M.L. Sparrow's Blog, page 20
January 19, 2017
Cover Reveal: The Practice Boyfriend
Check out the new Contemporary YA book by Christina Benjamin, coming 24th Jan!
Find out more about Christina Benjamin...Award-Winning author, Christina Benjamin, lives in Florida with her husband, and character inspiring pets, where she spends her free time working on her books and speaking to inspire fellow writers.Christina is best known for her wildly popular Young Adult series, The Geneva Project.Her best-selling novel, The Geneva Project – Truth, has won multiple awards and stolen the hearts of YA readers. Packed with magic and imagination, her epic tale of adventure hooks fans of mega-hit YA fiction like Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and Percy Jackson.Christina loves to read and write across genres. YA is her favorite but she’s a sucker for a good love story. Don’t miss her romance, paranormal and historical fiction, as well as the multiple anthologies she’s been a part of.Awards:FAPA President’s Gold Medalist (YA Fiction)London Book Festival – Runner-Up (Young Adult Category)Litpik Top Choice Award – (YA fiction)Reader’s Favorite Silver Medalist – (YA Fiction)Tybee Island Book Award Gold Medalist – (YA Fiction)Blurb:Nobody likes Cody Matthews, including Cody Matthews. And why should they? He got his high school girlfriend pregnant and then almost killed them both while driving drunk. That’s why he’s perfect for Hannah. She’d never fall for someone like him.Hannah Stark is a high school senior with a resume of straight A’s. She’s never stepped a toe out of line. But that’s also why she’s never had a boyfriend. While all her classmates are counting down the days until graduation, Hannah is dragging her feet. She can’t believe she’ll be leaving her adolescents behind without ever taking a chance to be wild and free. That’s why she’s set her sights on Harrison.Harrison Cohl is everything Hannah wants to be. Gorgeous, wealthy, popular and wild. He’s also notorious for the legendary masquerade ball he throws every year. And this year Hannah is determined to be invited. And have Harrison as her date.Her plan is crazy. But she’s convinced she just needs a little practice to make her high school resume perfect.Amazon Author Page|Facebook|Twitter|GoodReads|Instagram|Pinterest|WebsiteCheck out a quick excerpt or the trailerHERE...The helicopter ride reminded Hannah of the terrifying rides at the fair. The ones she could never bring herself to brave as she sat enviously watching couples cling to each other with an equal balance of fear and love as their world spun out of control. She was finally seeing that’s what relationships were—finding someone to hold onto in the chaos and hoping they wouldn’t let go.And, finally, what everyone has been waiting for, the COVER REVEAL!
I'm guessing you all want to pre-order a copy now, so here's the link!Amazon You can also check out reviews onGoodreads.***And as a special treat for you lovely people, you can download a FREE copy of Christina Benjamin's Award-Winning YA Fantasy, The Geneva Project - Truth,HERE!
January 18, 2017
The Uncommon Reader
The Uncommon Reader, by Alan Bennett
Blurb:When the Queen in pursuit of her wandering corgis stumbles upon a mobile library she feels duty bound to borrow a book. Aided by Norman, a young man from the palace kitchen who frequents the library, Bennett describes the Queen's transformation as she discovers the liberating pleasures of the written word.This book is just so... English! After all, what is more English than the Queen of England? It is also written in a very matter of fact way with a dry wit that I absolutely loved.After reading Th Lady in the Van I was very cautious about reading this book, since I hadn't really enjoyed my previous Alan Bennett book, however, the premise was so intriguing that I couldn't ignore it and I definitely wasn't disappointed.All in all this is a quick, fun read for anyone who understands the addictive joy of reading, or anyone whose ever wondered about what the Queen may be like under that professional persona she shows the world. And the ending... I thought that was great!My favourite quotes from 'The Uncommon Reader':'What she was finding also was how one book led to another, doors kept opening wherever she turned and the days weren't long enough for the reading she wanted to do.''Books are not about passing the time. They're about other lives. Other worlds.''A book is a device to ignite the imagination.''To read is to withdraw. To make oneself unavailable.''Etiquette may be bad but embarrassment is worse.''Authors, she soon decided, were probably best met with in the pages of their novels, and were as much creatures of the reader's imagination as the characters in their books.''You don't put your life into your books. You find it there.''... for some reason Norman was sulking, behaviour she had seldom come across except in children and the occasional cabinet minister.''Though it is true one is eighty and this is a sort of birthday party. But quite what there is to celebrate I'm not sure. I suppose one of the few things to be said for it is that one has at leas achieved an age at which one can die without people being shocked.'
