behind except the clothes on her back and starts a whole new life. That makes this book a coming of age journey in that sense.

Here's the thing. I didn't like the way she left him. If that was me, I would have told him straightforward that I wanted out of the marriage and moved out of the house. And then proceed with a divorce. I tend to think that couples get divorced over the littlest things, instead of trying to work it our first through counseling or some other way. Not to mention that she ends up falling for another guy who is pretty much the same type of person as Alan. To me, the story lacked that special something and lacked interest.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

The Fault in Our Stars Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

30. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
      Theme/Topic: book that made you cry

Synopsis:
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

My Review:
I have now read this for the third time, but it fit the particular topic/theme. Geared to teens and young adults, I believe that this is the kind of book that adults can get something out of as well - The Fault in Our Stars has been listed as a young adult book that adults should read (according to Goodreads) or something similar to that. This is an example of a typical teen love story. The only difference is that they have cancer. Anybody, no matter what, deserves  to have fun and fall in love. I believe that this story represents how everyone should have an outlet to help them get through the hard times like a favorite book/author like Hazel or video games like Gus and Isaac.

Since I chose The Fault in Our Stars as the book that made me cry, I'm going to elaborate on the moments that have done exactly that. I'm going to list three examples. For the most part, they are going to be from the first time I read this (so you can get a true reaction/fresh perspective). If you haven't read this yet or seen the movie, consider yourself warned.

Spoiler Alert Warning - Spoiler Alert Warning

1. When Gus dies. This is one moment that gets me every time. When I read this the first time, I actually never saw that coming.
2. When Gus asks Hazel and Isaac to write an obituary for him and when they read it at the church to Gus. I can understand that Gus wants to know what they think about how he affected their lives. You don't think that somebody will ask you to write an eulogy before they die. It bothered me more when Hazel read hers.
3. When Gus told Hazel that his cancer came back. Looking back onto it, I can say I saw it coming. To me, that moment is the turning point of the story. Since this book is based on characters with cancer, I figured that someone would die (in particular Hazel). When Gus said that he "lit up like a Christmas tree", I wasn't expecting that.

I want to mention that I have currently read 38 books so far and am close to finishing two more at the moment.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Paranormal Public Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

29. Paranormal Public by Maddy Edwards
      Theme/Topic: book with magic

Synopsis:
There is no such thing as a mage. There is certainly no such thing as a vampire, pixie, werewolf, or fallen angel. And they certainly do not all attend a college together called Paranormal Public University. One minute Charlotte Rollins is a normal girl about to go to a normal college. She is at once excited and nervous, getting ready to start this new phase in her life. The next minute she is a freshman not at a normal college, but at Paranormal Public University, a school where paranormals of all kinds must co-exist. Charlotte must learn magic, that is, if she could actually do magic, which unlike every other mage at Public she can’t seem to manage. Her transition to this new and wonderful world is difficult. On top of trying to learn magic, make new friends, and confront forbidden love, the archenemy of the paranormals, the demons, are getting stronger. They are looking for something. It turns out that Charlotte might just hold the key to finding it. Can Charlotte get a handle on her powers in time to save the school she loves? Can she fulfill a destiny the paranormals scarcely dared to hope for? Or will she be too late?

My Review:
I thought it got off to a bit of slow start, but it did get better as it went along. Since this is a book about magic, I only found what happened to Charlotte in the beginning was strange (right before and as she was taken away to the paranormal university).

I did appreciate how the five dorms were explained: Airlee being for mages, dream givers and werewolves; Cruor being for vampires; Aurora being for fallen angels; Volans being for pixies; and Astra being for elementals. What I particularly didn't like was how they weren't really allowed to get along with people from the other dorms/houses (or the whole my house/dorm is better than yours type of vibe) besides their own - it was too cliqueish and high school like for me. I personally don't like cliques, but it definitely shouldn't be any of that in college/university - you would think the people would have matured in that area by then.

