Review: The Time Traveler's Wife

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Audrey Niffenegger
Format: Paperback 
Pages: 528
Rating: 8.5 out of 10 (I know we aren't supposed to do this half nonsense, sorry)

Summary (I use Goodreads all the time): Clare, a beautiful art student, and Henry, an adventuresome librarian, have known each other since Clare was 6 and Henry was 36, married when Clare 23 and Henry 31. Impossible but true. Because Henry unintentionally jumps in time, pulled to moments of emotional gravity, past and future. His experiences can be harrowing or amusing.

What I Think: This story was as unique as it seems. Now, I watch Doctor Who, so I understood some of the issues with time travelling but this book still hurt my head at times. It made me think way too much about the concerns one would have if they were to time travel. Can the future be changed when you are in the past or has it already happened? Try not to think too hard about it or you will be mad at me. I spent the whole novel thinking about it and it was killing me.

I knew something big had to happen near the end to the story and, because the whole story was about time travel, if you pay attention, you are able to find little bits of foreshadowing throughout the whole book and sort of put it together. Of course, I wasn't able to figure out how sad it would make me. It hurt. It hurt a lot. I might have teared up a little bit...or a lot...I'll never admit it. Since we are on the subject, I have to admit to you that I was exceedingly surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel. That sounds rude but I read it, almost, because it seemed like some cultural thing I had to take part in or something. I don't know but I didn't want to read it. I'm so glad I did. What an emotional rollercoaster.

Honestly, the only problem that I had with this novel, which is not the novel's fault at all, is that I'm too young to get all the cultural references. During the majority of when this novel takes place, I wasn't alive. Yet, since the novel is modern still, the author didn't feel the need to really explain most references (they would have been out of place anyway). I understand that it was a lose-lose but I still didn't understand some of the jokes (I assume that some of the references were meant to be funny). If I was like fifteen years older this might not have been an issue for me. It wasn't enough to make the novel suck, as seen by my high rating, but it still made me a little bit sad to be missing out on something. 

Anyway, here is another movie that I have to see and another book that I will probably reread in the future. This novel made me laugh and almost made me cry and it was just great. I think that maybe 35+ readers will get more out of it but I quite enjoyed it nonetheless. It's a great romance story and the time travel thing is pretty cool. Just make sure you pay attention to when the time is changing. I caught myself flipping back in order to figure out where in the time line I was reading. It was work but worth it. It's a great love story (just ignore that he knew her as a child because it gets really weird if you consider that too long...).

Review: Room

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Emma Donoghue
Format: Paperback
Pages: 321
Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary (Couldn't live without Goodreads: To five-year-old Jack, Room is the entire world. It is where he was born and grew up; it's where he lives with his Ma as they learn and read and eat and sleep and play. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits.

Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it is the prison where Old Nick has held her captive for seven years. Through determination, ingenuity, and fierce motherly love, Ma has created a life for Jack. But she knows it's not enough...not for her or for him. She devises a bold escape plan, one that relies on her young son's bravery and a lot of luck. What she does not realize is just how unprepared she is for the plan to actually work.

Told entirely in the language of the energetic, pragmatic five-year-old Jack, Room is a celebration of resilience and the limitless bond between parent and child, a brilliantly executed novel about what it means to journey from one world to another.

What I Think: I past this book on the shelves many times before I actually got around to buying it but I'm glad I did. It was not exactly how I imagined. There is a lot of focus on what happens after. I wasn't expecting that but, once I read it, it made sense. Of course the transition wouldn't be easy. I just didn't know how upsetting it would be.

It was interesting to get the story from Jack's perspective. Of course, this means that some of the language is a little off (he's a kid, give him a break). Sometimes he would say things that a young child wouldn't know to use and others it would be very childish. However, this can be overlooked due to content. If this had been written from his mother's perspective it would have been a very different book. It might have become almost unreadable for the pain she must have gone through. I'm glad that it was Jack telling the reader what happened, even if I had to work a little harder to understand what he was trying to tell me at some points. Then again, maybe I'm just slow and my reading comprehension was lacking. Either way, I managed to figure everything out.

It is a very sad story and not to be read by the faint of heart. I didn't cry exactly but I was very upset and felt strongly for the characters. This story is, thankfully, just something so outside of my realm of experience that, for a lot of the story, I wasn't sure how to respond. That said, I came to care about the characters and wanted them to end up alright. I equally had to remind myself that it was a made up story while, also, reminding myself that this happens to people more than we like to believe.

I haven't seen the movie but the awards speak for itself. I think that it reflects how good the book really is. I thought that it was outstanding and well written. It doesn't seem like a book that one might reread over and over again, and it wouldn't be because of the depressing content, but it was so good that I just might reread it anyway.