Blurb:When the Queen in pursuit of her wandering corgis stumbles upon a mobile library she feels duty bound to borrow a book. Aided by Norman, a young man from the palace kitchen who frequents the library, Bennett describes the Queen's transformation as she discovers the liberating pleasures of the written word.This book is just so... English! After all, what is more English than the Queen of England? It is also written in a very matter of fact way with a dry wit that I absolutely loved.After reading Th Lady in the Van I was very cautious about reading this book, since I hadn't really enjoyed my previous Alan Bennett book, however, the premise was so intriguing that I couldn't ignore it and I definitely wasn't disappointed.All in all this is a quick, fun read for anyone who understands the addictive joy of reading, or anyone whose ever wondered about what the Queen may be like under that professional persona she shows the world. And the ending... I thought that was great!My favourite quotes from 'The Uncommon Reader':'What she was finding also was how one book led to another, doors kept opening wherever she turned and the days weren't long enough for the reading she wanted to do.''Books are not about passing the time. They're about other lives. Other worlds.''A book is a device to ignite the imagination.''To read is to withdraw. To make oneself unavailable.''Etiquette may be bad but embarrassment is worse.''Authors, she soon decided, were probably best met with in the pages of their novels, and were as much creatures of the reader's imagination as the characters in their books.''You don't put your life into your books. You find it there.''... for some reason Norman was sulking, behaviour she had seldom come across except in children and the occasional cabinet minister.''Though it is true one is eighty and this is a sort of birthday party. But quite what there is to celebrate I'm not sure. I suppose one of the few things to be said for it is that one has at leas achieved an age at which one can die without people being shocked.'
January 13, 2017
A World Without Bees
A World Without Bees, by Alison Benjamin and Brian McCallum
Blurb:“If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left.” –Albert EinsteinA third of all that we eat, and much of what we wear, relies on pollination by honeybees. So if — or when — the world loses its black-and-yellow workers, the consequences will be dire.What is behind this catastrophe? Viruses, parasites, pesticides and climate change have all been blamed, as has modern monoculture agribusiness. In this timely book, two keen amateur apiarists investigate all the claims and counterclaims with the help of scientists and beekeepers in Europe, America and elsewhere.They ask the question that will soon be on everyone’s lips: Is there any possible way of saving the honeybees — and with them, the world as we know it?First of all, let me address the huge pink elephant in the room. Yes, this book looks boring as hell. You should have seen the look on the cashiers face when I brought it! I then had several family members taking the mickey, however, despite how it seems this book was very interesting and informative. In my opinion everyone should read this book, and books like it, because then maybe more people would understand what's going on in the world and stop being so damn selfish and make an effort to preserve the planet we live on, the air we breath and protect the animals that share the Earth with us. Most people don't realise - even I didn't - how the lack of bees would effect the planet.I'll admit parts of this book were a bit repetitive and at times it seemed like just a long list of dates, however, I never lost interest, mainly because I was desperate to find out if the find a solution in the end, which I should have guessed since bumblebees are currently on the endangered list and other species are under threat. This book was published in 2008, therefore, I don't really know all that much about any progress since then but I'll definitely be looking into it. Unfortunately, the authors haven't written an up-to-date sequel, but if they ever do I'll be sure to snap it up.As I've already said this is a very inspiring book, especially the last couple of chapters and anyone who's interested in conservation should definitely read it. Hopefully this book will change the minds of people who think human actions don't harm the environment.My favourite quotes from 'A World Without Bees':' "If the bee disappeared off the face of the globe, then man would only have four years of life left. No more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man." '' "Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness." ''... she is more a slave to the community than its ruler.'' "It is a very distressing thing," he wrote, "to walk into ta yard in May and not hear a bee buzz." '' "In a world where there's wars, global warming, and huge deficits that we don't understand, the basic person gets that without bees there's something wrong." ''... truth is being sacrificed to profit.'' "Those who have the money are not interested in this sort of research, and those who are interested don't have the money." ''One reason for her feebleness is that a major ally has deserted her in her hour of need. By destroying the environment in which the honeybee lives, man is reducing her chances of survival.'' "We're placing so many demands on bees we're forgetting that they're a living organism and that they have a seasonal life cycle and they're going to have down times. We're wanting them to function as a machine. ..." ''Half of the bumblebee species in the UK are either already extinct or could face extinction in the next few decades,''... she is also raising the alarm for humankind.''But the silence also refers to the fact that nobody is listening to what the bees or the beekeepers are saying: they need help, and fast.''If we treat animals like machines, then we shouldn't be surprised when they break down.'
