Lisa Marie Pottgen's Blog, page 13
January 11, 2015
ARC Review: How My Summer Went Up in Flames by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski #mynetgalley
Title: How My Summer Went Up in Flames
Author: Jennifer Salvato Doktorski
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: May 7, 2013
Page Count: 322
Where I got it: Netgalley
Where you can get it: Amazon
How much: List Price 17.99
Format I read it in: eARC
Description/Blurb:
First she lost her heart. Then she lost her mind. And now she’s on a road trip to win back her ex. This debut novel’s packed with drama and romance!
Rosie’s always been impulsive. She didn’t intend to set her cheating ex-boyfriend’s car on fire. And she never thought her attempts to make amends could be considered stalking. So when she’s served with a temporary restraining order on the first day of summer vacation, she’s heartbroken—and furious.
To put distance between Rosie and her ex, Rosie’s parents send her on a cross-country road trip with responsible, reliable neighbor Matty and his two friends. Forget freedom of the road, Rosie wants to hitchhike home and win back her ex. But her determination starts to dwindle with each passing mile. Because Rosie’s spark of anger? It may have just ignited a romance with someone new…
My Thoughts:
How My Summer Went Up in Flames by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I have to be honest. I had a little trouble getting into this one at first. To me, the opening was a little awkward and I felt like I had missed something. It was hard for me to imagine getting into that kind of trouble and having my parents ship me off on a cross country trip with 3 boys, 2 of whom they had never previously met. It just seemed really surreal to me.
Rosie just kind of irritated me a little. She is your typical self-centered teenage girl. But maybe that is the beauty of it. She is a character that a lot of people can relate to. I just am not one of them. I am probably more closely like Matty and Spencer, the nerdy type who was too busy in a book or learning something to have much of a social life.
By far, Avery was one of my favorite characters. She had money, but she was not so full of herself as to forget that it is important to do something for other people. I think having met Avery had the biggest impact on how Rosie turned out as a person. But maybe that is just me.
Overall, this was a quick, fun read. When so many of the books I have read lately have been on the heavier side, it was nice to read something light and silly. I read this book in less than 24 hours. Sometimes in summer, a quick read is just the fix I need.
**DISCLAIMER** In full compliance with FTC Guidelines, I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was in no way compensated for this opinion, and the thoughts are my own. Links above will take you to a site where you can PURCHASE a copy. Using those links will take you through an affiliate link and I will receive a small percentage of the purchase cost. You are in no way obligated to use affiliate links and there is no additional cost to do so.
January 9, 2015
ARC Review: Inland by Kat Rosenfield
Title: Inland
Author: Kat Rosenfield
Publisher: Dutton Children’s
Publication Date: June 12, 2014
Page Count: 401
Where I got it: First to Read
Where you can get it: Amazon
How much: List Price 17.99
Format I read it in: eARC
Description/Blurb:
There was a shadow in the water. And when it moved beneath our boat, the sea opened its yawning blue mouth and swallowed my mother whole.
After nine years spent suffocating in the arid expanses of the Midwest, far from the sea where her mother drowned, Callie Morgan and her father are returning to the coast. And miraculously, Callie can finally breathe easily. No more sudden, clawing attacks and weeklong hospital stays.
But something is calling to her from the river behind their house and from the ocean miles away. Just as her life begins to feel like her own, and the potential for romance is blossoming, the intoxicating pull of the dark water seeps into her mind, filling her with doubt and revealing family secrets. Is it madness, or is there a voice, beckoning her to come to sea? To answer the call of the dark waves. To come home.
My Thoughts:
Inland by Kat Rosenfield
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I received this book via the Penguin First to Read program.
I struggled a little with this book at first. But once I got going, I enjoyed the story.
Think about every mermaid story you have ever heard, read or been told. Then imagine that every single one of them had it wrong. Imagine Disney’s The Little Mermaid combines with Amanda Hocking’s Wake, and then they violently collide with the Grim’s Fairy Tale guys, and you might come close.
The situations and settings in this story may not be well suited to younger readers. Though the story is classified as young adult, it is better suited to the more mature end of that spectrum, as younger or more sensitive readers might have nightmares.
As a Florida resident, I thought the setting and backdrop for the Florida part of the story was well researched and accurate.
