Rachel: #3 The Help

I started The Help last Sunday, it was such a great book that I finished this morning. Set in Jackson, Mississippi 1962 the story follows 3 women. At times I felt very angry and can not believe that people acted the way they did just a short time ago, segregation is such a terrible thing. I feel like this book has opened my eyes about a lot of things. You should read this book! Now I can't wait to see the movie.

Kristen: 13 of 15

Title: The Help

Author: Kathryn Stockett

Pages: 464

I'm sure you've heard about it, or seen the movie already, so I won't spend a lot of time going over it here.  The book is great!  If you've seen the movie or if you want to see the move, either way, if you enjoy reading a great story go and pick the one up.  Once you do, you won't be able to put it down.  There are many characters to keep it interesting at all times and the story line never lags.  In fact, once I reached the end I really wished it would keep going.

So if you are looking for a good read, give this one a shot!

Kristen: 10, 11 & 12 of 15

Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Pages: 384

 

I read this on another blog in reference to this series: "You are not prepared."

 

This series took me on quite a roller coaster over the weekend.  Unable to fall asleep in the wee hours of Saturday morning, I happened to see a Facebook conversation steaming from a friend who mentioned the book.  All of the responses seems favorably strong, and I couldn't sleep, so I bought it right then and there and dove in.

 

The premise of book one:

In a not-too-distant future, North America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the rich and powerful Capitol and 12 weakened districts.  As punishment for a past rebellion against the Capitol, each year, two young representatives between the ages of 12 - 17 from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games.  Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch.  When 16-year-old Katniss' young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against not only each other, but bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives.

 

At the risk of giving anything away, I won't give any of my personal commentary or say anything about the next two books other than this:

 

From the moment I started book one, I had a hard time stepping away from these characters.  Even though at times I wanted it to all be over, or moments when I hated the author, as I set it down at the end of book three I felt my self wanting to go back and do it all over again.

 

Title: Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games)

Author: Suzanne Collins

Pages: 391



Title: Mockingjay (The Final Book of The Hunger Games)

Author: Suzanne Collins

Pages: 400

 

 

Rachel: #2 Water for Elephants

I know, I know...finally.
I'm not sure what to write first other than this book is outstanding. If you have not read it, please do so. I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book reason 1: I think the circus is wrong because of the cruelty to animals 2: Clowns freak me out, big time.

The author did such a great job of making you love the characters it was hard to put this book down. The first four or five pages have you hooked, it jumps back and fourth between Jacobs life from when he was young to present time when he is about 90 something. I haven't seen the movie but I am very excited for it to come out on dvd.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Really?

REALLY 8&9 of 15!!! You're kicking my ASS. I'm half way done with no. 2, yay for me.

Kristen: 8 & 9 of 15

Title: Torn

Author: Amanda Hocking

Pages: 356

Title: Ascend

Author: Amanda Hocking

Pages: 294

So these are the final 2 books in the Thrylle trilogy.  When I picked the first one at random off the Amazon top 10 book list I just thought the cover was eye catching and it sounded like an interesting story.  I didn't realize I was picking a book out of the Young Adult section.  OK, so I just read 3 books that were written for teenagers and up... no biggie.  It's not like I was going to stop once I found out, they were too darn good.  I'll admit it.  I enjoyed them.  I'll still recommend them.  They were enthralling books.  I mean you've gotta be captivating to get a teeni-boppers attention for 3 books in a row, right?  Hello, I'm the girl who started out this blog with a review about Harry Potter & I've read every book in the Twilight series (the final one twice).  I'm not too grown up for any books, as long as they have a good story.

It does seem that these books may have been rushed a bit into print, the second one especially, as it's chock full of errors.  But if you can get past that, you'll probably really enjoy theses.

I can't say that I personally cared for the way the final book ended, but I wont give too much away.  I guess we can't always have our way when there's a love triangle.  I liked the main character and pretty much all of the supporting cast.  And I've found myself doing a fair amount of research on the series since I finished it, so apparently it stuck with me.

Kristen: 7 of 15



Title: Switched

Author: Amanda Hocking

Pages: 330

Description (from Amazon.com)

Switched - the first book in the Trylle Trilogy...

When Wendy Everly was six-years-old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. It isn't until eleven years later that Wendy discovers her mother might have been right.

With the help of Finn Holmes, Wendy finds herself in a world she never knew existed - a world both beautiful and frightening, and Wendy's not sure she wants to be a part of it.

My Thoughts:

This is the first book I purchased to read on the Kindle for iPad app.  I choose this one off of a Kindle top sellers list when I decided I'd give reading on the iPad a try, even though I was against the idea before.

Pros: You can get your book right away. HUGE plus, especially when you get to the end of a book of a series and you want the next one.  No waiting for it to be shipped, or having to drive to the store.  Also, I rather enjoyed propping the iPad up in a pillow next to me as I lounged in bed and just tapping the screen to turn the page, plus no need for a book mark, it's always open to where you left it.

Cons: There's the battery life to think about.  While the battery life really lasts a LONG time.  I got through this book and halfway through the next before I had to plug it in, its still something you have to think about.  There's the fact that you are reading on an electronic device... as if my eyes don't spend enough time staring at a computer screen or a television.  Then there's the lack of a physical book to hold.  I realize this was also part of my "pros" but there's just something about holding a book that is nice.  Feeling how far you are into it, how far you've got to go. (granted there is a percentage bar at the bottom, it just doesn't quite feel the same).

All in all, I'll never give up the paper book it's definitely my favorite, but I'll keep the e book around too.  Anyhoo, on to the book review...