Blurb:“If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left.” –Albert EinsteinA third of all that we eat, and much of what we wear, relies on pollination by honeybees. So if — or when — the world loses its black-and-yellow workers, the consequences will be dire.What is behind this catastrophe? Viruses, parasites, pesticides and climate change have all been blamed, as has modern monoculture agribusiness. In this timely book, two keen amateur apiarists investigate all the claims and counterclaims with the help of scientists and beekeepers in Europe, America and elsewhere.They ask the question that will soon be on everyone’s lips: Is there any possible way of saving the honeybees — and with them, the world as we know it?First of all, let me address the huge pink elephant in the room. Yes, this book looks boring as hell. You should have seen the look on the cashiers face when I brought it! I then had several family members taking the mickey, however, despite how it seems this book was very interesting and informative. In my opinion everyone should read this book, and books like it, because then maybe more people would understand what's going on in the world and stop being so damn selfish and make an effort to preserve the planet we live on, the air we breath and protect the animals that share the Earth with us. Most people don't realise - even I didn't - how the lack of bees would effect the planet.I'll admit parts of this book were a bit repetitive and at times it seemed like just a long list of dates, however, I never lost interest, mainly because I was desperate to find out if the find a solution in the end, which I should have guessed since bumblebees are currently on the endangered list and other species are under threat. This book was published in 2008, therefore, I don't really know all that much about any progress since then but I'll definitely be looking into it. Unfortunately, the authors haven't written an up-to-date sequel, but if they ever do I'll be sure to snap it up.As I've already said this is a very inspiring book, especially the last couple of chapters and anyone who's interested in conservation should definitely read it. Hopefully this book will change the minds of people who think human actions don't harm the environment.My favourite quotes from 'A World Without Bees':' "If the bee disappeared off the face of the globe, then man would only have four years of life left. No more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man." '' "Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness." ''... she is more a slave to the community than its ruler.'' "It is a very distressing thing," he wrote, "to walk into ta yard in May and not hear a bee buzz." '' "In a world where there's wars, global warming, and huge deficits that we don't understand, the basic person gets that without bees there's something wrong." ''... truth is being sacrificed to profit.'' "Those who have the money are not interested in this sort of research, and those who are interested don't have the money." ''One reason for her feebleness is that a major ally has deserted her in her hour of need. By destroying the environment in which the honeybee lives, man is reducing her chances of survival.'' "We're placing so many demands on bees we're forgetting that they're a living organism and that they have a seasonal life cycle and they're going to have down times. We're wanting them to function as a machine. ..." ''Half of the bumblebee species in the UK are either already extinct or could face extinction in the next few decades,''... she is also raising the alarm for humankind.''But the silence also refers to the fact that nobody is listening to what the bees or the beekeepers are saying: they need help, and fast.''If we treat animals like machines, then we shouldn't be surprised when they break down.'