Basically, I've wanted to read this book for a while and I'm glad I did. It's definitely and adult book and be warned that the content can get pretty upsetting at times. It was worth the read though and I'm looking forward to seeing the movie now.

Review: Me Before You

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Jojo Moyes
Format: Paperback
Pages: 369
Rating: 9 out of 10

Summary (Goodreads before me): Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.

My Thoughts: THIS BOOK IS THE WORST! IT'S SO MEAN! IT MADE ME CRY SO MUCH! I ugly cried people. Wept. Tears streaming down my face! It's so mean to its readers. 

I loved Lou and that she fought and that she fought for Will. I love how wonderful of a person she is. 

I hate that Will is so sad and that he gives up and that he needs Lou as much as he does.

Kristen says that I should tell you this book is fantastic and that you should read it and that you will never be the same for reading it. All that is true. So you should buy it, and a kleenex box and maybe some chocolate just to be safe.

The writing is great. The language is great. The idea (though heartbreaking) is wonderful. The whole thing is great and I wish I had more to say but I write long posts when I hate books and I loved this one even though it made me cry. I think that if you are ready for a cry than you should check this one out but don't say I didn't warn you.

IT'S JUST SO GREAT (and horrible. I hate crying. I'm so disgusting. Snot everywhere. It's awful.)

Review: The Descent (The Taker #3)

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Alma Katsu
Format: Paperback
Pages: 352
Rating: 5 out of 10

**Spoiler Alert: This is the third in a series. Check out The Taker or The Reckoning (The Taker #2) before reading this or its review**

Summary (From Goodreads): Lanore McIlvrae has been on the run from Adair for hundreds of years, dismayed by his mysterious powers and afraid of his temper. She betrayed Adair’s trust and imprisoned him behind a stone wall to save Jonathan, the love of her life. When Adair was freed 200 years later, she was sure that he would find her and make her existence a living hell. But things turned out far different than she’d imagined.

Four years later, Lanore has tracked Adair to his mystical island home, where he has been living in self-imposed exile, to ask for a favor. She wants Adair to send her to the hereafter so she may beg the Queen of the Underworld to release Jonathan, whom she has been keeping as her consort. Will Lanore honor her promise to Adair to return? Or is her intention to reunite with Jonathan at any cost?

Of all the forces of the universe, the most mysterious, confounding, and humbling is the power of love. The epic story of love and loss, magic and destiny that began with The Taker and sparked a chase around the world in The Reckoning comes to a surprising conclusion with The Descent.

My thoughts on this book: First off, I'm mad that this book started where it did because I felt like I was just thrown into this book. Sure, I got it right when it came out but I didn't read it for a long time and I felt terribly disconnected from what I remembered happening at the end of the last novel. There was a huge time jump but, even now, I'm not a 100% certain how long it was or why it happened. It just felt kind of off.

I understand the character development that led her to return to Adair but that doesn't mean it isn't creepy and it sure doesn't make me think this was healthy. Actually, I'm very certain that this whole relationship is the least healthy thing in the world. (I still ship it, sadly.)

But this novel was too short. Everything happened all at once and then there was nothing and then suddenly something was happening and it was over. It wasn't balanced at all. It really bothered me because it made some parts of it drag. On top of that, there were plot pieces that didn't seem to fit and the ending was rushed. I think there could have been another hundred or so pages to better tie up parts of the plot and finish developing the characters. The ending needed more for it to get a better rating. There could have been SO MUCH MORE but the audience was left with only small bits of it. Then the book was over. After all the build up in the last novels (which I loved, especially the first) it was a really big disappointment. 

Don't let this review stop you from reading the series. I thought that The Taker was a great novel (horrible inappropriate for a younger audience, full of triggers, and with unhealthy relationships galore but that might just be the Tumblr side of me talking, if you know what I mean). I even recall enjoying The Reckoning, not that I didn't enjoy this one at all. I wish this novel had been more like the rest of the series. I wish that it had been more. I wish that it ended better. 

HOWEVER, the plot twist was a surprise. I mean, I knew something was going on with Adair but I didn't really see what was happening. 

I would read more from this author in a heartbeat. Check out The Taker, if you are reading this and still haven't read the book.

Review: The Unidentified Redhead (Readhead #1)

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Alice Clayton
Format: eBook
Pages: 276
Rating: 7 out of 10

Summary (from the identified Goodreads): When Grace Sheridan returns to Los Angeles to become a working actress, it’s a second shot at a life-long dream. With some help from her best-friend agent, will that dream become a reality—or at thirty-three, has Grace missed her chance at the big time? And when an unexpected sizzling romance with Jack Hamilton, the entertainment industry's newest “it” boy, threatens to shine an uncomfortable spotlight on her life, how will that affect her career…and his?

