Lisa Marie Pottgen's Blog, page 14
January 5, 2015
Review: Grimnirs (Runes Book 2.5) by Ednah Walters
Title: Grimnirs
Author: Ednah Walters
Page Count: 286
Where I got it: Library
Where you can get it: Amazon
How much: List Price Paperback , Nook , Kindle
Format I read it in: Kindle
Description/Blurb:
Straight out of the psych ward, Cora just wants her life to be normal. She doesn’t want to see souls or the reapers collecting them. The guy she’s loved from a distance for years moves away without saying goodbye. So yes, she’s nursing a serious heartbreak. It’s no wonder love is the last thing on her mind when Echo storms into her life.The chemistry between them is mind-blowing.The connection defies logic. Even better, the souls leave her alone when he is around.
Too bad Echo is the poster boy for everything she hates in a guy—hot, beautiful,and cocky. He is also a soul reaper. A Grimnir.
The very beings she wants out of her life. Maybe normal is overrated because Cora wants it all. Answers. Love. A life.
Reading Order:
Runes (book 1)
Immortals (book 2)
Grimnirs (book 2.5, Full length book, Ages 17&up) or Grimnirs: Clean Version
Seeress (book 3)
My Thoughts:
Grimnirs by Ednah Walters
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
I wanted to love this story. I really, really did. I liked the idea of each book in this series. But this one was very poorly edited and it really, really turned me off and made it hard to read.
The story had a fair amount of “adult content,” which I had not been expecting. The earlier books read like typical young adult romance, but in this one, things got pretty hot and heavy. It might have been nice to have been warned about that.
Note: The adult content has since been cleaned up and released as a “clean version” to be more appropriate for younger audiences.
For the most part, the continuing characters were fairly well developed, although Blaine really fell flat for me in this one. He just needed more body, more substance. To me, he seemed like filler because there needed to be another character. I had almost completely forgotten he existed from the first book.
I usually try not to post anything too negative, but the editing in this one really bothered me. And what I read was a finished copy, borrowed through Kindle Unlimited. So, that makes it hard for me to ignore the editing. There were just too many added words, other words left out, and in some cases, the sentences were just hard to follow due to being poorly structured. When a book is poorly edited, for me this can destroy an otherwise well-written story.
I really like the concept, the idea behind this book and the entire series, it just really could have used a second pair of eyes going over it before the publish button was hit.
**DISCLAIMER** In full compliance with FTC Guidelines, I borrowed this book from the library. 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. Clicking will take you to more information about the book on Goodreads. Clicking will take you to the authors website.
January 4, 2015
WHERE Are You Reading 2015 Challenge!!!! Signing up and Progress Page!
This challenge seems like it will be a lot of fun! The point? Try to read a book from each of the 50 states, and then there are bonus points for reading books outside of the US in addition to that. So, seeing as I am a reading challenge junkie going into 2015, I figured this one would be fun and different to add into the mix!
Alabama:
Alaska
Arizona:
Arkansas:
California:
Colorado:
Connecticut:
Delaware
Florida:
Georgia:
Hawaii:
Idaho:
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana:
Maine:
Maryland:
Massachusetts:
Michigan:
Mississippi
Missouri:
Montana
Nebraska:
Nevada:
New Hampshire:
New Jersey:
New Mexico
New York:
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio:
Oklahoma:
Oregon:
Pennsylvania:
Rhode Island
South Carolina:
South Dakota
Tennessee:
Texas:
Utah
Vermont:
Virginia:
Washington:
West Virginia
Wisconsin:
Wyoming:
Out of US…..
UK: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon
January 3, 2015
The 2015 TBR Challenge!!!
So, my TBR is STAGGERING! I need to get this under control. So, this seemed like a fun way to get that done.
Info’s from the hosting site:
What is the TBR Challenge? Simply put, it’s where readers pick up a long neglected book from their TBR pile, read it, and comment on that read on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. The idea is to read those long neglected books that you just had to get your hands on at the time, but have been languishing in your pile, all lost and forgotten.