January 12, 2017
Promo! The Hidden Monastery
The Hidden Monastery (The Last Prophecy Series, 1), by E.J. DawsonBlurb:Captain Katarina Salisbury of the airship the Iron Lady and propaganda tool for the Illisian government, has been given a very simple assignment; to go and rescue villagers threatened with avalanches in the far southern Drezusk Mountains.With unwelcome nobles on her vessel, diminishing part of her fame and good press from the venture, she is determined to do her duty and be done with them as quickly as possible.They destroy an avalanche within reach of the village on their first day in the valley.Except the fall of the avalanche reveals something beneath the tumbling snow and rock; a hidden monastery of a dead religion, never seen before this far south on the Illisian continent.It’s stone doors are opened to reveal a secret, and something malicious moves in the shadows, to keep that secret.Captain Katarina Salisbury is drawn to the monastery, she struggles against forces that would stop her. As the weather worsens she is forced to make choices for herself and the future of the Iron LadyBuy HERE -ItunesAmazonKoboGoogleBarns and Noble
Find out more about E.J. Dawson...EJ Dawson was born rather tardily (a fault that was to continue throughout life) in the picture perfect spring of 1983 in Canberra, Australia. Growing up on an abandoned mine next to a huge pine forest, time turned the once lovely weatherboard house and carefully kept grounds into creaky old home with rambling gardens. A wondrous place for a child to explore, accompanied by parents devoted to books and reading aloud.From this her thirst for fiction was grown, nurtured, and has never ended.Flitting between wanting to be a vet, biologist, meteorologist, archaeologist she settled into a double degree in history and archaeologist before moving into the working world. During school and university she never stopped writing, including taking creative writing courses and starting on her own novels, the first being finished when she was eighteen.None of these seemed to be quite right, and so the writing never stopped.Losing several novels over the years, in 2014 during a spontaneous moment a book involving airship chases and things that crept in the dark leapt to mind, and the first 50 thousand words written in the course of several weeks over a hot summer. Still reeling from the initial idea, the world she had created came into bloom, one novel idea at a time, until an intricate web had formed.The Last Prophecy, a steampunk flavoured suspenseful fantasy series has been likened to the Mummy crossed with Star Trek by reviewers. The first novella, The Hidden Monastery, is available as an e-book from Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, iBooks and Google Play. The Last Prophecy, the next novella in the series, is due out at the end of 2016. The first book in the series, The Well of Youth, is due out in mid 2017.EJ Dawson currently resides in rural Victoria with her loving husband, demanding felines, and very relaxed python. Still working full time, when she isn’t writing, she’s playing RPG games, computer games, and, of course, reading.Follow on...WebsiteFacebookTwitter
January 11, 2017
Promo! Beyond the Red Carpet
Beyond the Red Carpet, by Debbra LynnBlurb:Sophia Donovan had it all: a beautiful home in the Hollywood Hills, a successful career at a high-profile celebrity magazine, amazing friends – and she was married to one of the hottest Hollywood Directors of their time. Things between her and her husband Marcus weren’t perfect but after 11 years, what marriage was? But if the secrets that lay behind the walls of the Donovan home were ever exposed life would never be the same for anyone.When an unexpected visitor from Sophia’s past shows up, it forces her to come to terms with her suspicions. As she unravels the truth about the people closest to her, it quickly becomes clear that fighting to save her marriage won’t be nearly as important as fighting to save her life.Buy HERE:AmazonFollow Debbra Lynn HERE:FacebookTwitter Website
January 7, 2017
After You
After You, (Me Before You, Book 2), by Jojo Moyes
Blurb:Lou Clark has lots of questions.Like how it is she's ended up working in an airport bar, spending every shift watching other people jet off to new places.Or why the flat she's owned for a year still doesn't feel like home.Whether her close-knit family can forgive her for what she did eighteen months ago.And will she ever get over the love of her life.What Lou does know for certain is that something has to change.Then, one night, it does.But does the stranger on her doorstep hold the answers Lou is searching for - or just more questions?Close the door and life continues: simple, ordered, safe.Open it and she risks everything.But Lou once made a promise to live. And if she's going to keep it, she has to invite them in . . .Okay, so I enjoyed Me Before you, the book before this, but honestly didn't think it was worth all the hype, therefore, I didn't actually have any intentions of reading this one. I felt the story was finished. How wrong I was! I enjoyed this book so much and I actually thought it was better than the first one. Personally I found this far more enjoyable and, surprisingly, more emotional.I think the main thing was that this book was more relatable; most people can imagine what it's like to lose someone and the grief process - the circumstances aren't as specific as in book one. I felt for Louisa at every stage of this book and could understand everything she did.As for characters, Louisa was great and I fell in love with Sam. Louisa's parents and sister continued to annoy me but not as much so as in the first book and for the record I think Lou did the right thing about Lily, that girl needed someone to look out for her! Lily was a good character too - pure stroppy teenager - and although I would have pitched a fit and some of the things she did, in the end her behaviour was