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R8: SSS Team Order of the Phoenix (5)
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Maya
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Aug 27, 2016 04:23PM
Okay, good. I've got mine read but I'll post it tomorrow
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Sounds good, I'll probably have mine up tomorrow as well.
Week 7 - Thursday Roll
Spot 53
Book: Duchess By Night
Pages: 366
Read: 08/27
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. The first was an introduction and the second, Gemma's book had an interesting character in Gemma and her many scandals. Harriet wasn't exactly the most interesting person in those two books.
I thought the story was interesting, but I didn't really feel the chemistry between Harriet and Jem. I'm sure Isadore's story is coming up soon, but wasn't a big fan of hers. Villiers, however... I can't wait to read his story, assuming he gets a book.
The basic premise here has Harriet dressing as a man to attend a party at Lord Strange's (Jem) home. I loved the horseback riding and fencing lessons and Eugenia, of course. Good read.
warning : curse words aheadZack by Sawyer Bennett
finished 8/21/2016
Rating : 2 stars
How it fits : #3 in series
Usually, I have no problems with books that have asshole main characters - it happens. There's usually something redeeming about them, though. SOMETHING. ANYTHING.
"Christ, she's such a nerd, and I hope that shit doesn't rub off on Ben. I want my kid to hang with the cool kids when he gets older."
ZACK is about a hockey player, Zack, who lost his girlfriend in a car accident four months ago and needs to find a nanny to take care of his son. He hires Kate, who's a little (lot) spunky and fun. And apparently nerdy (note: SHE'S ONLY NERDY BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T WEAR FORM FITTING CLOTHING AND GLASSES?!?!?!). I liked Kate, a lot, except for the fact that she's attracted to this asshole who can't treat her like a human being much less a romantic interest, and won't give up on him. Because he's hot. And plays hockey.
Let me just say this as well : Zack doesn't think Kate is even SLIGHTLY attractive until she comes to the kitchen wearing pajamas, which are more form-fitting than the clothing that she wears most of the time. And because he can actually see her skin, he gets a hard-on - HIS FIRST HARD-ON IN FOUR MONTHS.
Now, I'm not a guy, so I'm not sure how guys work, but I'm about 90% sure that guys get hard-ons for EVERYTHING. Seriously.
"Yeah, I'm well aware of the mixed signals I'm sending her. First I kiss her, then I ignore her."
The fact is, the entire novel, Zack is more than aware of how he's treating Kate - and yet he doesn't stop. He doesn't try to be sorry about it - except for a halfhearted "oh, I'm gonna hurt you eventually so let me get that apology out of the way now" are you SERIOUS? That's not how apologies work. SEND THIS GUY BACK TO KINDERGARTEN, PLEASE. Maybe he'll learn MANNERS as well.
"For a split second, I think about just backing out of her room. Leaving her alone. Leaving behind the opportunity to feel again. But I'm going to be a selfish fuck instead."
This entire sentence is like the motto for the entire novel. ZACK IS A SELFISH FUCK.
""You're entitled to be an ass every once in a while""
Oh, Kate. There's a difference between once in a while... and the entire fucking novel.
Gah! Sorry guys forgot to post this when I finished last night.Week 7: (53 - Title: R) - Rag and Bone - 146pgs/GR
Week 7Rag and Bone by K.J. Charles
How Fits: Title: R
Read: (8/27)
Rating: ★★★★
I am a fan of the world K.J. Charles has created here. This was a fun read to figure out where in time line of the other happening around London this story fits. There's such a wonderful blend of historical and magical in these books. I love the way all the elements play into making these stories unique and different.
Crispin and Ned are great characters. Maybe not my favorite couple in the series, but then again no one really is going to replace Stephen and Lucien for me. Still these guys were entertaining and very sweet as they figured out how to be together around all their obstacles. I felt for Crispin as he struggled to figure out a way to utilize his magic without sliding into territories that the powers that be would deem as warlock.
I'm curious to see where things develop for these guys now that they've been pulled into the greater world of this series. The justiciaries are an interesting case and they just might shake things up in the future. :)
Maya wrote: "warning : curse words aheadZack by Sawyer Bennett
finished 8/21/2016
Rating : 2 stars
How it fits : #3 in series
Usually, I have no problems with books ..."