This was the kind of book in which you knew what was going on before the characters did. For instance, I knew Charlotte was an elemental long before she did. I had figured it out when she had the strange experience in Astra the first she had to clean it. It did take me a bit longer to realize that the president was behind everything. I felt bad for Lisabelle who took the blame for it all (by way of the president).

Of course, all the houses/dorms had to come together at the end to save the university. Most of the trouble could have been avoided if they all got along from the get-go though.

There were a lot of similarities with Harry Potter. Since I am a Harry Potter fan, this book didn't live up to my expectation that I had going into reading this. It was kind of a letdown for me. Although the story did have its moments, it wasn't good enough for me to want to continue reading the rest of the series.


Note: I will not be posting for a few days after this because I have to go out of town for a funeral. If I feel up to it, I will try to post on Wednesday and if not, it will be Thursday.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Oceans Apart Book Review

Writing Tuesday

I have decided to do book reviews occasionally on Writing Tuesdays.

2015 Reading Challenge

28. Oceans Apart by Karen Kingsbury
      Theme/Topic: book you own/have but never read

Synopsis:
Airline pilot Connor Evans and his wife, Michele, seem to be the perfect couple living what looks like a perfect life. Then a plane goes down in the Pacific Ocean. One of the casualties is Kiahna Siefert, a flight attendant Connor knew well. Too well. Kiahna’s will is very clear: before her seven-year-old son, Max, can be turned over to the state, he must spend the summer with the father he’s never met, the father who doesn’t know he exists: Connor Evans. Now will the presence of one lonely child and the truth he represents destroy Connor’s family ? Or is it possible that healing and hope might come in the shape of a seven-year-old boy?

My Review:
I had been struggling to write a review without using spoilers. I usually try not to use spoilers or give it all away in my reviews because I feel like that ruins the fun and joy of reading.

Mistakes happen and no one is perfect and that's what happens with Kiahna and Connor. They have basically a one-night stand when they know they shouldn't have. I can respect Kiahna's decision not to tell Connor about Max because she didn't want to destroy Connor and Michele's marriage. At the same time, I don't think it's right to not let someone know they have a child - I mean it wasn't that Connor was a bad father or would have been a bad father, it was just the circumstances that made it harder.

Michele's reaction was typical. I could definitely understand where she was coming from, despite how annoyed and frustrated I was at her throughout the story for different reasons, especially for not even wanting to hear Connor's side of the story. I know Michele would come around in the end, but also knew that they had to go through what they did to make that happen (like sending Max back. The only thing I really disliked was the way Michele tried to dissuade their daughters, Elizabeth and Susan, from getting to know Max. I feel that they should have been able to make their own decision from the beginning.

Throughout the story, I really liked how every situation taking place was explained to Max in a way that he was able to understand. Max was a strong little boy, who was able to deal with it all in his own way, without pressure to talk to anyone about how he was feeling unless he wanted to or was ready to. I feel that it was all handled well.

Oceans Apart is a prime example that everything can work out in the end, but it just takes time to get there.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Patriot Games Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

18. Patriot Games by Tom Clancy
      Theme/Topic: book that came out the year you were born

Synopsis:
From England to Ireland to America, an explosive wave of violence sweeps a CIA analyst and his family into the deadliest game of our time: international terrorism. An ultra-left-wing faction of the IRA has targeted the CIA man for his act of salvation in an assassination attempt. And now he must pay ... with his life.

My Review:
It took me a little bit of time before I could get into this book. Once I did, though, I was hooked. What I really liked about this was getting a glimpse into the lives of terrorist groups, as well as the CIA - for instance, (for terrorists) how they plan their attacks and ways to avoid getting caught and (for the CIA) how they try to figure out how to stay one step ahead of terrorists and possibly stop the attacks planned or how they plan to fight back if an attack were to occur.