understandable, if not acceptable. Plus, I liked that Nathan wasn't just forgotten and, though he wasn't a main character, he did play a role.The end with the ambulance and Sam was a surprise - a good one! - and I enjoyed ever second of it. In fact, I enjoyed every second of this entire book!My favourite quotes from 'After You':' "You didn't give me a bloody life, did you? Not really. You just smashed up my old one. Smashed it into little pieces. What am I meant to do with what's left. ... " '' "... I did what I could.""You did what you wanted. ..." '' "She'd hardly a child.""She's worse than a child. Teenagers are basically toddles with hormones - old enough to want to do stuff without having any of the common sense. ..." ''The young are terrifying, I thought. They are without boundaries. They fear nothing.''I felt suddenly crushingly sad for him, and had to look away before I made myself sad, too.'' "Do you ever follow rules?""When I think they're sensible." ''... enclosed in a bubble of happiness, aware that bubbles only ever existed for so long before they popped ...''I probably only held it together myself before e couldn't all go to pieces.''Perhaps all freedom - physical, personal - only came at the cost of somebody or something else.''... someone who understood that appearances were, if not everything, at least the foundation of something.'' "I think people get bored of grief," said Natasha. "It's like you're allowed some unspoken allotted time - six months, maybe - and then they get faintly irritated that you're not 'better'. It's like you're being self-indulgent hanging onto your unhappiness." '
Blurb:Lou Clark has lots of questions.Like how it is she's ended up working in an airport bar, spending every shift watching other people jet off to new places.Or why the flat she's owned for a year still doesn't feel like home.Whether her close-knit family can forgive her for what she did eighteen months ago.And will she ever get over the love of her life.What Lou does know for certain is that something has to change.Then, one night, it does.But does the stranger on her doorstep hold the answers Lou is searching for - or just more questions?Close the door and life continues: simple, ordered, safe.Open it and she risks everything.But Lou once made a promise to live. And if she's going to keep it, she has to invite them in . . .Okay, so I enjoyed Me Before you, the book before this, but honestly didn't think it was worth all the hype, therefore, I didn't actually have any intentions of reading this one. I felt the story was finished. How wrong I was! I enjoyed this book so much and I actually thought it was better than the first one. Personally I found this far more enjoyable and, surprisingly, more emotional.I think the main thing was that this book was more relatable; most people can imagine what it's like to lose someone and the grief process - the circumstances aren't as specific as in book one. I felt for Louisa at every stage of this book and could understand everything she did.As for characters, Louisa was great and I fell in love with Sam. Louisa's parents and sister continued to annoy me but not as much so as in the first book and for the record I think Lou did the right thing about Lily, that girl needed someone to look out for her! Lily was a good character too - pure stroppy teenager - and although I would have pitched a fit and some of the things she did, in the end her behaviour was understandable, if not acceptable. Plus, I liked that Nathan wasn't just forgotten and, though he wasn't a main character, he did play a role.The end with the ambulance and Sam was a surprise - a good one! - and I enjoyed ever second of it. In fact, I enjoyed every second of this entire book!My favourite quotes from 'After You':' "You didn't give me a bloody life, did you? Not really. You just smashed up my old one. Smashed it into little pieces. What am I meant to do with what's left. ... " '' "... I did what I could.""You did what you wanted. ..." '' "She'd hardly a child.""She's worse than a child. Teenagers are basically toddles with hormones - old enough to want to do stuff without having any of the common sense. ..." ''The young are terrifying, I thought. They are without boundaries. They fear nothing.''I felt suddenly crushingly sad for him, and had to look away before I made myself sad, too.'' "Do you ever follow rules?""When I think they're sensible." ''... enclosed in a bubble of happiness, aware that bubbles only ever existed for so long before they popped ...''I probably only held it together myself before e couldn't all go to pieces.''Perhaps all freedom - physical, personal - only came at the cost of somebody or something else.''... someone who understood that appearances were, if not everything, at least the foundation of something.'' "I think people get bored of grief," said Natasha. "It's like you're allowed some unspoken allotted time - six months, maybe - and then they get faintly irritated that you're not 'better'. It's like you're being self-indulgent hanging onto your unhappiness." '
January 3, 2017
No Rest for the Wicked
No Rest for the Wicked
Blurb:When a rich gentleman finds a beautiful young woman lying in the snow, on the brink of death, he takes her back to his house and, when she has recovered, employs her as a maid. Immediately Elira realizes that Anthony Luther is no ordinary man and nothing about the house she now lives in is as it seems, for Anthony is a powerful wizard.Inexplicably drawn together, they begin a tentative romance, but it’s not just Elira’s uncertainties and the rules of upper-class society which drive a wedge between them; rivalries and a precious family heirloom, a priceless necklace of unforeseen power handed down through generations, threaten not only the couple’s happiness, but also their lives and the safety of the people around them.To check out an EXCERPT and TEASERS clickHERE.Get your copy...Amazon UKAmazon US And all other Amazon sites!
Blurb:When a rich gentleman finds a beautiful young woman lying in the snow, on the brink of death, he takes her back to his house and, when she has recovered, employs her as a maid. Immediately Elira realizes that Anthony Luther is no ordinary man and nothing about the house she now lives in is as it seems, for Anthony is a powerful wizard.Inexplicably drawn together, they begin a tentative romance, but it’s not just Elira’s uncertainties and the rules of upper-class society which drive a wedge between them; rivalries and a precious family heirloom, a priceless necklace of unforeseen power handed down through generations, threaten not only the couple’s happiness, but also their lives and the safety of the people around them.To check out an EXCERPT and TEASERS clickHERE.Get your copy...Amazon UKAmazon US And all other Amazon sites!
December 31, 2016
The Jungle Book
The Jungle Book, by Rudyard Kipling
Blurb:Saved from the jaws of the evil tiger Shere Khan, young Mowgli is adopted by a wolf pack and taught the law of the jungle by lovable old Baloo the bear and Bhageera the panther. Tales of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi the snake-fighting mongoose, little Toomai and the elephant's secret dance, and Kotick the white seal join Mowgli's journey.If I had know how beautiful this book was I'd have read it a long time ago! The copy I have of this book belonged to my mum before me and her mum before that, so it's a book I'd treasure even if I hadn't loved it and it's a book I hope to read my children one day.Mowgli's story was lovely, though the films don't stick to the book which I didn't expect. The one main difference was that Kaa wasn't actually a villain, but more of a misunderstood acquaintance! He actually turned out to be one of my favourite characters - though I loved Akela and Bagheera to. Mowgli's story was full of great characters and fun adventures with the themes of family, friendship and finding where you belong. My only complaint was that Mowgli's story was too short... I wanted more!There were also several other short stories in this book, which I actually wasn't expecting; I thought The Jungle Book was entirely about Mowgli. The one about the seal was nice and I really enjoyed Rikki-tikki-tavi - I thought that one was great! The last two about the elephants and the other group of animals were alright, but not as enjoyable as the others.My favourite quotes from 'The Jungle Book':'... I was Bagheera, the Panther, and no man's plaything, and I broke the silly lock with one blow of my paw ... ''My heart is heavy with the things that i do not understand.''It is the hardest thing in the world to frighten a mongoose, because it is eaten up from nose to tail with curiosity. The motto of all the mongoose family is, 'Run and find out'...'' "A lot I should have cared whose fault it was, if it hurt!" ''I know just enough to be uncomfortable, and not enough to go on in spite of it.'