I just have to say! I love your review! I have never read this series, and I probably won't, but great review!
Haha, thanks! I don't get ragey about a lot. I was at my mom's reading this and she goes "So, how's the book?" I just looked at her and was like "This is garbage." and so I made that my review. :D
Roll: #13 (Thursday) 53, 3rd in a series
Book: Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Pages: 382
Read: 8.28.16
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
I'm making this short and sweet, because it's my birthday today! So far I have loved everything JLA has written that I've read! The Covenant series was awesome, and I love her NA romances. The Lux series is no exception. I highly recommend all of these series. I don't usually enjoy Sci-Fi, but this I really love! I never thought aliens could be hot, and have such depth.
Daemon is just enough frustrating, broody, and hot for my tastes. Plus it doesn't hurt that I actually like the main female lead, Kat. JLA writes great heroines! Really loved this book and I can't wait to see where this all leads!
Sunday RollI rolled a 6, we are on space 59
-59th in a series
-5th in a series
-9th in a series
-Alternative: Goodreads Choice Awards 2012
Week 7 - Sunday RollSpot: 59
Alternative: Goodreads Choice Awards 2012
Erin: The Thrill of the Haunt (A Haunted Guesthouse Mystery #5) Review
Maya: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail (Goodreads Choice Awards 2012) Review
Sarah: Legend (Goodreads Choice Awards 2012) Review
Shelby: Phase Shift (Chaos Station #5) Review
Well, isn't that convenient. I'm on the same spot for my SS team. I'm going to -try- to read Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Maya wrote: "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!"Thank you!
Maya wrote: "Well, isn't that convenient. I'm on the same spot for my SS team. I'm going to -try- to read Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail."
I'm trying to find something that will work for my SS team too!
I'm going with Legend by Marie Lu, it is for the Alternative: Goodreads Choice Awards 2012 - nominated as Best Goodreads Author, 305 pages.
Happy Birthday, Sarah :)
is on my list, I can't wait to hear what you think!
Erin wrote: "Happy Birthday, Sarah :) is on my list, I can't wait to hear what you think!"I've had this one on my TBR for awhile so I'm excited to knock it off. I've read the first book in the Young Elites series by the same author and really really liked it, I'm hoping this series is just as good.
I loved Young Elites but hated the Legacy series. I hope you like it better than I did.
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
finished 8/29/2016
Rating : 4.5 stars
How it fits : 2012 Goodreads Choice Award Winner
4.5 stars.
WILD is a memoir written by Cheryl Strayed, focused around her decision to hike the Pacific Crest Trail from the beginning to Oregon after having her life ripped apart.
This book was a LOT better than I was expecting it would be.
I got a copy of this free from World Book Day back in 2014, and I've tried to pick it up at least three times since then. I think what threw me originally was the fact that she splits her time between current day (or rather, the hike) and her past involving the death of her mother and her divorce. When I actually got into it a bit, the splits made more sense.
I loved the whole idea of the book, with Cheryl going off to hike the PCT on her own. I knew she would get through to the other end - because it's non fiction, and she's still alive - but it was still interesting to see what happened and how it happened. That's really rare for a memoir!
I've added another book of Strayed's to my to be read stack, but I'm not sure I ever plan on reading WILD again. It was good, but not something that I feel like I have to devour over and over again.
I still have a bit of reading to do on mine, but I should finish it up tonight.
Roll: #14 (Sunday) 59, Alternative: Goodreads Choice Awards 2012
Book: Legend by Marie Lu
Pages: 305
Read: 8.31.16
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Personally, I think the Young Elites series started off a little more exciting. There's more appeal for me in the Young Elites series than in this one. While this does feel like it's been done before (lots of Dystopian out there right now), it still felt fresh and different. June and Day were different than I expected. It's unusual for the military genius to be the girl.
June is on the hunt for Day after she finds out that he is responsible for the death of her brother Metias. Nothing will stop her from imprisoning Day. But what if when she meets him, he's nothing like what he's supposed to be? What if her world isn't what it's supposed to be?
