Belinda’s Book Nook Review: Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

July 17, 2014 by Leave a Comment

unspoken

Title: Unspoken
Author: Sarah Rees Brennan
Copyright: September 11, 2012
Genre: fiction
Format: ebook

Synopsis (from publisher):

A modern, magical twist on the Gothic Romance and Girl Detective genres, this book will appeal to fans of both Beautiful Creatures and the Mortal Instruments series. Reviewers have praised the take-charge heroine and the spellbinding romance.

Bound together. Worlds apart.

Kami Glass is in love with someone she’s never met—a boy she’s talked to in her head since she was born. This has made her an outsider in the sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale, but she has learned ways to turn that to her advantage. Her life seems to be in order, until disturbing events begin to occur. There has been screaming in the woods and the manor overlooking the town has lit up for the first time in 10 years. . . . The Lynburn family, who ruled the town a generation ago and who all left without warning, have returned. Now Kami can see that the town she has known and loved all her life is hiding a multitude of secrets—and a murderer. The key to it all just might be the boy in her head. The boy she thought was imaginary is real, and definitely and deliciously dangerous.

My Review:

I just finished this book today so I thought it would be good to write a review while it’s fresh in my mind. I first heard about this book on booktube and the girl reviewing it said it was really good and so I took a chance and found it on my Overdrive account via my library. I especially like getting books on there that I don’t feel like investing the money but curious about the content.

First, I loved the characters. There is something special to me about detective novels (remember Nancy Drew?) and I like the idea of the main character forming a team of reporters out of our friends to research the history of the town they live in to find out what hidden secrets might exist for the school newspaper.  I was never on my school’s newspaper but think it must have been fun. Kami, the main character was a strong female character so it made it more pleasurable a read.

Second, I definitely found the idea of her “imaginary” friend she talked to in her head possibly being real a fun concept. It makes for a very sweet connection for a foundation for romance.  I also found that there was good character development in this book. I found myself enjoying the unique nuances of each of the main characters.  Her friend Angela, for one, made me laugh out loud when reading her dialogue with people.

Finally, I really enjoyed this book and found it easy to get into.  I have now put my name on the wait list to read book two which is called, “Untold” and in September a third book will come out. So I am reading it at the right time.

I gave this book 4 butterflies.

4ratingA

Well I am off to go dive into another book. This summer has already proved to be a great read for me!

Have a blessed day and happy reading!

Belinda

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Belinda’s Book Nook Review: Veil of Roses by Laura Fitzgerald

July 16, 2014 by Leave a Comment

veilofroses

 

Title: Veil of Roses
Author: Laura Fitgerald
Copyright: December 26, 2006
Genre: fiction
Format: paperback

Synopsis (from publisher):

This compelling debut follows one spirited young woman from the confines of Iran to the intoxicating freedom of America—where she discovers not only an enticing new country but the roots of her own independence. . . .

Tamila Soroush wanted it all. But in the Islamic Republic of Iran, dreams are a dangerous thing for a girl. Knowing they can never come true, Tami abandons them. . . . Until her twenty-fifth birthday, when her parents give her a one-way ticket to America, hoping she will “go and wake up her luck.” If they have their way, Tami will never return to Iran . . . which means she has three months to find a husband in America. Three months before  she’s sent back for good.


From her first Victoria’s Secret bra to her first ride on a motor scooter to her first country line-dance, Tami drinks in the freedom of an American girl. Inspired to pursue her passion for photography, she even captures her adventures on film. But looming over her is the fact that she must find an Iranian-born husband before her visa expires. To complicate matters, her friendship with Ike, a young American man, has grown stronger. And it is becoming harder for Tami to ignore the forbidden feelings she has for him.

It’s in her English as a second language classes that Tami finds a support system. With the encouragement of headstrong Eva, loyal Nadia, and Agata and Josef, who are carving out a love story of their own, perhaps Tami can keep dreaming—and find a way to stay in America.

My Review:

Ok, so I am a sucker for pretty shoes and a book cover with shoes and the pretty colors caught my eye when I was at my local library with my boys.  So I picked up this book and then read the back of the book. I never read anything by this author and I also haven’t read much about Iran. So I checked it out. I didn’t look it up online on my phone to see reviews, I just took it out on impulse.

I got home and I read some pretty mean reviews. Some people were critical about the author who is non-Iranian, writing about an aspect of Iranian women’s experience.  I understand, being a minority myself, I find that I am more critical of people writing about the African American experience. But I didn’t let this detour me because I knew this is one aspect and one perspective, it is not the whole and I think that is the best way to approach such writings.

I enjoyed the book. It was about a girl who’s family was forced to stay in Iran and the oldest daughter immigrated back to the US. The family made it possible for Tami to travel to the US to stay with her sister to find a husband so she could stay in the US. Some of the cultural blunders included (like the Starbucks incident) in the  book were fun to read and it was fun to read the many characters along Tami’s journey.

I found myself routing for a certain outcome while reading the book so it kept me reading. I also tried reading the book without judgement of the Iranian ways. I knew this book was a work of fiction and received it in that way.

I gave this book 3 butterflies:

3rating

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Belinda’s Book Nook Review: Three books of a quartet: Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress by Marisa Meyer

April 29, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Cindertrilogy

Titles: Cinder, Scarlet, Cress
Author: Marissa Meyer
Genre: fiction, fantasy
Format: book

Synopsis (from publisher):

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles, Book 1)

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles, Book 2)

Cinder is back and trying to break out of prison—even though she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive if she does—in this second installment from Marissa Meyer.
Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother, or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana.