The fact that Callie would feel and breathe better when she was closer to the water was fairly heavily foreshadowed, though, and I saw that coming. I might have liked it better if a little more were left to the imagination with that part of it, but who knows. I am just one reader in a see of MILLIONS.
If I had to choose a favorite character in this book, it would be a tossup between Bea and Ben. The little girl just tugged at my heartstrings, and who would have thought that her obsession with mermaids would turn out to be pivotal to the story in the end. Ben is just full of sweet innocence and geeky charm. Something about him just made me want to love him, too.
If you read and enjoyed Amanda Hocking’s Watersong series, this one is right up your alley. Give it a read. Though it is dark, it is also enthralling.
**DISCLAIMER** In full compliance with FTC Guidelines, I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Penquin’s First to Read program in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was in no way compensated for this opinion, and the thoughts are my own. Links above will take you to a site where you can PURCHASE a copy. Using those links will take you through an affiliate link and I will receive a small percentage of the purchase cost. You are in no way obligated to use affiliate links and there is no additional cost to do so.
January 8, 2015
#BoutofBooks Day 3 Update
Day 3 was kind of a bust for me. I made the Twitter chat, but only read about 50 pages or so. I also skipped the challenge for the day because I just couldn’t think of anything!
Day 4 is not looking like it is going to be much better, but Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be my big push days.
January 7, 2015
#Boutofbooks Day 2 Update
Well, my 2nd day of Bout of Books went MUCH better than my first!
For the reading part of things, I finished Behind Enemy Lines, which was roughly 150 pages of reading. I then started on The Queen, by Kiera Cass, and read about 16 pages of that, which puts my total pages read for the day at 156, and my total so far for the readathon at 201. While not as high as some other people’s totals, I find this respectable. I am well on my way into my 2nd read and will definitely finish it in day 3.
I participated in the Top 10 Recommendations challenge, and boy was that hard! It felt nearly impossible to narrow it down to ONLY 10 recommendations….
I spent a fair amount of time on Twitter chatting with other participants. I slacked a little on commenting on other blogs today, but i will work on that for tomorrow, because I need to be more social…especially since that is one of my favorite parts of blogging.
All in all I think day 2 was a complete success. I even managed to have my day 1 update posted before 8 a.m.!!!!
I have moved on to a few novellas for reading now because I love that they often continue the story in a series and give you more behind the scenes info, and I always enjoy getting to know more about favorite characters.
I can’t wait for day 3’s Twitter chat, and hope I can participate but it does fall during work hours, so not sure if I will be able to.
How was your day 2? Fill me in below and I will come see your post.
The Rare Just Another Rabid Reader Product Review of the Fisher Price iPad Apptivity Case
I had purchased this product for my autistic 3 year old who was gifted a first generation iPad from her uncle. I know, I know. Most people think I am a little crazy for giving an iPad to a 3 year old, but for her it is a therapy tool and has helped her so much since she has had it.I wanted to wait until we had had it for at least a week or so before I posted the review. Let’s face it. A 3 year old who has autism and some other problems is going to drop a device like that and risk serious damage. That was what I was waiting for. She had dropped the iPad once before receiving the case and we got very lucky in that it had not sustained any damage. I know it could have been worse.
Now, since having the case, it has been dropped several times. There is not even a scratch on it. It has withstood the rough and tumble lifestyle of a very hyperactive preschooler and withstood the flings across the room when, due to her autism, she gets frustrated when she cannot do something right. It has held up to the abuse she dishes out without nary a problem. And, she loves that it is pink and has pretty designs on it. The stylus was an added bonus.
I have seen some other reviews where people have noticed that the stylus broke easily. We have not had this problem. My daughter has outright chewed on the thing and it has held up to that. Some have commented that the screen was less than responsive with the built in screen protector. I have not had that problem at all. It does what she wants when she wants it too and we have had no complaints in that department.
Now, why, you might ask, am I only giving it 4 stars then?
Well, I wish the stylus was held on in the case more securely. When you open the case, it falls out and i had to hunt on the floor for it and reposition it and get it set just so. While you have access to the volume buttons and the sleep button and the screen lock button, you can’t use headphones with the device. This greatly upset my daughter because she has some new tiger headphones that she cannot use with it in the case, and she is not able to use the device out of the case. She also is not able to adjust the volume herself so we can’t tell her to turn it down when it is too loud because she lacks the dexterity to get into the little hole on the back to access the volume. You can’t charge the device in the case so it is harder to have it ready for the child first thing when they wake up. Some minor pet peeves, but we still love this product. Be warned, if you have a first gen that was made without the camera, you cannot use the cards that come with the device as they require using the camera to be useful. The cards were not a huge selling point for us, so no big deal, but for others it might be.