Day just wants to protect his family, and create a little trouble for the Republic. His one rule is to kill no one. He may create chaos but he isn't a monster. But things take a turn for the worse when it is discovered that the Plague has infected his little brother Eden. What lengths do you go to save the ones you love? What would you sacrifice?
Overall, I think it was a great introduction into this world. I won't knock it for plot, because I know this is Lu's first novel and she grows from here. I am interested to see how the series develops, but it's not on the top of my list.
Roll #14 Sunday.
Spot: 59
Book: The Thrill of the Haunt(Haunted Guesthouse #5)
Read: Aug 31
Rating: ★★★
Review: This book was an interesting entry in the series as Allison struggled with keeping her ghosts a secret while using them to attract guests to the guesthouse. Kind of a wink, wink, nudge, nudge, ghosts aren't real! This frustrates Paul and Maxie - the actual ghosts as well as Josh, Allison's boyfriend as he knows she has a secret that she won't trust him with.
Fun read as always.
Had to wait till the clock had kicked over onto the 1st before I could start this book. Needed it for challenges this month. :)Week 7.5: (59 - Series: #5) - Phase Shift - 207pgs/GR
Week 7.5Phase Shift by Jenn Burke
How Fits: Series: #5
Read: (9/1)
Rating: ★★★★½
I've loved this series and I'm really sad to see it ending. Felix and Zander are a fantastic couple and a even better characters. I loved seeing this story where these guys were finally in sync personally, even if they're running into more than a little trouble out in the world again.
The past is finally coming round full scale and slapping Zander in the face, literally. Finding someone else out there who can phase is a shock to the system. But old enemies are still out there and they're making life difficult. I enjoyed watching the team take on one more battle to make the universe safe for all species in it.
So I'd probably only give this book 4.5 stars overall, but I'm rounding this up for the series as a whole. It's a well done sci-fi world with fascinating characters. I know that it's stated that this book is the last in the series, but it still felt open for more really. Not the same path per se but I would have loved to know more about the path our intrepid heroes are on now.
Thursday RollI rolled a 6, we are on space 65
-65th in a series
- 6th in a series
- 5th in a series
- Alternative: College
Week 8, Thursday RollSpace: 65
Alternative: College
Erin: Spells and Scones (A Magical Bakery Mystery #6) Review
Maya: The Last Lecture (College) Review
Sarah: Carpe Corpus (Morganville Vampires #6) Review
Shelby: The White Road (Nightrunner #5) Review
Do you think that The Last Lecture would be accepted for college? The author is very famous for his commencement speech for Carnegie Mellon.
Maya wrote: "Do you think that The Last Lecture would be accepted for college? The author is very famous for his commencement speech for Carnegie Mellon."It would be best to ask Ezi.
I'll do it tomorrow as soon as I'm on the computer
Week 8, Thursday RollSpot: 65
(Magical Bakery #6)Pages: 320
I will probably end up reading Carpe Corpus by Rachel Caine, Morganville Vampires #6, 241 pages. I'm just waiting to see what the roll is for my SS team.
Still waiting on a reply from Ezi. Hopefully I'll hear back today, I finished it last night.
Week 8, Thursday Roll
Spot: 65
Book: Spells and Scones(Magical Bakery #6)
Rating: ❤❤❤❤
I thought this was another nice entry in the series. I hope Angie sticks around, it seems like she'd be a good addtion to the group. I thought Katie's jealousy about her familiar and Angie was a little odd, though.
Steve seems to be a complete dick in this one and it seems like Katie really has chosen Declan (thank god and I hope that's over). Another mystery that was easily solved though which is disappointing.
PM sent. I hope I don't have to change it, but I have a backup if I do.
Week 8The White Road by Lynn Flewelling
How Fits: Series: #5
Read: (9/2)
Rating: ★★★★★
This book was refreshing after the last book in this series. So much dark leading into this book, but while we still had our adventure to go on of course, there was a lot more light in this book. I enjoyed watching Seregil and Alec back with Micum harrying off to save the world again, or at least their own little part of it. Luck in the shadows!