Cress (Lunar Chronicles, Book 3)

In this third book in Marissa Meyer’s bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and prevent her army from invading Earth.

My Review:

Wow… I came across Cinder while watching some book bloggers back in February. So many people were talking about it and let’s face it, the cover is really cool.  So I ordered it from BookOutlet for an amazing price.  I took it with me on my annual girl’s craft weekend in Jackson New Hampshire. I always bring a book to read before I go to bed.

I started reading Cinder (the first in the series) and found myself up hours later, totally engrossed. Now, this is a Young Adult fiction and I am past Young Adult in age but let me say that I thoroughly enjoy many books from this genre.  I don’t turn my nose up to a good story.

Ms. Meyer takes the story on a wild adventure while still keeping the basis of the story grounded in the traditional fairy tale, Cinderella.  I enjoyed the first book so much because it created the world with vivid descriptions.  I instantly liked the main character Cinder although a few times I don’t know why she didn’t make smarter choices.  I like that social issues (Like what defines being human.)  were intertwined with the story but weren’t being forced down your throat. I found myself going to my room while on my weekend away and reading a few chapters. I just wanted to know what would happen.

As in the Hunger Games, each book of this series end with a cliff hanger so you have to read the next book to find out what happens. What I also found fascinating is that Ms. Meyer took different fairy tales and found ways to link the books to each other. For example the first book is Cinderella, the second is Little Red Riding Hood and the third is Rapunzel and the next to be released is Snow White.

I really enjoyed this series and read them very fast. I think there was good character development in each book and just enough romance without ruining the story.  My favorite of the three would be Cinder because that is where Ms. Meyer created the world for us in such lovely detail.

I highly recommend this series. The only problem is that I have to wait for the final book, Winter which will be released in 2015.

I will be back with more reviews very soon.  I have been reading a lot lately and just need to sit down and write up some reviews.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My rating was 5 butterflies!

5rating

Happy Reading!

Belinda

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Belinda’s Book Nook Review: The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe

April 4, 2014 by Leave a Comment

endoflifebookclub

Title: The End of Your Life Book Club
Author: Will Schwalbe
Copyright: October 2, 2012
Genre: non-fiction
Format: audiobook

Synopsis (from publisher):

“What are you reading?”

That’s the question Will Schwalbe asks his mother, Mary Anne, as they sit in the waiting room of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In 2007, Mary Anne returned from a humanitarian trip to Pakistan and Afghanistan suffering from what her doctors believed was a rare type of hepatitis. Months later she was diagnosed with a form of advanced pancreatic cancer, which is almost always fatal, often in six months or less.

This is the inspiring true story of a son and his mother, who start a “book club” that brings them together as her life comes to a close. Over the next two years, Will and Mary Anne carry on conversations that are both wide-ranging and deeply personal, prompted by an eclectic array of books and a shared passion for reading. Their list jumps from classic to popular, from poetry to mysteries, from fantastic to spiritual. The issues they discuss include questions of faith and courage as well as everyday topics such as expressing gratitude and learning to listen. Throughout, they are constantly reminded of the power of books to comfort us, astonish us, teach us, and tell us what we need to do with our lives and in the world. Reading isn’t the opposite of doing; it’s the opposite of dying.

My Review:

First I want to say that I throughly enjoyed this book. I also believe strongly that some books are even better when you listen to the audio version. Especially with a good voice talent reading. I listened to this while making breakfast for the boys, working in my craft room, and even while sitting at pick up waiting for the boys to come out of school.

I read this book always keeping my experience of losing my mother close to my heart.  My mother had a deep love for books and always encouraged me to read. We didn’t have a book club where we always read the same books but we shared what we were reading.  So Will’s mother, Mary Ann reminded me so much of my experience with my mom. My mother could never get enough of books and read them even when she became ill and we took turns reading when she wasn’t feeling well. Books were prominent in their lives as in my own.

I enjoyed how the chapter titles were titles of books. Schwalbe really captured the essence of life and life with a loved one dying (or should I say living) through books.  They formed their book club with mother and  son using books to navigate the delicate balance of living. It was also a remarkable tribute to his mother and the relation they continued to develop right up until her death.

I laughed at some points and paused to cry in others because I can relate to many of the feelings he had while going through this experience. There was a funny part about elevator etiquette that I can’t stop laughing about. But you must read it to find out.

I  was thrilled when I heard them mention books that I read and I also found myself adding more to my TBR list after listening to their analysis of books.

I think that this a great book for everyone.  It’s about the joy of reading and reading with others. Books can bring you places your feet and heart might not often travel. This book can open you up to new adventures with books you may not have thought about before. It helps you understand the importance that books play in our lives. They aren’t just for passing time.

A  quote from the end of the book that I like illustrates this beautifully:

 “Mom taught me not to look away from the worst, but to believe that we all can do better. Books are the most powerful tool in the human arsenal. That reading all kinds of books in whatever format you choose…is the grandest entertainment and is also how you take part in the human conversation. You can make a difference in the world and that books really do matter. They’re how we know what we need to do in life and how we tell others… Books are how we get closer to each other and stay close…And even after death.”
– Will Schwalbe

If I haven’t convinced you to read this book, here is a link to the book trailer

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My rating was 5 butterflies!

5ratingHappy Reading!

Belinda

 

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