Blurb:Saved from the jaws of the evil tiger Shere Khan, young Mowgli is adopted by a wolf pack and taught the law of the jungle by lovable old Baloo the bear and Bhageera the panther. Tales of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi the snake-fighting mongoose, little Toomai and the elephant's secret dance, and Kotick the white seal join Mowgli's journey.If I had know how beautiful this book was I'd have read it a long time ago! The copy I have of this book belonged to my mum before me and her mum before that, so it's a book I'd treasure even if I hadn't loved it and it's a book I hope to read my children one day.Mowgli's story was lovely, though the films don't stick to the book which I didn't expect. The one main difference was that Kaa wasn't actually a villain, but more of a misunderstood acquaintance! He actually turned out to be one of my favourite characters - though I loved Akela and Bagheera to. Mowgli's story was full of great characters and fun adventures with the themes of family, friendship and finding where you belong. My only complaint was that Mowgli's story was too short... I wanted more!There were also several other short stories in this book, which I actually wasn't expecting; I thought The Jungle Book was entirely about Mowgli. The one about the seal was nice and I really enjoyed Rikki-tikki-tavi - I thought that one was great! The last two about the elephants and the other group of animals were alright, but not as enjoyable as the others.My favourite quotes from 'The Jungle Book':'... I was Bagheera, the Panther, and no man's plaything, and I broke the silly lock with one blow of my paw ... ''My heart is heavy with the things that i do not understand.''It is the hardest thing in the world to frighten a mongoose, because it is eaten up from nose to tail with curiosity. The motto of all the mongoose family is, 'Run and find out'...'' "A lot I should have cared whose fault it was, if it hurt!" ''I know just enough to be uncomfortable, and not enough to go on in spite of it.'
December 29, 2016
A Walk To Remember
A Walk To Remember, by Nicholas Sparks
Blurb:Every April, when the wind blows from the sea and mingles with the scent of lilacs, Landon Carter remembers his last year at Beaufort High. It was 1958, and Landon had already dated a girl or two. He even swore that he had once been in love. Certainly the last person in town he thought he'd fall for was Jamie Sullivan, the daughter of the town's Baptist minister. A quiet girl who always carried a Bible with her schoolbooks, Jamie seemed content living in a world apart from the other teens. She took care of her widowed father, rescued hurt animals, and helped out at the local orphanage. No boy had ever asked her out. Landon would never have dreamed of it. Then a twist of fate made Jamie his partner for the homecoming dance, and Landon Carter's life would never be the same. Being with Jamie would show him the depths of the human heart and lead him to a decision so stunning it would send him irrevocably on the road to manhood...I don't recall ever reading a Nicholas Sparks book I didn't enjoy - obviously, some I like more than other but that's only natural. Surprisingly though, I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would, though I did still like it and read it in very little time. I should probably mention that I love this film, even though it made me cry like a baby, however, the book is actually quite different, with more focus on their relationship before Landon finds out Jamie's secret, which is perhaps why I didn't enjoy it quite as much as I thought I would. I felt like there wasn't really enough time spent on the book one Landon knew she was ill. Also, it didn't make me cry.Don't get me wrong, this is a very good book. It is touching and heartfelt and the characters and understandable and you really feel connected to them, but I just wanted more on the "second part" of the book. The writing is very simple and funny at times, aimed more towards a younger audience I would say.Also, the ending... What does that mean?! Does it mean she got her miracle, got better and lived? Or does it mean she was his miracle because she changed him? Being a hopeless romantic, I choose to believe the former and end the book on a happy note, despite the films take on that last line!My favourite quotes from 'A Walk to Remember':'My mother didn't go with him because both of them wanted me to grow up "the same way they had".Of course, my father's father took him hunting and fishing, taught him to play ball, showed up to birthday parties, all that small stuff that adds up to quite a bit before adulthood''Gossip is one thing, hurtful gossip is completely another,''I could tell he really loved her and wasn't afraid to show it. It was how he felt about me that was the problem.''With her, you just knew she talked to the Lord every day, and you never knew what the "Big Guy upstairs" had told her.''Attitudes forged since childhood are hard to break,''If people don't like you, or they think you're strange, then that's their problem.'' "I'm frightened all the time.""Then why don't you act like it?""I do. I just do it in private.""Because you don't trust me?""No," she said, "because I know you're frightened, too." '' "What's your heart telling you to do?""I don't know.""Maybe," she said gently, "you're trying too hard to hear it." '' "But you haven't lost your faith?""No." I knew she hadn't, but I think I was losing mine.''Jamie was more than just a woman I loved. In that year Jamie helped me become the man I am today.'