Funny, borderline neurotic Grace is perfect in her imperfections, and the sexual chemistry between her and charming yet blissfully unaware Jack is off the charts. With laugh-out-loud dialogue and a super-steamy romance that will get your heart racing, sneaking around in L.A. and dodging the paparazzi has never been so fun.

Unidentified Thoughts: My first thought that I need to share: I want a Jack.

This novel really gets right to the point. Right away we are thrown into Grace's life and the moments just before she meets Jack. Does this mean that she really didn't have a life before him? Not at all, we just skip the back story for the time being. It really shows up as important later but I'm glad the author worked it that way. Most of the time, I forget whatever back story we were given before it becomes important. That didn't happen in this novel. On the other hand, when the back story becomes important, it's a very big surprise. Suddenly, Grace is upset or angry and the reader needs to play a little bit of catch up. It wasn't annoying. This is just an observation after the fact.

I am in love with the sassy characters. Let's just ignore the fact that when Grace gets drunk (lightweight), she kind of turns into a hoe. We can also ignore the fact that Jack encourages said behavior during the course of the series. They are just the right amount of crazy for most of the novel. They even talk about how crazy they are but I don't think that Grace is actually as crazy as they talk about. What makes her crazy? Is it just that shes unique? I didn't really understand that. I thought for a while that it was just a joke pet name but I'm not sure that's what was meant [Please discuss]. They are the perfect balance of sarcastic and sassy. They even balance each other out maturity wise. 

And, yes, the romance parts were very...steamy. I really do not enjoy discussing this so we will just leave it at: there is a lot of sex. Yes, romance novel, sure but there is almost no plot. Can't we have our cake and eat it too? 

The writing is pretty good but the dialogue is better. The dialogue makes it worth the read. The author had this habit of repeating herself. The main character would internally ask something or say something then a character would say it out loud. This was annoying. I don't need to read the same line twice, once is sufficient. I got the point the first time. 

They really had a lot of names for each other. You need to pay a little bit of attention to be able to understand why they call each other so many things. It wasn't overly hard to follow and I thought that it was kind of cute. I was waiting for her to call him George during sex or something stupid like that. What's the point of giving him an easy to remember name (Jack) if you are going to give him another five nicknames?

Identified Thoughts: After reading the entire series, my only real issue with the series is that if some of the sex had been cut, the three books could have been shoved into one slightly longer novel. This knowledge sucks. They were fast reads though and it's just sassy and sarcastic enough to hold your interest. I would consider a reread. If you like romance novels than this is a good series for you, for sure.

Review: The Wedding

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Format: eBook
Pages: 276
Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary (I'd marry Goodreads): After thirty years of marriage, Wilson Lewis, son-in-law of Allie and Noah Calhoun (of The Notebook), is forced to admit that the romance has gone out of his marriage. Desperate to win back his wife, Jane's, heart, he must figure out how to make her fall in love with him... again. Despite the shining example of Allie and Noah's marriage, Wilson is himself a man unable to easily express his emotions. A successful estate attorney, he has provided well for his family, but now, with his daughter's upcoming wedding, he is forced to face the fact that he and Jane have grown apart and he wonders if she even loves him anymore. Wilson is sure of one thing--his love for his wife has only deepened and intensified over the years. Now, with the memories of his in-laws' magnificent fifty-year love affair as his guide, Wilson struggles to find his way back into the heart of the woman he adores.

My Thoughts: This book gave me all kinds of happy feels. Well, the happy feels came after the angry "What are you doing, stupid?" feels. I really felt bad for the relationship that Wilson and Jane had. It definitely made me think. Mostly, it made me certain that I never want to have this problem with any future significant others. I don't want this struggle in my life ever.

When the book began I really had no idea where this book would be going. To be honest, I didn't read the blurb. I knew it was Nicholas Sparks and that was enough for me but that also meant that I didn't have the slightest clue what this novel was about. I was really starting blind. In this case, it wasn't a good thing to avoid the blurb. The beginning was rather slow. I stuck with it hoping it would get better. It really did once I figured out what was happening. I had to wade through a lot of back story first. It didn't help that not only did I not see the entire Notebook movie, I also had never read it. 

Once Wilson got into planning, I was right there with him. I started coming up with ideas. I really was frustrated that he was having such as hard time. I was impressed by the changed he did make in his life though. He made a lot of them. He really put everything he had into this. Many of the ideas I came up with to try and help him (yes, I know he's a fictional character) weren't used but I was super excited to see that some were. It's good to know that I can get into the head of an amazing writer. What was a surprise though is how everything fell together. The big surprises, for me at least, remained big surprises until revealed even if I did consider them as possibilities.