What makes a hero? To me, heroes are anyone who save/help the lives of others or try their hardest to do whatever they can to make that happen. Obviously, I'm talking about firefighters, police officers, members of the armed services and doctors and nurses, etc. There are everyday heroes as well who may not wear an uniform, but perform heroic acts, just like Jack Ryan. He relied on his former training as a Marine to save the lives of members of a royal family.

My favorite characters other than the obvious (Jack of course) were Robby and Sally. Robby was just a great supporting character and Sally, Jack's daughter, may not have been a main character, but she was an integral part for Jack to keep going.

My only complaint would be this. I didn't understand why Jack's character was referred to as Jack and Ryan at the same time. It was confusing at first until I got used to seeing it.

While I was reading this book, a similar type of incident took place in Europe. I believe three American men thwarted a possible terrorist attack on a train travelling from Amsterdam to Paris by taking the suspect down. With that being said, terrorist attacks have been quite common all over the world, including one of the deadliest on US soil 14 years ago - 9/11. To me, I don't understand why anyone would want to attack and kill innocent people of all walks of life anywhere.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥
 

Paper Towns Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

16. Paper Towns by John Green

       I don't have a certain reading challenge theme/topic for this one because I didn't plan to read this for that reason.

Synopsis:
Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs into his life--dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge--he follows. After their all-nighter ends, and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues--and they're for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees the girl he thought he knew.

My Review:
Yet another love story from John Green. Paper Towns and Looking for Alaska seem to have something in common: the main character (Miles and Q) realizing how much someone meant to them after they're gone and then chasing/searching for them to discover who they are. In Looking for Alaska, Miles goes on a search for answers after losing Alaska in a car accident and in Paper Towns, Q goes on a search for Margo after she runs away. What I really liked about this book was the clues that were left by Margo, making it a bit like a scavenger/treasure hunt. Those kind of things have always interested me, not to mention it's fun to figure out clues and see where they lead. 

I think a good thing to take out of this story is that sometimes you have to take a risk in life to go after something you want to achieve, accomplish, etc. Q took a risk on his mission to find Margo, not really knowing what he was going to find along the way. Without giving the ending away, keep in mind that you may not always get the outcome that you want, but you'll never know if you don't try.

No risk = No reward

Announcement: My regular blog schedule will resume next week.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Looking for Alaska Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

15. Looking for Alaska by John Green

       Theme/Topic: book written by someone under 30

   

Synopsis: 

Sixteen-year-old Miles' first year at Culver Creek Prepatory School (boarding school) in Alabama includes good friends and great pranks, but is defined by the search for answers about life and death after a fatal car crash.

My Review:

This is about life before and after a tragic event of losing a friend in a car crash. We tend to take our family and friends for granted and don't always realize how much they mean to us. Oftentimes by the time we do, it's too late. I liked how John Green showed Miles, aka Pudge, and his friends/c!assmates go through the grieving process just like anybody else, but more importantly, that they each went through it differently. 

Losing someone close to us, whether suddenly or not, is heartbreaking. Just like Pudge, I think all of us question life and death after someone dies. I related to what Pudge went through because I felt a lot of the same things when I lost an uncle in 2001 and my grandmom in 2010. One died suddenly and the other died unexpectedly, but I kind of knew it was coming. With both, I found myself asking what if I had done this or that (they're both extremely personal stories), would it have made a difference. And I'm sure a lot of people feel the same way. 

Suicide. Although we never find out if Alaska dies by accident or crashed as a way to commit suicide, suicide is an importañt issue not to be taken lightly. I've known two people who did take their life and although I wasn't that close to either of them, I still found myself questioning why someone would want to do that.  The answer is that you just don't know. There's no way of knowing what that person is thinking right before that moment or even what led up to that moment. If you or someone you know is considering suicide as a way out, please get help. 

This book is good for young adults and adults in their 20s and 30s because it's during those times when we question life and death and discover what we want to become and where we want to be in life. 

I'm going to end this with the most thought defining quote from this book: 

"How will I ever get out of this labyrinth?" - Alaska Young

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

Meg