Blurb:Every April, when the wind blows from the sea and mingles with the scent of lilacs, Landon Carter remembers his last year at Beaufort High. It was 1958, and Landon had already dated a girl or two. He even swore that he had once been in love. Certainly the last person in town he thought he'd fall for was Jamie Sullivan, the daughter of the town's Baptist minister. A quiet girl who always carried a Bible with her schoolbooks, Jamie seemed content living in a world apart from the other teens. She took care of her widowed father, rescued hurt animals, and helped out at the local orphanage. No boy had ever asked her out. Landon would never have dreamed of it. Then a twist of fate made Jamie his partner for the homecoming dance, and Landon Carter's life would never be the same. Being with Jamie would show him the depths of the human heart and lead him to a decision so stunning it would send him irrevocably on the road to manhood...I don't recall ever reading a Nicholas Sparks book I didn't enjoy - obviously, some I like more than other but that's only natural. Surprisingly though, I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would, though I did still like it and read it in very little time. I should probably mention that I love this film, even though it made me cry like a baby, however, the book is actually quite different, with more focus on their relationship before Landon finds out Jamie's secret, which is perhaps why I didn't enjoy it quite as much as I thought I would. I felt like there wasn't really enough time spent on the book one Landon knew she was ill. Also, it didn't make me cry.Don't get me wrong, this is a very good book. It is touching and heartfelt and the characters and understandable and you really feel connected to them, but I just wanted more on the "second part" of the book. The writing is very simple and funny at times, aimed more towards a younger audience I would say.Also, the ending... What does that mean?! Does it mean she got her miracle, got better and lived? Or does it mean she was his miracle because she changed him? Being a hopeless romantic, I choose to believe the former and end the book on a happy note, despite the films take on that last line!My favourite quotes from 'A Walk to Remember':'My mother didn't go with him because both of them wanted me to grow up "the same way they had".Of course, my father's father took him hunting and fishing, taught him to play ball, showed up to birthday parties, all that small stuff that adds up to quite a bit before adulthood''Gossip is one thing, hurtful gossip is completely another,''I could tell he really loved her and wasn't afraid to show it. It was how he felt about me that was the problem.''With her, you just knew she talked to the Lord every day, and you never knew what the "Big Guy upstairs" had told her.''Attitudes forged since childhood are hard to break,''If people don't like you, or they think you're strange, then that's their problem.'' "I'm frightened all the time.""Then why don't you act like it?""I do. I just do it in private.""Because you don't trust me?""No," she said, "because I know you're frightened, too." '' "What's your heart telling you to do?""I don't know.""Maybe," she said gently, "you're trying too hard to hear it." '' "But you haven't lost your faith?""No." I knew she hadn't, but I think I was losing mine.''Jamie was more than just a woman I loved. In that year Jamie helped me become the man I am today.'
Damn You, Autocorrect!
Damn You, Autocorrect!, by Jillian Madison
Blurb:Damn You, Autocorrect! brings together some of the laugh-out-loud funny and painfully embarrassing posts from the hit website, which highlight the hilarity that often ensues when messaging goes wrong: girlfriends getting together for 'manila penis' (mani pedis); a husband texting his wife that he 'laid' the babysitter (paid); a friend asking if someone got tickets to the 'Lady Vagina' (Gaga) concert, and the most popular image on the website so far: a father texting his daughter that he and his mother were going to divorce, when they were in fact just going to Disney. Oops.Some of these were funny, others not so much. It just depends on your sense of humour. You read one and it makes you smile, then the next makes you laugh and before you know it you've built up to full on hysteria!
Blurb:Damn You, Autocorrect! brings together some of the laugh-out-loud funny and painfully embarrassing posts from the hit website, which highlight the hilarity that often ensues when messaging goes wrong: girlfriends getting together for 'manila penis' (mani pedis); a husband texting his wife that he 'laid' the babysitter (paid); a friend asking if someone got tickets to the 'Lady Vagina' (Gaga) concert, and the most popular image on the website so far: a father texting his daughter that he and his mother were going to divorce, when they were in fact just going to Disney. Oops.Some of these were funny, others not so much. It just depends on your sense of humour. You read one and it makes you smile, then the next makes you laugh and before you know it you've built up to full on hysteria!