Overall, a very sturdy product and it is made by Otterbox. You will get your money’s worth and then some out of this case.
January 6, 2015
#Boutofbooks Challenge: Top Ten Recommendations
Today’s challenge for #Boutofbooks is hosted by the lovely blogger over at Trees of Reverie! And this one is so much fun, but also a bit of a … Mind bender because deciding what other people may want to read in a given set of circumstances can be an interesting proposition! So the challenge instructions:
The Challenge: You’ve just started to work at a bookstore (or library) – what are your top ten go-to book recommendations?
Prompts:
You may select any TEN BOOKS of your choice. These books can be from a specific genre, or you may like to choose a few books from various genres.
Make a list of the TEN BOOKS that you’ve selected. Make sure to include the title and author of each book.Extra Prompts:
Why did you choose these books?
What would you say about each of these books when recommending them to a customer or library patron?
What would be close favourites for book recommendations that didn’t make it onto your list?
Is there anything else that you’d like to mention about the books you’ve chosen to include on this list?
How you wish to complete this part of the challenge is completely up to you, but remember that the more you do, the more you and your fellow bloggers will get out of the challenge.
So, wow. I think I would have to go with these. They are in no particular order:
1.
This book is a must read for anyone who ever interacts with kids (or even adults) on the autism spectrum. As the mother of an autistic child, I found this to be a fairly emotional read. It was awkward and heartbreaking and so, diverse and unique that I couldn’t even begin to describe it properly. But I think everyone needs to read this book.
2.
There is just something about this book. There are so many life lessons to be had, and I feel like this is a must read for EVERYONE.
3.
There is just something…. Poignant about this particular book. This was, by far, one of my favorite reads in high school. First off, whenever you think you have it bad, this will remind you that it could always be worse. Your plane could crash and leave you and a bunch of other teenage boys stranded on an island. And it is just a beautifully written tale of coming of age.
4.
This kind of goes hand in hand with the last one, and could even make a good substitute if you can’t get through Lord of the Flies, because to me they are very similar stories. I tend to search for meaning in things I read, and this one struck me as a similar concept as Lord of the Flies, so could make a good substitute.
5.
For when you need some perspective. We should all strive to be a bit more like John Coffey (like the drink, only spelled different) in our day to day life. We should strive to do what is right and to help people wherever we can. I actually think I got more emotional with this than I did with many other reads.
6.
I really just absolutely adore this series. I love everything about it. And the author Rocks.
7.
Another just awesome series. There is something about it that just draws me in. The author paints wonderful pictures with the words held within these pages. You just have to experience it.
8.
Every parent should read this. If nothing else, view it as an instruction guide. I read this as a teenager when I was struggling through the “My life sucks” syndrome. Be warned, this book will kick you in the tear ducts and knock you to your knees with emotion. But you really do need to read it. And every other book in this series, which starts with A Child Called “It” and ends with “A Man Named Dave.”
The journey through the three books will show you how anything can be overcome and nothing is insurmountable. I think back on this every time I look at my children and I wonder how any parent could ever put their own flesh and blood through that.
9.
An amazing tale of friendship in the most unlikely of circumstances. This book reminded me so much of the movie “Beaches” with Bette Middler. I absolutely loved every page, as well as the sequel, “Fly Away.” Just, go read them.
10.
I know, I know, totally cliche. But there really is not enough I can say about this book. I have pushed this book at everyone I know. It really is one of those books that you really just have to experience. I honestly think that Nicholas Sparks may have someone giving him a run for his money now, and should watch out.
So there are my recommendations! Have you read any of these? What are your top ten recs if you were working in a book store?
#Boutofbooks Day 1 Updates
Well, fellow Bout of Books-ers, day 1 has come to a close. How did you do with your goals? Did you get tons of reading done?
I did not get as much reading done as I had hoped, especially considering it was my only day off, but I did get some things accomplished, as follows:
Book: Behind Enemy Lines: Infinity Ring, Book 6, by Jennifer Nielsen
Pages Read: About 45 (23%) of 195 pages read on my Kindle.
Challenges participated in: I actually was able to complete both challenges for the day, which I am super excited about!
Twitter Party Attended: Check!
Also spent some time on twitter and visited a bunch of blogs and generally did a lot of chatting with people. I think I probably spent more time on social media than I did reading, but I am completely okay with that.
Looking forward to day 2 and all the fun it shall bring! How about you? How did you do for day 1?
January 5, 2015
Bookshelf Scavenger Hunt!!! #boutofbooks #BoBScavengerHunt
The blogger over at Caught Read Handed is hosting a challenge for Bout of Books … A Scavenger hunt!
So we had this list of things we had to find… First of which was a book with an author with the Same Initials as you have. I lamented this for quite a while, thinking that there are no other authors with my initials.. And then I remembered… I have my initials!!!
For #1. See, that’s me at the bottom! Lisa Marie Pottgen!!!!!!
#2: Yellow: The Counterfeit Family Tree.
3. Author’s name with S: Jennifer Nielsen – Runaway King
4. Female Protag: Wake!!
5. Longest you own: Complete LOTR!
6. Map: Complete LOTR!
7: A face: Wake!!
I may have cheated and used the same book for two things twice and all, but they are all there!
New Year’s Resolution Challenge #boutofbooks
This challenge was hosted by The Book That…
The mission, should you choose to accept it:
New Year’s Resolutions
Whether you have made reading resolutions or want to use general life resolutions you have made over the New Year holiday, pick books with titles that relate to each of your resolutions. You can post as many or as few as you would like.
There are so many things I hope to accomplish with my blog and my reading and my TBR pile this year. So let’s see.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Represents my resolution to get my Netgalley and Edelweiss TBRs under control.
Delirium by Lauren Oliver Fairly firmly represents what I must have been operating on when I decide to undertake the goal of participating in and completing several reading challenges!
Take Me On by Katie McGarry Represents how my blog taunts me as I try to keep my content scheduled so the blog doesn’t go dark again!
What are some of your resolutions?
The Official 2015 TBR Pile Challenge
So, the blogger over at Roof Beam Reader is yet again hosting a challenge geared at helping us get through those reads that have been hanging around for more than a year! From the website:
The Goal: To finally read 12 books from your “to be read” pile (within 12 months).
Specifics:
1. Each of these 12 books must have been on your bookshelf or “To Be Read” list for AT LEAST one full year. This means the book cannot have a publication date of 1/1/2014 or later (any book published in the year 2013 or earlier qualifies, as long as it has been on your TBR pile – I WILL be checking publication dates). Caveat: Two (2) alternates are allowed, just in case one or two of the books end up in the “can’t get through” pile.
…….
*Note – You can read the books on your list in any order; they do not need to be read in the order you have them listed. As you complete a book – review it, and go back to your original list and turn that title into a link to the review - that will keep the comments section here from getting ridiculously cluttered. For an example of what I mean, Click Here.
Monthly Check-Ins: On the 15th of each month, I’m going to post a “TBR Pile Check-In.” This will allow participants to link-up their reviews from the past month and get some recognition for their progress. There will also be small mini-challenges and giveaways to go along with these posts (Such As: Read 6 books by the June Check-in and be entered to win a book of your choice!). I’m hoping this will help to keep us all on track and make the challenge a bit more engaging/interactive. I started these mini-challenges last year, and I think they were a great success, so I am continuing them this year!
Chat: On Twitter, Instagram & Facebook, use #TBR2015RBR
So..My list:
Rooms by James Rubart (April 1, 2010)
The New Kid by Temple Matthews (October 5, 2010)
Lullaby by Amanda Hocking (November 27, 2012)
And All The Stars by Andrea K Host (October 1, 2012)
Mira’s Diary by Marissa Moss (September 11, 2012)
Alterntiy by Mari Mancuso (October 19, 2012)
Freak of Nature by Julia Crane (January 9, 2013)
Someday, Someday Maybe by Lauren Graham (April 30, 2013)
Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead (June 4, 2013)
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater (September 17, 2013)
These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman (December 10, 2013)
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa (February 1, 2010)
ALTERNATES:
The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa (August 1, 2010)
Prep School Confidential by Kara Taylor (July 30, 2013)
So, who else has an overwhelming TBR pile? Are you participating? Let me know!!!