Seregil and Alec may have escaped slavery and the tortures that they suffered in Plenimar intact, but they've still got potential problems with who and what Sebrahn is. They're faced with some difficult decisions, yet being back among his own family and people is restoring for Seregil. Alec's finding the reception with family that he's never really known after the death of his own father. Getting more knowledge about Sebrahn though is a priority, it's the only way to make sure he and those around him are safe.
I liked seeing a little bit of a return to our heroes sneaky ways. Some thievery and a few hijinks kept me entertained in this book. I enjoyed seeing the return of a lot of old friends in and around this story. Seregil and Alec touched base and called in favors which allowed for a lot of smiles with a lot of recognizable faces. We got to meet some new faces too, ones we'd been anxiously anticipating meeting for quite some time. This book tied up some old threads while still leaving enough dangling to keep things interesting.
All in all another great story in this series. I always enjoy the reading of the books in this series. They never fail to live up to my expectations.
My book is good, I'll post the review later tonight.
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
finished 9/1/2016
Rating : 5 stars
How it fits : College alternate : approved by Ezi
REVIEW OF A RE-READ
THE LAST LECTURE isn't for everyone, I won't lie. I've had this book on my shelf pretty much since it first came out. I watched his lecture on YouTube first. The lecture itself made me cry a little bit, and so I purchased his book.
I've read this about six or seven times now, and it never fails to get a reaction out of me. The whole idea of a "last lecture" series is a fantastic concept - what would your last lecture be, if you knew you only had one more to give?
Watching Randy Pausch's speech on YouTube made me convinced that I was incredibly sad that I never got to have him as a teacher and put Carnegie Mellon on my radar for schools - not a school I'll ever go to, of course, but definitely something that makes my ears perk up now.
The focus of Pausch's last lecture is childhood dreams - what you can get from chasing them, achieving them, and going after the new ones. It's about what life lessons you take away from the pursuit, not necessarily the dreams themselves. And they're solid lessons - from leadership to determination, Pausch doesn't hesitate to find the best in every portion of his life.
I really think that everyone should watch the lecture online. It's free. It's an hour long lecture and I haven't ever regretted watching it, even though I've seen it probably about 10 times now. I've gotten to the point where I'll listen to the lecture and I'll be reading the book at the same time - it's THAT good.
Roll 15: 65 - 6th in a series
Book: Carpe Corpus by Rachel Caine
Pages: 241
Read: 9.3.16
Rating: ★★★
Review:
Ok. This series has moved in a direction that is completely different from anything I could have guessed. I am really just pushing through these to get them done and gone. I'm disappointed.
While there is action, it seems disjointed and confusing. I never know who the bad guy is or the who the good guy is. Which I usually find interesting, but here just feels difficult. A lot of things are done for shock value, and IMO not for the movement of the plot or the development of a character.
Mr. Bishop was ruling over Morganville, but Amelie and Co. are prepared to try to take it back and end Mr. Bishop once and for all. What what happens to the people caught in the crossfire?
Overall, I guess it was decent. I really hope the next ones are better, I still have I believe 9 more books in this series to get through.
It's always the worst when a series goes bad like that. I'm sorry :(
Sunday RollI rolled a 6, puts us on 71
-71st in a series
- 1st in a series
- Alternative: Historical
Week 8, Sunday RollSpot: 71
Alternative: Historical
Erin: The Diva Frosts a Cupcake (A Domestic Diva Mystery #7) Review
Maya: Never Never (Never Never #1) Review
Sarah: Fade Out (Morganville Vampires #7) Review
Shelby: Axel's Pup (Werewolves & Dragons #1) Review
Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher
finished 9/4/2016
Rating : 5 stars
How it fits : #1 in series
NEVER NEVER is about Charlie and Silas, who 'come to' one day during school and can't remember a thing about themselves.
I was really surprised by this one. A bunch of my Goodreads friends have this one marked 5 stars and have given it glowing reviews. A couple have recommended it to me. This usually makes my expectations really high and means it takes more for me to get excited about it.
HOWEVER. This was really, really good. The ending was perfect and just cliffhangery enough that I knew that I would love to read the next two (regardless of the bad ratings) but that I didn't need to read them right away. I like knowing that the next two are on my Kindle, just waiting for me.
Oh, and this book turned me onto Colleen Hoover's reviews. Because I'm pretty sure she's the funniest person on the internet.
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