Commentary on your chosen TBR read can happen anywhere online (your blog, Facebook, GoodReads, Twitter, a message board etc.) just provide me with a link when you sign-up so interested readers can follow all the challengers!
Why do I make you do “homework?” Honestly? Because it’s fun. Over the years many people have commented how much they enjoy following along with the TBR Challenge participants to discover “long lost gems” and maybe get a different perspective on a book they read years ago. Plus is the one day every month where you are guaranteed to get some good book chatter.
This is a voluntary challenge and I want it to be fun. Which means if you skip a month (or, uh, several), I’m not going to publicly shame you. Hey, life happens. Even to the best of us. Also, I am keeping up with the tradition of providing monthly themes. Some participants like that added focus. Some prefer to go “off theme” and read wherever their mood takes them. And both are perfectly and totally acceptable! The goal of this challenge is to read neglected books out of your TBR, whatever they may be.
Monthly Commentary Dates + Suggest Themes
January 21 – We Love Short Shorts! (Category romance, novellas, short stories)
February 18 – Recommended Read (A book recommended to you by another reader/blogger etc.)
March 18 – Series Catch-Up (A book in a series you are behind on)
April 15 – Contemporary
May 20 – Kickin’ It Old School (Copyright date is 10 years or older)
June 17 – More Than One (An author who has more than one book in your TBR pile)
July 15 – Lovely RITA (past RWA RITA winner and/or nominees – links to lists will be provided at later date)
August 19 – Impulse Read (The book you bought because of the cover or The book you bought on impulse or The book you cannot remember why you bought in the first place!)
September 16 – Historical
October 21 – Paranormal or romantic suspense
November 18 – It’s All About The Hype (a book or author that got everybody talking)
December 16 – Holiday Themes (Christmas, Valentine’s Day, any holiday!)
Doesn’t that sound like fun? Come play along!
The 2015 TBR Challenge!!! is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader
Yay for Diversity #WeReadDiverseBooks
I have long felt that there was a lack of diversity in fiction, and that we needed to be looking outside of our own little boxes to find the hidden gems of the literary world, so I am gladly and happy participating in this challenge this year! Each month, there will be a new topic to choose from.
For January, we are told to pick a book by someone not within the same race as us. I am very decidedly a Caucasian… As in, people go blind if I wear shorts, even! So I have lots and lots of options. I am still trying to decide on a good book but I look forward to this month’s challenge!
Are you participating as well? Let me know!
Yay for Diversity #WeReadDiverseBooks is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader
2015 Netgalley and Edelweiss Reading Challenge
Well, here I am again, the start of a new year and my Netgalley/Edelweiss lists are entirely out of control! I know I am not alone because tons of people have already signed up for this challenge too!
The idea behind this one is to make a dent in it, or if you are really, really lucky, to completely eradicate that NG/EW TBR pile.
There are five different levels we could choose from for this challenge. They are as follows:
Bronze – 10 Books
Silver – 25 Books
Gold – 50 Books
Platinum – 75 Books
Diamond – 100 Books
I think I am going to start out the year striving for gold, but I may change that as the year progresses if need be.
Are you participating in this challenge, too? Let me know below so I can follow your progress too!
2015 Netgalley and Edelweiss Reading Challenge is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader
Just For Fun Reading Challenge 2015
Lori at Escape With Dollycas hosts the Just For Fun Reading Challenge 2015 over on Goodreads. We always have piles and piles of review books as bloggers and reviewers. So it’s awesome to remember why we enjoy reading. The fun of it. So this is why I am here. Click the button above to sign up and join us for a fun challenge! I’ll be updating on this post and in the Goodreads challenge group.
Just For Fun Reading Challenge 2015
January –
February –
March –
April –
May –
June –
July –
August –
September –
October –
November –
December –
From the lovely blogger hosting this challenge
As bloggers we are all on timetables to read books, get reviews posted, host giveaways, etc.