I loved the relationship that Noah and Wilson shared. They were so cute. Actually, all the characters and their relationships to one another were unique and interesting and entertaining. 

This book...I just really liked it alright? It was true to solid Nicholas Sparks form. I'm glad I took the risk of just getting it without asking any questions. Like I said, stick with it through the slow beginning because it gets better.

Footnote: I bought another Nicholas Sparks novel while on vacation. I now have two waiting for me and I'm very excited to read them.

Basically: This was a quick little piece of love. Reading this book made me very happy. I love Nicholas Sparks. If you love him too and you haven't read this novel then you should. It would be nice (though not important) to know The Notebook. 

Did you know?
The Wedding is a follow-up to The Notebook?
The Wedding was inspired by a few unnamed couples that Nicholas knows well?
The novel is set in the North Carolina town in which Nicholas now lives?

Review: Tangled

 Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Emma Chase
Format: eBook
Pages: 254
Rating: 7 out of 10

Summary (Goodreads is tangled in this book too): Drew Evans is a winner. Handsome and arrogant, he makes multimillion dollar business deals and seduces New York’s most beautiful women with just a smile. He has loyal friends and an indulgent family. So why has he been shuttered in his apartment for seven days, miserable and depressed? 

He’ll tell you he has the flu.

But we all know that’s not really true.

Katherine Brooks is brilliant, beautiful and ambitious. She refuses to let anything - or anyone - derail her path to success. When Kate is hired as the new associate at Drew’s father’s investment banking firm, every aspect of the dashing playboy’s life is thrown into a tailspin. The professional competition she brings is unnerving, his attraction to her is distracting, his failure to entice her into his bed is exasperating. 

Then, just when Drew is on the cusp of having everything he wants, his overblown confidence threatens to ruin it all. Will he be able untangle his feelings of lust and tenderness, frustration and fulfillment? Will he rise to the most important challenge of his life? 

Can Drew Evans win at love? 

Tangled is not your mother’s romance novel. It is an outrageous, passionate, witty narrative about a man who knows a lot about women…just not as much as he thinks he knows. As he tells his story, Drew learns the one thing he never wanted in life, is the only thing he can’t live without

My thoughts: Sooo...it has an interesting start, that's for sure. Actually, because of the opening I wasn't sure how I would enjoy this book. I'm not six years old but I'm not used to novels that...jump right into stuff like this novel did. Also, I'm often leering of two things: 1) books written by men but told in a female point of view (how do they know what we think) and 2) Elephants wearing hats and holding balloons. No wait, that's not right. I meant to say that 2) is novels written by women but told in a man's perspective because you have to do a lot of work and research to make that authentic. I'm tired of novels where the characters are all perfect. In real life, everyone has flaws and I think that, as a society, it's time we face the music.

BUT ANYWAY, I quite enjoyed this novel. Drew was a big stupid face but at least he was true to who he was. Also, I'll allow him a few points for trying. What a jealous one he is though. 

I felt so bad for Katherine. It sucks that she not only had to put up with him and his nonsense but she also had to put up with it at work. I'm actually amazed that neither of them ended up losing their jobs giving how they were acting. 

There seemed to be multiple places that this novel could have ended. I don't like that. It starts in the present then jumps back then moves forward and it's just a tangled mess. I can deal with books that flash back but this novel is 1/2 in a single flashback and I think that it's just too much. 

This review isn't very long. What else do I need to say? Why wasn't this novel higher than a 7 for me? I did enjoy it but it seemed like something was missing. I mean, I can't quite put my finger on it. The characters had chemistry and the minor characters were entertaining. The plot was decentish. The ending was super adorable and warranted a few "aws" but I've read this before. I guess, as a love/romance novel, it's hard to be different. I expected a bit more. I would read novels by this author in the future but I'm not certain I would reread this one. 

You know what? That's harsh. How about this: you read it and let me know what you think.

So: This is a fast read but definitely for an olderish audience. It was a good read but sometimes I wanted to punch Drew in the face for being stupid...but it's worth the roughly five hours it took me to read it.

Oh: Look, it won a goodreads award. Wooooooo! Go Tangled!

Wait For You

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout (J. Lynn)
Format: eBook
Pages: 332
Rating: 9 out of 10

Summary (never tired of waiting for Goodreads): Some things are worth waiting for…

Traveling thousands of miles from home to enter college is the only way nineteen-year-old Avery Morgansten can escape what happened at the Halloween party five years ago—an event that forever changed her life. All she needs to do is make it to her classes on time, make sure the bracelet on her left wrist stays in place, not draw any attention to herself, and maybe—please God—make a few friends, because surely that would be a nice change of pace. The one thing she didn’t need and never planned on was capturing the attention of the one guy who could shatter the precarious future she’s building for herself.

Some things are worth experiencing…

Cameron Hamilton is six feet and three inches of swoon-worthy hotness, complete with a pair of striking blue eyes and a remarkable ability to make her want things she believed were irrevocably stolen from her. She knows she needs to stay away from him, but Cam is freaking everywhere, with his charm, his witty banter, and that damn dimple that’s just so… so lickable. Getting involved with him is dangerous, but when ignoring the simmering tension that sparks whenever they are around each other becomes impossible, he brings out a side of her she never knew existed.

Some things should never be kept quiet…

But when Avery starts receiving threatening emails and phone calls forcing her to face a past she wants silenced, she’s has no other choice but to acknowledge that someone is refusing to allow her to let go of that night when everything changed. When the devastating truth comes out, will she resurface this time with one less scar? And can Cam be there to help her or will he be dragged down with her?

And some things are worth fighting for…

What I think: I should warn you, there be some sex in this there book. It made me slightly uncomfortable to be reading this book while in class. I was constantly worrying about Kristen sitting next to me. She has this tendency to read from the books that I'm reading but she reads it out loud. It would have been the worst kind of embarrassing. Thanks Kristen for not doing the thing.

I felt so bad for Avery (but love the unique name). She was so brave. I also felt some really bad second hand embarrassment at times. I don't want all the bad stuff that happened to Avery but I really want one of him...like now. He was perfect. He was so caring and sassy. I loved the sarcasm and that he never gave up on her but that he was always respectful and just wanted her to be happy. Cam just wanted her to be herself and to feel loved and taken care of. I want someone to take care of me.

Did I mention that I love turtles and that turtles were involved in this novel. HOWEVER, if some guy is going to get me a turtle he better freaking be prepared to clean up after the damn thing because I babysat a turtle for a friend once and not only did it smell but it was a lot of work. This experiences means that this part of the novel loses all romantic value.

I was sad that I was a small step ahead of the novel as I went. I still loved it.

I wish that I had some things that I could talk about. I wish I could say that I hated something than rant about that for a while. I wish there was something that I could violently and mercilessly tear down but, alas, there is nothing of the sort to be found in this novel. Other than the surprise sexual content (not that I minded...shhhhh, don't tell my mother), this book was brilliantly perfect. Even the names were unique.

Oh! One last thing, there is swearing in this novel which usually bothers me because it's almost always done wrong. In this case, it was done perfectly. It was just how people speak. It didn't read as awkward or uncomfortable. It read as the speech of normal college students and I loved that. Sometimes no swearing is just as awkward as swearing but in this case it was perfect.

I think I may have found a new favourite writer (she says as she begins the search for every book ever written by this author).

To End: I loved, loved, loved this novel. I will be rereading it for sure. It was cute, quick, easy, and adorable. It is a great love story. I would recommend. Kristen...urg, I don't want to say it, has some good taste.

Bones of the Lost

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Kathy Reichs
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 336
Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary (GoodReads love): When Charlotte police discover the body of a teenage girl along a desolate stretch of two-lane highway, Temperance Brennan fears the worst. The girl’s body shows signs of foul play. Inside her purse police find the ID card of a prominent local businessman, John-Henry Story, who died in a horrific flea market fire months earlier. Was the girl an illegal immigrant turning tricks? Was she murdered?

The medical examiner has also asked Tempe to examine a bundle of Peruvian dog mummies confiscated by U.S. Customs. A Desert Storm veteran named Dominick Rockett stands accused of smuggling the objects into the country. Could there be some connection between the trafficking of antiquities and the trafficking of humans?

As the case deepens, Tempe must also grapple with personal turmoil. Her daughter Katy, grieving the death of her boyfriend in Afghanistan, impulsively enlists in the Army. Meanwhile, Katy’s father Pete is frustrated by Tempe’s reluctance to finalize their divorce. As pressure mounts from all corners, Tempe soon finds herself at the center of a conspiracy that extends all the way from South America, to Afghanistan, and right to the center of Charlotte.

Thoughts: Let me start by saying how much I love Tempe...a lot. How can you not love her? Sure, sometimes she is a little bit stupid and goes where she shouldn't but she cares so much about people. I love how hard she fought for the murder victim in this novel. I was also surprised to find how much the one cop cared in the end; it seemed like he didn't care for most of the novel.

I'm glad that the novels seemingly three story lines all ended up back together though it would never happen like this is real life. The conspiracy might exist like it did but what are the chances that she would get all the pieces and be able to put them together like she did.

One of my favourite things about Kathy Riechs novels is that the science is more realistic then it is on TV. Things don't happen fast. This novel has large time gaps in it almost as proof. 

But what's up with Pete? Also, I want more Ryan. Plus, Katy is crazy to just enlist like that but I guess that all that matters is that she is happy.

I wish that the novel would specifically say that she told the cops where she went when she runs off because she runs off all the time and it kind of makes me want to punch Tempe in the face. Like, call the police first or something if you can't get a hold of someone specific. Fine, run around risking your life if you want. I understand that the whole reason is to build suspense and to add action, and it does do that but seriously...

I like that she traveled during the novel. Kathy Reichs often travels to do her work so it stands that Tempe would to. I love that element of realism. I think it really adds some sense of movement to the novel too. She doesn't just sit in one spot. Plus, it's kind of exciting.

Final Thoughts: In all honestly, I will probably continue to buy Kathy Reichs no matter what happens. She could write another 16 novels and I would be more than happy to wait at Chapters on the release date. I'm hooked and will always be hooked. Maybe that makes my opinion on the matter a little bit bias so if you don't believe me than maybe you should go out and buy the book. If not this book than one of her many others. I have them all and they are beautiful. Tell me what you think, I could be blinded by my constant fangirling!

P.S. Sorry I've been MIA, school is sucking the life out of me this year. Hopefully, I'm back now but no promises! Love you all, lovely people.

P.P.S. If Kathy Reichs or anyone that works with her is out there, SEND ME THE NEXT BOOK!! Pleeeeeease.

The Five Love Languages

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Gary Chapman
Format: Paperback
Pages: 208
Rating: 7 out of 10

Sum it up Goodreads: Are you and your spouse speaking the same language? While love is a many splendored thing, it is sometimes a very confusing thing, too. And as people come in all varieties, shapes, and sizes, so do their choices of personal expressions of love. But more often than not, the giver and the receiver express love in two different ways. This can lead to misunderstanding, quarrels, and even divorce.

Quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch are the five basic love languages. Dr. Gary Chapman identifies these and guides couples towards a better understanding of their unique languages of love. Learn to speak and understand your mate's love language, and in no time you will be able to effectively love and truly feel loved in return. Skillful communication is within your grasp!

Thoughts: I am wholly unqualified to review this. However, my dad made me read it because he is on a self-help kick so here is just a little bit of what I think about it. It was well written, clear, easy to read, and well thought out. The stories the author uses illustrate the meaning of the book as well as the author's ideas. I believe that if one was having a hard time in their marriage, or even if they weren't, this could help to make their marriage better.  I will definitely keep this book around for a later reread. Who doesn't want to be happy in their marriage?

The Richest Man in Babylon

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: George S. Clason
Format: Paperback
Pages: 196 (My edition had 144)
Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary (te amo Goodreads): Beloved by millions, this timeless classic holds the key to all you desire and everything you wish to accomplish. This is the book that reveals the secret to personal wealth.
 
The Success Secrets of the Ancients—
An Assured Road to Happiness and Prosperity
 
Countless readers have been helped by the famous Babylonian parables,” hailed as the greatest of all inspirational works on the subject of thrift, financial planning, and personal wealth. In language as simple as that found in the Bible, these fascinating and informative stories set you on a sure path to prosperity and its accompanying joys. Acclaimed as a modern-day classic, this celebrated bestseller offers an understanding of—and a solution to—your personal financial problems that will guide you through a lifetime. This is the book that holds the secrets to keeping your money—and making more.

Hey so: This book is super small and really intelligent  It has useful tips for managing your money and getting rich but it's not boring. It's told in story format with the setting of Babylon. Don't worry, it's not stupid. I already told you it was pretty smart. If you would like to learn to grow your wealth then you should check this book out. It's easy to read and understand as well as implement. I really believe that everyone should give this book a quick once over if nothing else. What have you got to lose? Look more at what you can gain!

Frankenstein

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Mary Shelley
Format: Paperback
Pages: 215 (mine was a different edition then that of the cover shown)
Rating: 6 out of 10

Summary (Thanks Goodreads): Mary Shelley began writing Frankenstein when she was only eighteen. At once a Gothic thriller, a passionate romance, and a cautionary tale about the dangers of science, Frankenstein tells the story of committed science student Victor Frankenstein. Obsessed with discovering the cause of generation and life and bestowing animation upon lifeless matter, Frankenstein assembles a human being from stolen body parts but; upon bringing it to life, he recoils in horror at the creature's hideousness. Tormented by isolation and loneliness, the once-innocent creature turns to evil and unleashes a campaign of murderous revenge against his creator, Frankenstein.

Frankenstein, an instant bestseller and an important ancestor of both the horror and science fiction genres, not only tells a terrifying story, but also raises profound, disturbing questions about the very nature of life and the place of humankind within the cosmos: What does it mean to be human? What responsibilities do we have to each other? How far can we go in tampering with Nature? In our age, filled with news of organ donation genetic engineering, and bio-terrorism, these questions are more relevant than ever.

My Thoughts: Poor Frankenstein. I really feel bad for the guy. Talk about one mistake ruining the rest of your life. That said, maybe he should have spent a little bit more time thinking about what he was planning to do. Did it really seem like that good of an idea? I mean, if you really sat down with it, did it? Probably not. People are stupid, I guess.

I didn't really understand the connection between the letters and the story. I think that part could have been done in many different ways but the author gets final say, she must have liked it just the way it was. It seems really important, how it begins, but it's not really. I focused too much on it at the time. It's not the real meat of the story. It's more foreshadowing what happens to Frankenstein than anything else. The beginning of this novel really didn't lend itself to a good climax though. The reader already knows whats going to happen to the poor guy. I feel that this points to a different kind of reader. Mary Shelley wrote this for the people of her time and I think between the lack of really high point and vocabulary (did I mention I love classics for the vocabulary? I love learning big words) we can learn what that reader must have liked. 

Speaking of Mary Shelley, I read A Vindication for the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft which was a major bore-fest in an English class. Imagine my surprise upon finding out that these Marys were in fact the same Mary. After knowing this, I really didn't want to read Frankenstein. Thank god the two works were nothing a like.

There are many different TV versions of the same story. Of course, there is the movie and its subsequent remakes and spoofs as well as the Once Upon a Time version which is nothing like the real story. All of these confused versions made it so that I had no idea what the real story was about. I'm glad that I took the time to find out what the real story actually is. With so many versions and references about it out in the world, how could you not take a couple hours and read this novel over?

To End:  Luckily, this wasn't a very long novel. You can take your time reading it and still not take too long to get through it. Classics fans will enjoy this addition to their collection. You should really check out the real story behind all the remakes and allusions. 

Favourite Movie Version:

So it's not really right from this book but I really enjoy Young Frankenstein. It's a spoof of the novel but really entertaining. If you aren't looking for a carbon copy you should check out this movie. It's old and in black and white (it's not that old, it's just for fun) but it's worth a watch. Enjoy it. It's all for fun.

Skin Deep

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Jerome Preisler
Format: Paperback
Pages: 336
Rating: 6 out of 10

Summary (Thank goodness for Goodreads): A retired judge has been found brutally murdered on the outskirts of Las Vegas, complete with a macabre yet masterfully intricate tattoo on his face . . . the third seemingly random victim of the mysterious kidnapper dubbed by law enforcement as the "Tattoo Man." The judge wasn't the first person to have been abducted, drugged, and permanently altered with tattoos and body modification . . . but he was the first to wind up dead. At the same time, several other deceased are turning up all over Sin City with their body art mercilessly removed--and the timing would seem to suggest to those in authority that all of these crimes are somehow related. But Las Vegas's top crime scene investigators--Catherine Willows, Ray Langston, Nick Stokes, Sara Sidle, and Greg Sanders--aren't jumping to any conclusions, as they attempt to connect the dots by entering the secretive and tight-knit body art community--one that is intensely wary of outsiders. 

My Thoughts: This is, clearly, a CSI novel so if you don't enjoy that show then you may not like this novel either. This novel, not unlike the other CSI novels, involve a very interesting killer. These characters, always with depth, remind me of the serial killers from Criminal Minds. It might as well be a Criminal Minds novel, other than the characters. This novel doesn't involve a crime of passion with a quick cover up. It has a very elaborate back-story. This novel requires a great deal of thinking and keeping up. You must be able to follow the story and keep up with the csi's as they solve the crime lest you get left behind which if a very big possibility with this novel. You must keep track of the regular characters as well as the ones related only to this particular novel. It was a lot of work. It required focus and time that, in the beginning, I wasn't willing to give it. I had to restart the novel (I started reading this novel once before but gave up. Finishing it the second time was also a struggle but not because it was boring. I just don't enjoy thinking too much.). 

Obviously, this book involves science and big words which allows you to learn something while you read. I like that. I like knowing random fun facts about how things work and random big words that I can throw into my sentences to make me seem smarter than I actually am; it's a fault, I know. It also gave me a new view of tattoo artists and people with tattoos, not that I judged them before, you simply got an inside look.


One thing I must warn is that it is, though not the most graphic novel I've ever read, disturbing. The reader gets to see the world through the eyes of the criminal multiple times, as well as, through the eyes of the victim. This puts the reader in a position to understand motives and to, sometimes and not necessarily in this case, understand why the killer is doing what they are doing. It can help or hurt the book. In this case, it did neither really. It just spooked me out. It's worse seeing through the victim's eyes because I don't enjoy thinking about death never mind my own. 

In Conclusion: Having read other CSI novels in the past, I can say that this is not my favourite. I finished it and enjoyed trying to figure out who the killer was but I find I'd rather watch my CSI on TV because it's easier to figure out the "whodunnit?" I like that aspect which is lost on me in the books. I won't be reading this novel again. I would recommend the CSI: Miami novels over regular CSI novels. If you are upset by crime novels or the description of dead bodies or crimes then this isn't for you. At times I did find it gross and upsetting and I watch all the crime shows on TV and have a strong stomach. You know what you like. 

Thanks for reading!

Seriously...I'm Kidding

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Ellen Degeneres
Format: Paperback
Pages: 241
Rating: 7 out of 10

Summary (Thanks Goodreads): "Sometimes the greatest things are the most embarrassing." Ellen Degeneres' winning, upbeat candor has made her show one of the most popular, resilient and honored daytime shows on the air. (To date, it has won no fewer than 31 Emmys.) Seriously... I'm Kidding, Degeneres' first book in eight years, brings us up to date about the life of a kindhearted woman who bowed out of American Idol because she didn't want to be mean. Lively; hilarious; often sweetly poignant.

What I Think: Let's get right to it. The first few chapters were the best. They made me laugh the most and I had to keep telling my mom what I was reading. I felt that she had to laugh with me. Mostly,  she just judged me for talking to her while reading but she had read it before me so I know that she enjoyed it too. I thought that as the book went on, I lost interest in it. I wasn't really that it wasn't funny, I was sick while reading it and it lost my attention. It really wasn't my sort of book. I think that in the future I'll just stick to her television show. If you are a real fan though, I think that you would enjoy this book a lot. I have to say that it wasn't what I expected. I thought that it would be more about her life but I think I assumed it was more of an auto-biography but it wasn't. It was more of a goofing around book. It wasn't even really a story. It was definitely just meant for a few good laughs. That's what it gives you so I guess it worked out in the end.

To Wrap Up: If you enjoy watching her television show than you should look into this book for sure. I liked it but think it's a one time read for me, you may think differently! 

Extreme Vinyl Cafe

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Stuart McLean
Format: Hardcover (others available)
Pages: 265
Rating: 6 out of 10

Summary (via Goodreads): If you ask them, Dave and Morley's friends will tell you that no matter how long you've known people, they can still surprise you.

After all, no one expects to see a grown man dive into the trunk of his car to chase a rat. And despite what they may claim, few people are actually prepared to have their backyard, never mind their twelve-year-old son, shoot to stardom on YouTube's Most Watched Videos. And yes the sight of an 87-year-old bungee-jumping off a cruise ship is...unusual. But well-wishers at the Vinyl Cafe will advise you to be philosophical about such things.

No matter who sends a volley of nails through your truck window, which mannequin is disrobed or how green your skin turns when your mom leaves town, life marches on. In Extreme Vinyl Cafe bestselling author Stuart McLean regales us with the wild impulses, and extreme behaviours of Canada's favourite characters at the Vinyl Cafe. 

My Thoughts: At first, I wasn't really into this book. I had no idea where it came from or how it ended up on my shelf. I'm still not sure. I think it just materialized there one night while I was asleep but never noticed. Anyway, I thought that it was short enough that I should just suck it up and finally read it. I'm sad to say that I'm not a fan of short stories. I like to get with my characters and stick with me. I was happy to find out that this uses most of the same characters. I was sooooooo glad I didn't have to keep learning new characters; my mind can't take that. I was also excited to find out that most of the stories were pretty funny. Some of the short stories in this book had me laughing so hard and others had me face palming because, really, who gets into these kinds of messes? My favourite story might have been the one about planning funerals because something like what happened in the story would happen in my family. 

This book was easy to pick up and put down. It was okay that I had to stop reading to do my homework because they were short stories and I could easily keep up with what was happening. I found that I became quickly interested in each story once I started to read it. 

Something else that was good was that the author was answering fan mail (all of these letters were hilarious). It taking place in Canada was something nice too; it doesn't happen very often.

Final Thoughts: You will enjoy this book more if you already enjoy short stories or if you only have small blocks of time to kill. If you enjoy making fun of people that do stupid things then this book may give you a few good chuckles. I will not be buying the other books in this series but I can see myself returning to this one whenever I feel like having a laugh. I thought that it was more for a grown up audience though and it's quite different than the YA I normally read. 

P.S. What kind of music do you want at your funeral?