This book was different and familiar all at the same time.  In a way it kind of had a Twilight feel to it, but not really.  Wendy finds out that everything she thought about life is basically false, and that the stuff of myths is reality.  She was switched at birth by her real family to live with a human family and is now supposed to take her rightful place on the throne as the Trylle Princess.  Trylle are trolls, but not in the way that we imagine them; they are beautiful and powerful.  She has to learn her place in her new world. 

It's an interesting story and a quick easy read.  I really enjoyed it and would recomend it to someone looking for something a little out of the ordinary.

Kristen: 6 of 15

Title: Happy Ever After

Author: Nora Roberts

Pages: 368

Rating: ****

I loved the final book in the Bride Quartet!  This was by far my favorite!  I find that funny considering how when I finished book one I had this moment of let down realizing that the next books wouldn't be centered around Mac, the photographer, whom I'd completely fallen for! (not in a gay way)  I even had a brief thought of, "I really don't want to read an entire book about boring, stuffy Parker..."  Boy was I wrong!  In this book we follow Parker, the definition of perfection & the head of Vows, as she finds herself falling for the bad boy Malcolm.  All the while coming full circle as the girls prep for Mac's BIG day.

Since so much of the books revolves around why/where the girls are in this business together, it's neat to see a little deeper into Parker.  Vows may be a part of them all but it was her idea.  After the death of her parents, she turned the tragedy and their home in to something beautiful.  Plus the chemistry between Parker and Malcolm is undeniably steamy!  Read this one cover to cover in no time.  And the last two chapters pretty much had me in tears all the way through.  (In a good way!)  I recommend these books if you are looking for something fun to read.  This definitely isn't your heavier material, but hey four more books down and I throughly enjoyed myself along the way!

Kristen: 5 of 15

Title: Savor the Moment

Author: Nora Roberts

Pages: 339

Rating: ***



The third book in the bride series is about Laurel, the cake decorator of the group.  She actually does more than decorate wedding cakes, she's solo pastry chef for Vows which made parts of this one pretty fun for me to read.  Other times, this one seemed to lag, just a bit.  Or perhaps seem a little repetitive or the previous book.  All and all however, I enjoyed it and it even made me cry (in a good way).  I am on to the fourth and final tonight.

Rachel: #1 The Alchemist

I finished this book almost 2 weeks ago, I am little late posting.

The story is about a shepardd boy, sounds lame I know but this book has magic. It makes you want to do things that you've always wanted to do but put off. Santiago (Shepard boy) starts of on a journey for treasure and finds something even better within himself. I don't want to give to much away. I think this is a book that should be read once a year to keep you in check. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!

XOXO,
Rachel (the lollygagger of page turners)

Kristen: 3 & 4 of 15

Title: Vision in White

Author: Nora Roberts

Pages: 343

Rating: ***1/2





Title: Bed of Roses

Author: Nora Roberts

Pages: 358

Rating: *** 1/2

When I mentioned that I was doing the 15 book challenge, Chads mom gave me a few books to read by her favorite author, Nora Roberts.  I've never read any of her work, but figured I'd give it a try.  The reason I'm posting these two in the same post is twofold: 1) I read them in the same weekend and didn't have time to blog after completing the first one and 2) They are both part of the same four part series.

Having said that, "The Bride Quartet" as these books are referred follow a group of four lifelong besties who are also partners in "the" wedding company called Vows.  Each book is centered one of the girls.  Each of whom specializes in one of the aspects of the biz, i.e. the photographer, florist, pastry chef and the wedding planner.

The first in the series, Vision in White, follows Mackensie or "Mac" the professional photographer of the group.  She's always felt that for her love and romance should be on the other side of the camera lens or in a picture frame, certainly not something to let into her heart... until she comes smack head on with the cutie brother of a potential client. 

The second book, Bed of Roses, follows Emma the ridiculously beautiful and hopelessly romantic florist.  Never with out a date any night of the week because she's constantly searching for the one who will sweep her off her feet.

These books, while a little predictable, are light hearted, fun, quick & easy reads.  They focus on the bonds of friendship with touching moments and mixed in with plenty of romance.  Both books left me wanting to read the next.  I look forward to the next two, even if I pretty much have already predicted the outcomes of each of them.  I'm sure it will be enjoyable to see it played out.

Kristen: 2 of 15

Title: Water for Elephants

Author: Sara Gruen

Pages: 350

Rating: ****

So I set a mini goal (that I really didn't think I'd actually achieve) of completing two books before the end of January.  I  started book #2 on Thursday night, and even in the midst of a rather busy weekend, I got so wrapped up in the darn thing that i couldn't put it down.  When I reached the end I couldn't help but wish for more.

This was a great story and I'm looking forward movie that's coming soon.  The book follows the Depression-era circus life, from the perspective of it's main character.  The author did her homework, studying historic circus life and beautifully weaved truth into her work of fiction.

Thanks to my sis for recommending this one to me.  It was well worth the read.

Kristen: 1 of 15

Title: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Author: J.K. Rowling
Pages: 784
Rating: ****



I completed my first book of our 2011 book challenge!  I had actually already started reading it before we decided to do the challenge.  But it's a long one and I was only a couple hundred pages in, so I figured it would count.

This book was a "re-read" for me.  I read it for the first time when it first came out.  The problem... in my excitement (ok, so I'm a bit of a HP nerd, we stood in line to buy the book at midnight) I read the whole thing in a weekend.  It was great, but (fast forward to now, when the movies are coming out) I didn't feel like I had gotten a chance to really absorb all the little details.  So I felt a re-read was in order.

Even though the "Part One" move just came out, I'm still glad I choose to read this one now.  There is so much detail that the movie doesn't get a chance to cover.  It was a fun read.  It's a great finish to the series.  If you're into the movies, I'd definitely say reading the book is well worth it. 

I'll give it four stars, cause something with this many pages that can catch my attention twice has gotta be good.