But we also travel around to other blogs and see books we would just like to read because of their recommendation or the cover or title catches our interest. The Meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” adds more books to my Wish List and To-Be-Read pile every week.
As readers of blogs you get our recommendations, win books from us, pick up books at the library or buy them at a store.
But our lives are so busy these books sometimes sit in our To-Be-Read piles for months or even years.
This is the 5th year I am hosting this challenge to
encourage you to read some of those books.
12 books in 12 months.
Just For Fun Reading Challenge 2015 is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader
January 1, 2015
Review: The Maze Runner Files by James Dashner
Title: The Maze Runner Files
Author: James Dashner
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: August 13, 2013
Page Count: 85
Where I got it: Borrowed
Where you can get it: Amazon
How much: List Price 1.99
Format I read it in: Kindle
Description/Blurb:
The Maze Runner Files is a 50+ page collection of classified records and concealed information from the world of the New York Times bestselling Maze Runner series. Lost emails between WICKED employees, memos meant to be destroyed after reading, and a selection of the Gladers suppressed memories make up this e-original short. These documents offer a unique glimpse of the world of The Maze Runner and are a must for any fan of The Maze Runner.
My Thoughts:
The Maze Runner Files by James Dashner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is a collection of bits and pieces that may or may not fill in some of the blanks after having read the entire series. It was a short, quick read that I breezed through in one sitting. It was well edited and decently organized. However, I found it a little frustrating that some of the tidbits actually left me with more questions that will continue to go unanswered, since Mr. Dashner is not writing any more books to go along with this series, at least as far as I am aware.
While I enjoyed reading what was there, I found it marginally frustrating that nearly half of the pages included was a sneak peak for Eye of Minds, which I found to be a bit of a tease and somewhat misleading. I wish there had been more accompanying materials for The Maze Runner.
**DISCLAIMER** In full compliance with FTC Guidelines, I received a copy of this book of my own accord, independent of the author and publisher. 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.
Review: The Maze Runner Files by James Dashner is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader
December 31, 2014
Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
Publisher: Speak, Penguin Group
Publication Date: January 10, 2012
Page Count: 337
Where I got it: Gift
Where you can get it: Amazon
How much: List Price 12.99
Format I read it in: Kindle
Description/Blurb:
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.
Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.
My Thoughts:
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is, by far, one of the hardest reviews I have had to write. I had actually won a print copy of this book in a giveaway or contest or blogging event of some sort last year, though I cannot currently remember which. I then proceeded to use my audible credit to acquire it this month. I then took the Kindle version out from a friend’s public library (as she was kind enough to allow me to use her login for ebooks, since she does not use the service and my library sucks).
I read this book in about 24 hours, and my emotions are so all over the place that I fear this review will be incoherent and rambling at best, but I have to write it. I have to get the thoughts out of my head or I will not be able to sleep. This is the second night in a row that this book has kept me awake.
I both love and hate this book and the author right now. I am so thoroughly pissed at the outcome, and then also so thoroughly lost for the unanswered questions that I am left with. Much like “An Imperial Affliction” left Hazel struggling, desperate to know what happens before she dies, I have the same kind of inner turmoil over the outcome for this book.
Additionally, I thought that I would be forever changed for having seen “A Walk to Remember,” and this was an even grander roller coaster ride. I feel as a soaking wet towel, wrung vigorously and left hanging in a twist over the shower curtain. I am not even sure how to put this into words properly.
John Green has taken my shriveled cynical heart and left it bleeding on the floor, utterly without a sense of why it is no longer within the confines of my ribcage. I was so invested in the characters of Gus and Hazel, and I now wonder what I will do without their story to fill my heart. Damn you, John Green! Why must you toy with my emotions so. Now I have to go read more of your books so that I can be ripped apart even more.
**DISCLAIMER** In full compliance with FTC Guidelines, I received a copy of this book as a gift from a friend, independent of the author or publisher. 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.
Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader
December 30, 2014
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Goals/Resolutions for 2015
So, you may have noticed, I have been in a bit of a blogging slump. That is partly because I have been in a bit of a reading slump. But here I am, grabbing back the reigns, and I thought to myself, “Self, what’s a good way to keep making sure I have fresh content going up. I know!! A Meme or two!” So here I am!
I thought, Top Ten Tuesday is a good one for getting my feet wet and trying out a meme to see how it goes on here. I don’t do things like this often, so bear with me while I work out the kinks and such!
So this week’s topic is Top Ten Goals/Resolutions for 2015…. Oh boy, do I have ideas for this one.
Post more frequently/often/consistently! This is going to be a big one for me. I go in great spurts, and then all of a sudden, I just disappear for a while. I have a lot of life happening, but I need to remember that I blog as part of my way of dealing with all of that, in a sense, and I need to remember how much fun blogging is and get back to it!
Diversify my content. I need to start broadening my horizons. I may throw out the occasional product review if it is somehow related to reading, writing, or books and the many devices that help with those things. I need to be more involved in the blogging community and the fun memes I always love reading. I have a few features in the works that I hope you guys will like coming up.
Participate in the book blogger community. And I don’t mean just during events like Bout of Books and Armchair BEA. I am great at remembering to comment on other blogs and put myself out there during those things. But I need to do this all year.
Don’t be afraid to DNF. I think if I was more willing to DNF a book, instead of making myself slog through it, I might not have hit as many reading slumps this year. Life is too short to read crappy books.
Work on my writing, and actually FINISH something this year. I am a writer. I published a short story last year, and then, nothing. Crickets. I have a short novel in the works, a short story for another anthology, and two nonfiction pieces in the works. The short novel even has cover art already. I am one of those old-fashioned writers, too. I prefer pen and paper over typing up my first draft. So, I got some Moleskine notebooks. I bought myself a fountain pen for Christmas. I have more ink for the fountain pen coming in Friday (and the pen thing may become an addictive hobby and I may review pens and inks from time to time. See number 2 above!) and I need to make myself write. I want to finish all of the above-mentioned pieces and have them available for purchase before 2015 comes to a close.
Schedule, Schedule, Schedule! WordPress has this awesome feature that lets you schedule blog posts. And I have more than 20 drafted that I just need to plug my template, FTC stuff into. I need to take advantage of this feature so the blog does not go off the grid for 3 months. Ever. Again.
Stop requesting books on Netgalley/Edelweiss until I review the ones I already have!!! This is going to be a big one for me. By the time the Netgalley Wellness Challenge rolls around this year, I want to already have my percentage really close to that elusive 80% mark. But it is hard. So many books, so little time!
That Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge I tried to start? Yeah, I want to make that happen this year. And I need to pimp it out. And recruit some other bloggers to help me pimp it out. Now that Gilmore Girls is on Netflix, I really want to make this happen.
Actually finish my Goodreads Challenge this year. Every year I get really, really close, and then lose steam at the end. I can do better.
Diversify my reading. I want to get into more short stories and graphic novels this year. I think I would enjoy them and I need to just dive in.
What’s on your resolution list this year? Drop me a comment, and give me a link if you participated so I can check out your Top Ten!
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Goals/Resolutions for 2015 is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader
December 26, 2014
Bout of Books 12!!!!! It’s Almost Time!! #boutofbooks
I know, I know, there has been a major blogging slump happening here. I have a ton of reviews mostly drafted, and I just need to finish formatting them and get them scheduled up. I also hit a reading slump and from mid November to Present day, I finished exactly 1 book. This is a fact that brings me much sadness. So I thought to myself, “Self, what better way to solve these slumps than to participate in Bout of Books yet again? ” and so… Here I am!!
For those who do not know what Bout of Books is:
The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 5th and runs through Sunday, January 11th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 12 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team
I have not decided on my goals and such yet, so I will get back to you on that, but let this serve as my “I’m in” post!
Bout of Books 12!!!!! It’s Almost Time!! #boutofbooks is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader
