*DUEL REVIEW* My Library Finds (Danielle Steel and Jodi Picoult)

Hey! I'm trying something new with this post today and for very good reasons. As I alluded to in my last post, I got inspired to go to the library and see if I could find some great reads. Fortunately, I did ! I found two promising books and they really delivered but the timing was not the best. I found the books less than two weeks before I was going on vacation and as you may know you have to return library books and I wasn't about to bring them on vacation. However, my due date happened to be the day before I went away so I went on a binge trying to finish reading both books. On the day before they were due I stayed up into the night to finish but it was all worth it because I really couldn't put down "Leaving Time" by Jodi Picoult.

Since I finished both books a day before I went away, I didn't have time to write the reviews right away as I normally like to. My bright idea was to write both reviews in one post. Hopefully it works out okay.

The first book I found was the first book I started reading. That lovely book was "Property of a Noblewoman." I've read Danielle Steel books before and was really pleasantly surprised so I was hoping for a similar outcome. I found tons of her books at the library and I narrowed them down by reading the inside covers to see which one sounded the most interesting. Sadly, this is how I pick books most of the time if I'm not just picking up the first one's whose cover looks the prettiest. I was really impressed with this book. Danielle Steel cranks out books like nothing. I don't know how she does it, but I'm sure glad she does.

"Property of a Noblewoman" was created with history, nostalgia and charm. It all started with an abandoned safe- deposit box that contained old post WWII pictures and exquisite jewelry with no rightful heir. Jane and Philip were assigned by chance to handle the estate. Little did they know that their assignment would be a stroke of fate. After learning more about the woman who left behind the jewelry, Philip's mother realizes that this woman could be her older sister that mysteriously died when she was very young. The adventure unfolds trying to find out if Philip's mom is the right ful heir or is their an even bigger surprise waiting for them.

The journey that this books unfolds is really remarkable. It created suspense and thrill and the plot twists don't disappoint. It reminds you that you are never too old to change your life and to find out who you really are. It was inspirational to see a 70 year old woman try to find herself even when everyone thought she should just let her family secrets rest. It's not everyday that you get a second chance at life. Danielle Steel created a timeless story with exceptional storytelling ability. I 'll have to browse the shelves to find more of her hidden gems.

Lastly, the second book was "Leaving Time" by Jodi Picoult. I love Jodi's books. I have read and reviewed other books of hers on the blog before. And I remember being at the library and scanning the shelves and nothing was catching my eye until I saw "Leaving Time." Initially I wasn't going to take it because I wanted to read a different author but as time dragged on I kept coming back to Jodi's book and I knew I really couldn't go wrong.

Hold the phone, stop what you are doing and run don't walk to get this book. "Leaving Time" left me with my jaw dragging on the floor. I almost couldn't comprehend what I was ready because that plot twist was on fire. "Leaving Time" had one of the the best plot twists of all time or at least one that I have ever read.

Jenna doesn't really remember mother, she just remembers moments and then sometimes she's not sure they really happened because she was only three when her mother disappeared. The only thing she really has are her mother's old journals as an elephant scientist. Jenna believes her mother wouldn't abandoned her but she doesn't know where she is or why she left her to live with her grandmother.

Jenna enlists the help of Serenity, a washed up psychic, who doubts her once very valuable gifts and Virgil,  alcoholic private investigator. The three of them create the most unlikely friendship as they try to uncover what happened the night her mom disappeared. Her dad, who was there at the elephant sanctuary the night of the accident, is no help since he is in an insane asylum and is even a threat to himself. Jenna doesn't ever give up hope and right as she is about to conclude the story, Jodi turns the story upside and swirls it all around. This is the part where the book turns into the sixth sense. Jenna is dead, Virgil is dead and Serenity's psychic powers are alive and well. Serenity's job was to help Jenna and Virgil spirits find their way to the other side because their souls never crossed over due to unfinished business in the real world.

To say I was shocked would be an understatement. The whole time reading the book I thought I had it all figured out. I was really rooting for her to find her mother or at least find some closure but what I found was so beyond unexpected. Jodi created a book that was much more than a powerful story about what happens to souls and the journeys in life that we never want to give up on. But it also provides amazing insight into the life of elephants. There was so much I learned about elephants in the wild or in sanctuary's that I'm not sure I will ever look at an elephant the same again. This book was riveting from beginning to end. I was blown away and it's not every day a book can do that to you.

I think you get the gist now that the books out did themselves. The library journey was a success and proves that the libraries still hold that old school charm.

Book Paradise

Searching for a new book is not always so easy, and lately I have been having the most difficult time. Nothing has really been hitting me. There hasn't been a book to hit the trend waves in a while, so I have had to do more research than normal. 

Today, I had some free time and something told me I should go to the library. It was like the day was just set in stone, like it was meant to be. Well, I decided to hit up one of my local libraries. 

Something kind of hit me when I went to the library and that something was nostalgia. Growing up, going to the library was like my candy store. It was as much of a day out as it would be going to the movies. As a young kid and up to now, there has always been something magical about going to the library. It holds something special for me that nothing else could replicate. It's my happiest place on Earth. 

Going to the library today instantly brought back those same feelings of excitement and anticipation of what books I was going to find. Looking at all the books gives me this simultaneous feeling of anxiousness and peace. It can be overwhelming at times because I have such high hopes for what I can find. Plus, you have hundreds of books at your finger tips for FREE. Lot's of Book Bound material is supported by the New York Public Libraries because books can be expensive. It also makes it easier to get a bunch of new books to review right away. 

The inspiration for this blog post was from my experience at the library today. Even though it wasn't the best library that I have been too, it still created for me that childhood innocence and excitement that never gets old. I have to remember that even though going to the library isn't a very popular thing to do for people my age, it's still popular in my heart. It is still something that people should put there support behind. It's the only place that I know of that you can go and get something special for free. Books to me are priceless and beautiful works of art that help you escape from your realty. They give you a place to go when your mind just can't rest. They lift your mind and creativity to new heights. It's the only thing in this world, outside of my family and friends, that I have had a connection to. The one constant thing in my world that has made sense. Books have and always will be a part of me, a part of my soul. 

XOXO,

Cheryl 

REVIEW: "The Girl on the Train"- BY:Paula Hawkins

Happy July! I have a great book review for you today!

First off, I've been having a slight struggle figuring out what to read lately. Usually, I have a running list of books but it has gotten harder recently. I haven't heard of a hyped up book in quite some time so it has definitely taken a little more time to do research.

The book review this time is for "The Girl on the Train." Now this was a hyped up book at one time. I remember seeing it everywhere and especially in Target stores for quite awhile. I remember thinking at that time that I wasn't really interested in what the book was about, basically it wasn't my time to read the book. So, now in my desperate time of need for a book, this book popped up and fell in my lap at just the right time. Now lets stop using the word time and get to the review.

Rachel is a recently divorced alcoholic. She rides the train to and from work everyday even though she was recently let go. She sits in the same seat and looks out at the same familiar landscape. She especially looks forward to seeing this one particular group of houses. One is her old house the other is of a couple that lives a few houses down (Scott & Megan) that looks like the perfect couple with the perfect life that she once had in that neighborhood. Everyday, she looks forward to spotting the couple outside on the terrace soaking in the sun or having a cup of coffee. Rachel creates in her mind the life she thinks they live and what they like to do. She also tries to avoid looking at her old home, where her ex-husband Tom still lives with his new wife Anna and their little girl Evie. They are everything she wanted in her life but as it turns out, Rachel can not conceive so her life crumbled and she turned to drinking.

One not so ordinary day, Rachel spots Megan kissing another guy that's not Scott. And one roughly bingeful night Rachel wakes up completely bruised and beaten but she can't remember what happened to her. All she knows was that she went to her old neighborhood but the rest was a blur. Then Megan mysteriously goes missing and her body found down by the river. Rachel finds herself right in the middle. Police question her because Anna saw her at the train station the night of the disappearance. All Rachel wants to do is tell Scott that Megan had been unfaithful because Rachel knows how it feels to have a spouse cheat on them. Rachel and Scott start a tumultuous relationship of trying to help Scott figure out who could have killed Megan and what happened that night that she can't remember. Little does she know just how intertwined her life really was to Megan's murder.

"The Girl on the Train" was suspenseful and thrilling. Some of the best writing is the kind that really makes you feel the emotions and actions that are happening. And that't exactly what this book did for me. The book was dark and twisted. It was like going through the mind of an addict. I loved how the chapters each had a different perspective of the three girls: Rachel, Anna and Megan. Each character was awesomely developed to truly feel like you have a good sense of what each character was like before and after the murder. I'm so glad I decided to read this book. It gets The Book Bound seal of approval. I don't want to give away the ending but be prepared for some plot twists and turns that make the whole book exceptional.

XOXO
Cheryl

"The Walking Dead" Compendium Comics

"The Walking Dead" came from somewhere before it was a hit TV show. It was first created as a comic. I've been a fan of the show for a couple of seasons now. It captured my attention almost straight away and even made me cry, which is not something I usually do when watching TV. 

After the last season ended on a cliff hanger, it really got me wanting to know what happens next. Plus we all know that TV and movies don't always stick to the script, so to speak. 

I choose the compendiums because they are all the editions of the comics wrapped up into on book. It makes it easier so that I don't to buy each individual one, which would be a lot of money and time. The compendiums are huge but totally worth it. I breezed through these compendiums. The books are huge but it't not hard when the book is made of mostly pictures. 

I truly loved the experience of reading the true "Walking Dead" story. It was amazing to see where the comic and the book differ. The comic definitely had a slightly less than TV friendly demeanor so at times it made sense that they changed the story. Even though I love the TV show story line, it was really cool to read the comic and get this whole other side of the story. Because even though the settings of the show may not be too different, the people and events have differences that make the comic a whole different story and a great story companion. 

If your a "Walking Dead" fan, you should definitely get your hands on these comics. It's such a fun and exciting read with as much cliffhangers and plot twits as the show. There are characters that are still in the comic that don't even make it past the first season of the show. It's truly a different side of "The Walking Dead." Can't wait till they compile the next set of comics into the 4th compendium.

Ciao,

Cheryl

P.S. There will be a new book review coming very soon! Check back soon. :)

REVIEW: "Grey"- BY: E.L. James

Welcome back to another review!

Sigh.....

I hate to start a blog post like that, but sometimes you just have to be real. What I almost hate even more is the review I am bringing you. Maybe hate is a strong word. I guess I should explain...

"Grey" is the Christian Grey version of "Fifty Shades of Grey." Before I started blogging, I read the fifty shades trilogy. I bought the first one on my Nook and refused to spend my own money on the rest so I opted on borrowing them from a friend of a friend. Probably wondering why I even bothered finishing the series but I wanted to do just that, finish. I can't just invest some time in a story and not find out how it ends. That's just wrong.

When "Grey" came out, I'm not going to lie I was a little intrigued. There's no denying that Christian Grey is beyond alluring. He seems intoxicating. BUT he also seems like a really "fucked up son of a bitch." (If you read that book you will get why that is in quotes) There is so much I despise about Christian, Anastasia and all the books combined. I flat out almost refused to continue reading "Grey" when I first started it. I was so tempted to just call it off, but like I said, I have to finish. And  hate to make this post all about my anger towards these books, but I aim to write reviews whether good or bad. This one happens to be the worst.

Christian Grey is everything I hate in a man. Over-possesive, domineering, control freak and out right egotistical. I can't stand how he "needs" to cause physical pain to women to live his life. I'm sorry but there is no way that that can be acceptable to anyone or be an acceptable way to live. I know that technically he doesn't want relationships he wants submissives, but I find it absolutely appalling. And Anastasia is the opposite of a heroine in this book. Shes such a naive little brat who makes no sense, who also happens to have the perfect body and looks. Honey, no one is perfect. It makes me sick. The whole BDSM lifestyle is nothing short of horrifying and I want no part of it.

If you've read the trilogy then you know what "Grey" is about. I will admit that it was enlightening to see this perspective, mainly for the fact that I now have validation that Christian Grey is the worst fictional character of all time.

Sorry....


not sorry.

xoxo

REVIEW: "You Can't Make This Stuff Up: Life Changing Lessons From Heaven" - BY: Theresa Caputo

Welcome back to my regular book reviews. Glad to be getting back on track. There are so many books in the lineup so check back for more reviews coming soon. 

Back in May of 2014, I read Theresa Caputo's first book, "There's More to Life Than This." I reviewed it for this blog and recently re-read it and I consider that review one of my best, if not my best work. Looking back, I remember how deeply moved and inspired I was by the first book. Her books and her message were totally unexpected. It is truly a soul changing experience. 

When I found out that she wrote another book, I knew what my next book was going to be. And it was just as soul changing as the first. This time around she focused mostly on life lessons and our souls journey in this life. She often talks about soul- searching and how important it is to find out our souls purpose on this earth. I learned a lot about how our souls reincarnate and choose our bodies and then come to earth to continue learning the lessons it didn't fully learned on its first round on earth before they died. Your soul also has the choice to stay in heaven and learn the lessons there. It's all about of your souls journey to reach the highest level of heaven which is where God is supposed to be. 

Most importantly I learned a lot about how our choices and the way we view our life and our reactions to things can effect our souls. Theresa explained the ways that we should go through life trying to trust in our souls journey and to not hold grudges, resentment or anger. We should always be kind, do out best and let go and forgive all the things that weigh heavy on out hearts and souls. It only effects ourselves in the next life. 

I think in a lot of ways it was my destiny to read this book. Sometimes along the way, you need to stop and smell the roses. Look around you and realize that life is a wonderful gift. I needed this reminder to get my life and my soul's life back on track. It helped me feel more comfortable in my journey and that no matter what is happening, I am were I am meant to be. 

Theresa also included many stories about the people she has read. Each story was so powerful and moving. It was again, comforting to know that our loves ones who have crossed over are always looking out for us and guiding us from the other side.

I don't thing nearly enough people give Theresa the time of day to truly listen to her message. Theresa said her gift was from God and spirit to help the world receive his message in a new and more interesting way and I truly believed it has helped me to feel stronger to my faith and believe and trust more in God's will for my life. It's not always easy to give up some control of your life or destiny but her message makes me feel more secure that God has the right plan set out for me and for everyone.We just have to listen and live the best possible life. 

I highly recommended reading her books not only are her books entertaining and fun reads, but there life changing and help you to be a better person. And who doesn't need a little lesson in that?!

REVIEW: "14th Deadly Sin"- BY: James Patterson

Hey!

Look at me, two blog posts in one month! I'm proud. :)

This book review is supported again by the book contributions of my lovely co-worker.
She's a quick reader and I'm sure I will have endless book supply from her.

Now about the book...
I have only read one other book by James Patterson and that was also reviewed on this blog and I loved it. But if I remember correctly, I didn't like the ending. Much like I didn't really like this one either. It seems James Patterson loves to leave a good cliff hanger. I'm not about that. But, who am I to question an acclaimed authors style? Clearly, he's doing something right.

"14th Deadly Sin" is another mystery book. It is also apart of Patterson's series of "The Women's Murder Club." I did have some reservations before reading it because, as I've said before, if I don't think I would pick this book up myself then there's a good chance I might not like it. However, lately I have been eating my words because I've liked all the books so far.

There have been a lot of robbery/murders happening in San Francisco. The SFPD has been trying to connect the dots before anyone else gets murdered. Claire, Yuki Cindy and Lindsay make up "the Women's Murder Club." They coined the name because they each work in some aspect of the law or media that requires them to be involved with murders and and crimes. There are two major mysteries that have been happening. The first is a string of murders that are happening in broad day light to women on the same day for five years. The other is a string of robberies that end of with deaths. This case largely has to do with drugs. These robbers are identified by masks and SFPD windbreaker jackets. That is all they know of these criminals but can't seem to figure out who these people are and why they keep robbing and killing. People keep dying left and right that might have answers to who is behind all this but are the killers right under their noses? That is the driving question of this book.

"14th Deadly Sin" is largely compelling. It catches you right away, if not just for the aspect of it being a mystery and you need to know what happens. The chapters are nice and short so you can breeze through this book nicely. I really enjoyed the writing style because it was quick and dynamic and just kept your imagination running. You couldn't help rooting for the SFPD once they starting fitting the pieces together. And I love how the book did break up to accommodate the other ladies and their stories that eventually was all connected in the end. The way that happened was purely  seamless.

Patterson definitely will be put on my list of approved authors. The reading was so effortless yet still complex. It felt like a nice change of pace. I hope you enjoyed the diversity I'm trying to bring to appeal to all of my book lovers.

Feel free to comment a favorite Patterson book!

REVIEW: "The Tides of Memory"- BY: Sidney Sheldon

Here's another review for ya! I'm gonna make it as short and sweet as I can.

An older woman that I work with and I got to talking one day and we realized we are both book lovers. I always feel like I'm in good company with a book lover. Now me and my co-worker do not have exactly the same taste in books. Partially because there is a significant age gap, but also because well, we just have different tastes. She has a much more mature reading style and I still tend to gravitate towards teen fiction. But, I don't like to book discriminate so when she said she left me a good book to read, I couldn't say no.

"The Tides of Memory," is largely a mystery thriller. But what is great about this book is that it's not the creepy kind of mystery books that I often associate with mysteries. The story line was very reminiscent of other books that I love, so I quickly immersed myself in this book.

The book is initially set at a summer camp in the 70's where Toni Galetti and Billy Hamlin become too distracted with each other to realize that a young boy camper has drowned. However, Billy takes the rap for it all because he loves Toni and doesn't want to see her go to jail. Billy winds up going to jail for 20 years and Toni runs away and is never to be seen again.... as Toni. Toni runs away to England and starts another life as Alexia. No one comes looking for her and she ends up marrying Teddy De Vere who is British royalty. Aelxia, for some time, lives a politically sophisticated life with her husband and two kids. That is until she became Home Secretary of England. From that moment on, things start to unravel or Alexia one by one. Her daughter had tried to commit suicide but ultimately ended up paralyzed in a wheel chair. Her son quit University to follow a dream and Billy, the boy who took the rap for her all those years ago, has suspiciously showed up in England looking for Alexia.

Billy has gone crazy since he got out of jail and ends up dead in England as he was trying to get Alexia to help him because he has been hearing voices that someone was going to kill her and his daughter. Alexia didn't want anything to do with Billy, since she tried to hard to erase her old life.

Alexia is ultimately pushed out of office because surprisingly to Alexia, her husband was charged with murder of her daughters ex-boyfriend and also of the murder of Billy Hamlin. Alexia thought her husband was the good one but he did heinous acts to protect his family.

The biggest surprise came when the book revealed that Alexia's best friend Lucy was actually the brother of the little boy that died at camp under Toni's watch that Billy went to jail for. Lucy had been plotting for years to get revenge on her and Billy. Lucy almost successfully kills Alexia but ends up just killing herself and leaving her family completely in shock.

The book may start out a little slow with peaks and valleys to keep you on your toes. But once all hell breaks lose it is like an avalanche of misfortune. One crazy incident after another. I was pleasantly surprised by the story line of the book and was even more surprised by the way the book was written. I loved the style of writing and appreciated the shorter chapters and breaks within.  It is definitely a compelling read and the ending was something I totally had not suspected. There are multiple twists and turns in this book that deserves a gold star.

REVIEW: "P.S. I Still Love You"- BY: Jenny Han

Hey! Glad to be writing another review! Let's get into it.

If you have been following my blog for some time now, you will know how I feel about the book that preceded this one, which is, "To All The Boys I've Loved Before." That review is something else. It was my first truly negative review. I was outraged over that book for some reason. That book was everything I despise in a book, which is no true ending. And I'm starting to realize that I shouldn't be so hard on books. Books can sometimes be very subjective. We all interpret books differently and I'm trying to change my perspective on them. I take each book for what it is and try to think about it deeply and critically until the book lacks all meaning. This method works. It might not make sense or you might think I'm crazy because I put so much thought into the meaning of books. But what can I say, books are my life.

Anyways... What can I say about "P.S.", that's what I'm gonna call it. There's not much I can really say about this book. It's a prequel to a book that I nearly despise. You are probably wondering why I even read it at all considering that I hated the other one so much. Here's why I read it, and it's simple, I knew I would get my long awaited ending. I was prepared this time for the style of writing and basic plot line. Not much has changed in that respect. But I'm happy to report that the ending was exactly that, an ending.

We left off with Lara Jean trying to figure out what she is going to do next. We don't know if Peter, the guy she really likes wants to be with Lara Jean and we don't know what will become of Lara Jean and her neighbor Josh. Happily, the book pretty much goes straight to the good stuff which is Lara Jean and Peter getting together. I love them together, their love story was the one redeeming quality the first book had. But of course Peter and Lara Jean go through the typical teenage romance trials and another man John comes in to swoop Lara Jean off her feet. But the bad boy, the one that makes your heart flip, Peter, is that one that Lara Jean can't let go of and Peter can't let go of the good girl Lara Jean. The book ends in the happily- ever- after kind of way that makes my heart happy. It also makes me believe that someway, somehow Jenny Han read my last review,

Of course, their are story lines introduced and never fully developed in this book, such as her Dad's possible love life with the neighbor. Or even Stormy, the older lady she helps at her volunteer job at Belleview. Also, the Margo and Josh love story that was brutally ended and Josh was nearly non- existent in this novel. He comes in and out like a ghost which I think works in some way. However part of me misses having Josh stirring things up.  But maybe I'm missing the whole point of the book, which is love always finds a way and we have to give love the chance to break our hearts because love doesn't come without taking some risks.

It's a must read for me if you read the first book. You won't be wowed but you won't be disappointed either.

XOXO

REVIEW: "Saint Anything"- BY: Sarah Dessen

Hey!

I'm excited to welcome you all to another review with a much anticipated book release, "Saint Anything." Sarah Dessen has been a long time favorite author of mine. Her books are light hearted, fun and meaningful. I always find myself doing a lot of self reflecting when I read her books. Probably because her stories are so relatable. Sarah's books are also some of the only books that I pre-order months in advance. I get so excited and sometimes I really don't know why. To be brutally honest, her writing isn't the most amazing writing I've read. But I think her books are like security blankets. They are so comfortable to get into and you just can't help to get wrapped up in it. It's like reconnecting with an old friend. Nothing really changes but it's always a good time.

"Saint Anything" truly spoke to the young girl in me. Sydney, has always been in the shadows of her older brother Peyton. He was always the good looking and star child, until he wasn't. Even when Peyton took a turn to the dark side and got sent to prison, Sydney was still lost in translation. Her mom is too worried about how Peyton is doing, to worry about how this could be affecting Sydney. SO Sydney decides to make some changes. She switches to a new school and decides to hit up a new pizza place for her after school activity to avoid going home. These changes bring her a gang of new friends that help her finally be noticed. She finally is able to come alive and be who she has always wanted to be. She stands up to her parents and finds her voice that she has craved for so long.

I could go into detail about everything that happens but what's the point when this book is something you should read for yourself. Sarah really stepped it up with this book. It reminded me a lot of the way John Green writes. There was a lot more depth and meaning and less drag out of things that aren't important. She also didn't cut to the chase too fast but let the story progress naturally. We may never see eye to eye on how she ends her books but I can appreciate a writers wishes. And of course there is always a cute love story to go along with it. I can't say that the story is truly some amazing work of fiction but it's definitely true to Dessen form, which ain't bad either.

Stay tuned for a cute 2nd anniversary post! Can't believe it's been two years since I've started this journey and I'm never looking back. Love you all !

REVIEW: "An Abundance of Katherines"- BY: John Green

Welcome to another book review! I'm happy to be bringing you another John Green review. I'm kind of on a mission to read every John Green book. With the exception of 2, because I just don't think I will enjoy a book that he has collab writed with.
Anyways... I want to sort of keep this review short and sweet.
"An Abundance of Katherines" is right off the bat, not my favorite John Green book. I didn't realize that this book was published in 2006. This does explain something to me because that was quite some time ago. I was about 13 or 14 back then... (That just made me feel old). I assume this book was at the start of John Green's magical writing. Plus, not every book you write is going to be a hit.

Colin Singelton is a genius. He can anagram most every word and even won a nice sum of money from a trivia game show. He seems to have a lot going for him. But if you ask Colin, he may tell you another story. His life is plagued with the curse of the Katherines. Colin's type just happens to be girls named Katherine. And he has dated and been dumped by 19 of them (well except one, we later learn.)
After been dumped by Katherine-19, Colin leaves town with his friend Hassan. They embark on a mission to figure out the meaning to his life, as well as figure out his "Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability," which he hopes will help him predict future relationships and help him find the girl for him.
*Side Note: this book has math equations. This might be a reason why this book fell a little flat for me.However, I do applaud him on the fact that all the math was legitimately created by a math genius. *

On this adventure, Hassan and Colin stumble upon an tour of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand's death plot. This pit stop became more than a pit stop, it became for all intents and purposes, their home. Now enters, Lindsey. She gave Hassan and Colin the tour and later introduces them to her mother who employs the boys in her factory. Lindsey teaches the boys about the town and the factory that keeps the town going strong. Lindsey, Hassan and Colin go on many adventures and learn a lot about love.

In the end, Colin completes his Theorem and finds that love can not be defined. It can't be explained but that it is infinite. Colin and Lindsey end up falling for each other. Therefore, breaking the curse of the Katherines and also the predictability of the Theorem.

I didn't particularly find this book enthralling. It didn't really keep me coming back other then the fact that I wanted to finish it so I could review it for the blog. The math equations throughout the book definitely threw me off. I felt that it took away from the real story line and message that the book could have. Regardless, John Green still has a way with words that still makes you want to know how it all ends.  The characters were hilarious and full of unique complexities. It wouldn't necessarily recommend it but if you're a John Green lover then this is still a must read.

REVIEW: "Where She Went"- BY: Gayle Forman

Hey book lovers,

Let's get started with another book review. I'll make this short and sweet because well, spoiler alert, that's pretty much how I feel about the book.

"Where She Went," is the sequel to the ever popular book turned movie "If I Stay." No doubt "If I Stay" is a classic. I also reviewed it on this blog a few months back. You might want to check out that post before you read this one. But if you are all caught up I will get on with this review....

"Where She Went" is told from Adam Wilde, Mia's boyfriends, point of view three years after the tragic accident that killed Mia's parents and her little brother. After the accident, Mia went off to Julliard and basically left Adam in the lurch.  As you could probably surmise, Adam was completely devastated by this. However, his anger and depression fueled him to write the hit album Collateral Damage that launched his band Shooting Star into mega stardom. Adam had the life. He was living like a rock star and had a celebrity girlfriend named Bryn.
On the East coast, Mia was fulfilling her dream of because a concert cellist. She was making waves at Julliard and even graduated early.

The book picks up in the present when Adam is in New York, where Mia is, about to do an interview. However, Adam doesn't like the rock star life. He is just going through the motions but still distraught over Mia leaving him high and dry. Music doesn't speak to him anymore and he is really ready to quit the band but he has a tour that he has to leave for the next day. Adam erupts during the interview which gives his manager a clue that he needs some time off. Adam gets another day to recoup.

Adam takes his time off to go explore the city and stumbles upon a poster advertising that Mia will be playing a concert that night in the city. Adam decides to go under the radar. However, at the end of the concert, Adam was requested by Mia to go backstage.

This starts the night that will rekindle the lost love between Adam and Mia. Mia takes Adam on a tour of her favorite parts of the city. They talk and reminisce about the old times and at first skating around the bigger issue which is why Mia left Adam. But when they get to the Brooklyn Bridge, Mia lets out everything and Adam loses it. He finally breaks down everything that he had been feeling for the past 3 years. They talk some more and then they go back to Mia's place where they fall asleep. The next morning Adam walks around her apartment and realizes that neither of them want to let each other go. They kiss and everything falls right back into place.

Okay,... so maybe this won't be so short. BUT I do have some valid things to say. This book is extremely unnecessary. I can understand that the way "If I Stay" was left off was made to seem like a sequel was necessary but it wasn't. I can't say that I hate the  book but it just seemed so played out. I like using my own imagination to decide what happened after Mia decided to stay. And I understand that not everyone will feel that way. It was a beautiful story, something I can't deny. And something else is that it was nice to know exactly where the author decided to go with the story but it felt like a waste of a book. Literally, all it was is within the span of two days they find each other talk  and fall in and out of love all over again. Yes, it has a beautiful happy ending like I love but it seems like not something I would waste my money on. Maybe borrow it or go tot he library.

I hate to sound so harsh but if I am one thing, I am honest.

That's all I have for you today. If you have any other questions or comments. leave them below!

Ciao,
Cheryl

REVIEW: "Gone Girl" - BY: Gillian Flynn

Welcome back Book Lovers! 

I'm pretty excited to bring you a review of "Gone Girl." I'm probably late to the party again, but that's just my style. Not much of a follower... ya know?!

Anyways, "Gone Girl" is probably not new to you and if it is then I feel pretty good about myself because I just taught you a little something ! :) 

Regardless, "Gone Girl" is basically a house-hold name. You've maybe seen the movie and better yet you read the book before you did. I don't know about you but the trailer of the movie definitely mislead me about the book. My impression of the book, just based on the trailer, made me feel as if this was going to be some middle aged women's version of a mystery/crime scene. That sounds a little harsh but mainly what I'm trying to say is that it could be very blase and not the style I'm impressed with. 

I haven't seen the movie yet because I just finished reading the book. As the natural order should go. It was definitely on my radar because of all the interesting things I've heard about the book. 

I was intrigued from the first sentence. The writing style was beautiful. It was fluid, clear and enticing. I kept finding myself trying to play detective. I was trying to think one step ahead of the author. I went through various stages where I thought maybe he did because it sure did seem like it ... but then just when you thought you had it pegged down, she would flip it on you and you were thinking of a totally different scenario. It was a very natural progression but one that definitely shocked you and you love it for doing that.

Something that I love about books is the hold they can have on you. The hold can be before you read it, while you are reading it or after you read it. This book definitely had all 3. I was excited to read it, couldn't put it down and didn't want to let it go. 

I hate to give some big plot or round up about the gist of this book because it has been so popular in the media. However, I will implore you with a small bit about the book that I feel will help you get a good idea and make you read it or not if you haven't already done so.

Amy and Nick have been married for 5 years when Amy suddenly goes missing from their Missouri home. Nick doesn't freak out but is definitely curious as to how this could possibly have happened. He tries to keep his tracks clear because he knows the story with missing wives and the husbands have nothing to show for it. Nick knows his marriage wasn't great. They both turned into different people after they happened to be married for a little while, but Nick denies any involvement in this disappearance. We slowly learn the true inner workings in the mind of Nick and Amy through narration and "diary" entries that Amy has written. Don't count Nick out just yet. Don't let your mind slip into feminist paranoia towards men. Maybe some women are driven  mad and would do anything to seek their "rightful" attention. 

There is a lot about this book that I love. I love the way it is laid out. Every chapter is either in the voice of Nick or Amy. You are constantly getting a contradiction or rather understanding of what you just read in the last chapter. Its enticing and totally "revolutionizes", if I can say that, about the way I feel towards murder mysteries or disappearances. I never really gave them much thought but I'll probably never think of them the same again. And maybe there is a lot of fictionalization that you can't apply to real life but I always say, "Never say never!"

BUT.. I will leave you with something that still seems to keep plaguing me is the ending. For a book that is full of such suspense, insanity and intrigue the ending still makes me sit and wonder what I just read. Maybe it has a deeper meaning then I can truly wrap my head around at the moment. But it felt like an awfully odd way to let things go. 

Either way, it is what it is and I'll let you go by saying: Yes, read the book enjoy it and let me know what you thought about the ending. I definitely want to hear some thoughts about this book! 

Ciao!

REVIEW: "The Catastrophic History of You and Me"- BY:Jess Rothenberg

Hello book lovers!

I know what you're thinking and I'll spare you my long list of excuses. BUT truthfully ever since I finished reading "The Catastrophic History of You and Me," I've been super busy. I got a new job that is keeping me away from reading and writing as much as I would like too. And this review has been put off long enough.

Full disclosure though, I don't see this review being of great help to anyone truly wanting to understand the book better. This one will be short and mostly work off what I felt about the book, which is all good things might I add. Since it has been some time since I turned off the Nook and said good-bye to the book, it's hard for me to remember exactly what the book entailed. I can't say I'm happy with myself that I waited this long. This book was not something I hated or could have easily just said well it's not worth my time. But this book is worth it. Personally, when I think about it long enough... if I were to talk completely about the plot of the story, I would be giving too much away. Perhaps my feelings are the best way to entice you and engage your emotions towards the book.
Recently, I've been getting re-inspired to read because we all know reading inspiration is the best kind of inspiration. Anyways...

"The Catastrophic History of You and Me," appealed to my fantasy side. The side that believes in the afterlife and the magic that the "other side" can hold. Life after death books are books that speak to my soul... no pun intended. It's so fun to read about how someone else interprets the other world. For Rothenberg, she believes that we meet our soul mates in heaven... well sort of. Brie dies from a literal broker heart. Her heart completely breaks when her boyfriend breaks up with her. Her life in the after world is what I would equate to purgatory. She hasn't entered the pearly gates, she is in this limbo state where she hasn't really left her hometown but she is still so far away. She spends days at this "other world" pizzeria and awaits what happens to her next. Because there will be things that happen to her. Brie needs to learn a lot more before she enters the next phase of her other life.

Brie meets Patrick in her other world. Patrick is the one who will guide Brie through her stages of grief. But Patrick ultimately becomes more to Brie then just a mentor. He becomes her soul mate. And through their friendship she learns all about how the other side works. And how some souls get a second chance to live another life in the real world after they die at the cost of another soul in death. Brie was a previous dead soul that went back to heaven when given a second chance by Patrick and Patrick waited many years for Brie to come back.

This book definitely holds a special place in my heart. It is beautifully written and beautifully told. It's a magical story with both the ups and downs that compels you to push forward. Something interesting about this kind of life after death book is that there is a lot of time that you can spend walking around all your familiar places. And you can even harness the ability to actually touch and feel things. One of my favorite parts is that Bries dog could even see her and he even stays with her in her journey through the afterlife but still goes home in the end.The love story between Patrick and Brie can only be equated to a fairy tale. Patrick looks at Brie like she is the only thing that matters in the entire world. Brie takes some convincing but once she begins to understand the connection they have, then the magic truly begins.
There are so many good things I can say about this book, but mostly I just want you to read this book.You won't feel robbed of your time but only feel more full of life than ever. There is a special place on the top of my list for this book.

REVIEW: "The Storyteller"- BY: Jodi Picoult

There's a lot to say about "The Storyteller." But first, what I would like to say is that I'm very happy that I chose this book. I found this book at Target back in the summer and had plans on reading it on vacation but the summer got away with me and I had to put it off till now. 

Something that is hard to find at times and truly get your head into reading is: historical fiction. I love history and truly enjoy reading a book that can give you a perspective on major historical events.

"The Storyteller" is historical fiction based on the Holocaust. Just by reading the back of the book, you would have no idea that this book is about the Holocaust. So I was definitely a little surprised when a large section of the book was devoted to the main character's grandmothers story of survival during the Holocaust. Without this section, I think this book would have fell flat. 

The book had three sections. The first was developing the main character and the story line that leads up to the second section, which is about the Holocaust. Sage is the main character, and she has been through a lot. She is only 25 and lost both her parents. The one thing in life she is sure of is her ability to bake bread. She works at a bakery during the middle of the night so that the bakery can be full by morning. Once her shift is over, she goes home and sleeps. She classifies herself as a loner. She only gets of the house when she is meeting up with her lover, who is married. They met at her moms wake because he was the funeral director. She walks around trying to hide the large scar she has on her face. But you never find out why she has the scar. 

Josef, a very old but respected man in the neighborhood comes into the bakery everyday. Sage against her will talks to Josef because she feels bad that he comes in all alone. Before long, they build a friendship and Josef tells her that he used to be an officer during the Holocaust and did the wort imaginable things. He ask her a huge favor. He wants her to help him die. Josef feels that he is being punished because he can't die and he has no one left in his life. 

Sage battles with this decision, But she ultimately feels she needs to tell the authorities. She gets in contact with Leo, another main character, whose job it is to convict former Nazi's. 

This leads us up the section where, Leo and Sage get to listen to her grandmother, Minka's story about her time in the Holocaust. It was one of the most vividly, amazingly examples of historical fiction I have ever read. It was full of real emotion and it made me wonder just how horrible some things in life truly are. It made me so grateful to be where I am today. 

Eventually, they find out that Josef was the man that killed Minka's friend during the Holocaust. This was enough to get him convicted. However, Minka dies the night after she tells the story. Now they no longer have a witness to identify the man to the murder. Their only next course of action is to get Josef to confess to the murder on tape. Sage successfully completes that mission but is still torn on whether she should help him die. Leo wants him to go to jail but ultimately Sage takes it upon herself and poisons him and doesn't tell anyone she is doing it. Leo and the police find him dead in his house. 

However, when you think the book is over, the plot twists and leaves Sage completely speechless. I don't like to give away the ending of books because I'm not running a spoiler blog but I truly believe this book will help you to grow as a person and change your perspective on different cultures and walks of life. 

REVIEW: "Paper Towns" - BY: John Green

It's not a surprise that John Green can write a good book. He is quickly becoming my go- to author if I'm ever stuck wondering what to read next. Coincidentally, that is exactly what led me to read this book, "Paper Towns."
If you go look back through my blog, you can see I've read 2 other John Green books and if you have read those blog entries, then you know that I must have had VERY high expectations for this book. However, for some reason I find that I have an almost sixth sense about books. I can take one good look at the book without almost barely reading the synopsis to know if I will like the book or not. This book set off my sensors and I told my expectations to simmer down a bit. I held off reading this book for quite a bit for those same reasons. I just was not ready to be disappointed quite yet, but privy to my needs I thought of my wonderful blog and knew I needed to suck up my inhibitions and dive right in.

Set in sunny Orlando, Florida, where Quentin ("Q") and Margo lived just right next door, you would find a mostly normal suburban families. Q and Margo were friends since day one and Q began to fall in love with her from that day. However, when they were around 9 years old, Q and Margo went to the park alone and stumbled upon a body of a man who had just killed himself. That one experience could surely scar a young kids life. For Q he was able to adjust normally. However, for Margo it ignited Margo's sense of mystery and wonder and she was never the same again. Margo and Q never saw each other again after that day at the park, even though they still lived next door.

Where they left off, the book picks up many years later, just a few months away from Q and Margo graduating from college. Q never stopped loving Margo but from a far. He saw her like a precious jewel that you love to stare at but too afraid to touch. Q made other friends but mostly drifted through high school. However, Margo was part of the popular crowd. She was someone that everyone envied. But Margo had a mysterious side. She would randomly run away and go missing for a few days because she had a tough home life and most importantly for this book, because she felt like a paper girl in a paper town. She had real fears of being stuck in a paper town...

One day Margo climbs through Q's window and persuades him to take a revenge adventure with her. Margo planned this elaborate scheme to get back at all those who wronged her and she also let Q get some revenge of his own. At the end of their night long journey, Q thought this was going to be the start of something really special between them, however it wasn't exactly in the way he had planned. The next day Margo disappeared again but this time she didn't go come back. Margo left some clues behind on where she was headed and it took Q two months and on graduation day to figure it out. Q, along with his pals Ben his girlfriend Lacy  and Radar went on an almost 24 hour road trip to find and save Margo. Q thought once he found her he could bring her home and start over, but what he found was a girl who was not willing to leave and be a paper girl in a paper town. She was a mystery and a mystery she remained.

Now I wish I could tell you what a paper town is or even what a paper girl is ... and I don't want to discredit John Green for his attempt at an explanation, but I just don't get enough understanding of the main underlying theme of this book and for that it makes  this book almost lack luster. There is so much potential for this book and truly it reaches some high points because John Green yet again delivers with deep and profound prose that make you look at life in a much more spectacular way. But the ending leaves me wanting so much more, it is so difficult to wrap my head around a young girl who runs away to the middle of nowhere in an abandoned barn all alone. Also, her family basically disowned her which is just about the nail in the coffin. It's hard to fathom this kind of reality and I feel a lot of this book will go right over people's heads, but what saved the book for me was John Green's magnificent charm that just never seems to disappoint.

REVIEW: "If I Stay" - BY: Gayle Forman

Long overdue, but here none the less...

"If I Stay" is not a new book to me. Almost 3 years ago, I was browsing the book store with a friend of mine. When she spotted the book, she told me that this was definitely one I had to read. I could tell by her reaction that I knew I needed to find out what made this book so great. 

Fast forward to present time, "If I Stay" is just days away from its movie premiere and like any book lover, you need to read the book before you watch the movie. So in book lover fashion, I dug out this book and decided to re-enter a book with no hesitation. 

First off, I love the plot of this book. The concept is right on track with the kind of premise for books that I enjoy. I would like to disclaim that I'm not necessarily in love with the pure tragedy of the book. However, I am into reading about things that I either have not experienced or things beyond human explanation. Basically, far out things that only our imaginations can explore properly. 

This all relates back to the core of this book, which is the tragic story of a family who went out for a drive on a snowy day and got plowed by a truck. There's no easy way to explain it. Mia without realizing it wakes up after the accident and sees her dead family laying on the side of the road. The only person she can't find is her little brother Teddy. When she thinks she found him, she actually finds her own body and starts to realize what has happened. Mia is having an out of body experience. She is somewhere between life and death but she doesn't really know. She follows her body as it is rushed to the hospital. It is there where she will make her life changing decision, whether she stays and lives or goes and dies.... You can see there is so much intrigue with this kind of story. No one really knows what that is like because this kind of experience doesn't happen everyday.

Mia doesn't have much to live for. She lost her whole family in one swipe. The only thing she has left is her boyfriend Adam, who wants nothing more then for her to stay. Adam and Mia have a charming high school love story, where to seemingly to opposite types of people find love over music. Music is another theme of this book, which I think is the gap that makes the book actually have something to work with. But, I digress... Mia has to make an almost impossible decision until she Adam finally gets to touch her and it all makes sense. 

Of course, I'm giving you the short version. There is so much back story intertwined in this book that reading it the second time it seems almost unnecessary. However, I started to think a little deeper about the need for the back story and I thought: Mia is between life and death, it's possible that in this state you reflect on some really significant or memorable times in your life. This makes the most sense to me. The back story gave me a great perspective on this family and you can't help but fall in love with the whole clan. 

"If I Stay," is one of those books that I will always recommend. Reading it a second time did open my eyes to a few things that warped my initial feelings toward the book. The font type makes the book a quick and easy read and you don't find out until the very last page the decision that Mia makes. Some things that I'm not so happy about is that you don't even get a hint or an idea of what happens after she makes her decision. It just ends abruptly. Also, you never truly find out what happened to Teddy. She just made a probably accurate, but non the less an assumption. No one even talks about the loss of her family. They are just keeping vigil waiting for her to wake up. I think there was a miss in this area. Overall,  this book makes the list and doesn't disappoint to charm all those who let it. 

REVIEW: "13 Reasons Why"- BY: Jay Asher

As I promised, here is another book review!

For "13 Reasons Why," I had fairly high expectations going into it. I had heard from a friend that it was so good and had always meant to borrow it, but never did. So when I got my new Nook from my boyfriend, I wanted to load it up with good books for myself and for the blog. One of the suggestions was this book and I felt why not!

To give a quick overview of this already popular book, it is about Hannah Baker,suicidal girl in high school who recorded and mailed out the tapes of her talking to each of the 13 people that caused her to get to this hopeless place. However, the narrator of this story, Clay Jensen, is one of those unfortunate souls that caused Hannah to kill herself. Clay had a crush on Hannah ever since she transferred to his school, but never had the courage to truly talk to her or start a relationship because of the unfortunate events that created Hannah's harsh reputation. Clay happened to be the ninth person on Hannah's list and he struggles with every story that passes and wishes he could have done so much more and realized that Hannah was so lost.
We follow Clay on the recorded journey that Hannah takes you with the map she left for those select few to follow to the places where these events happened.

My initial reactions to this book even from the very beginning was confused. I never got a good connection to this book. Maybe I am to blame for that one because my reading habits became a bit sporadic, but there was something almost too cliche that it made me build a wall from really sinking deep into the pages.
To be perfectly honest, I don't see the real hype for this book. I can definitely appreciate the messages behind the story and for that I think it is brilliant. It is a good lesson in learning that every decisions you make can effect someones life. It definitely made me more self aware.
However, I don't think the writing was all that fantastic. And maybe it is just me who feels that the writing style greatly affects my opinion of the book, but I definitely can see how this would affect my connection to this book.

I wouldn't say that this book was terrible by any means. I love the concept, even though it might be about something as morbid as suicide. But anything that can teach a lesson and make you think and intrigue you learn more about what is going on in someone's head who has decided to kill herself. I love reading about the inner workings and most personal thoughts in someones mind. That whole concept intrigued me from the very beginning but I just felt that the writing style throughout the book was very obvious and just not as deep as to what I expected.

Either way, I hear this book is going to be a movie and for that I think it is worth a read.
Let me know what you thought of this book or any other books you might want me to read next !

REVIEW: "To All The Boys I've Loved Before"- BY: Jenny Han

Hello everyone,

Here's another review for you, like I promised. 

I've heard a lot of good things about Jenny Han and I've also heard about her previous books being bestsellers and there was plenty of hype for "To All The Boys I've Loved Before," so it's safe to say that I had decently high expectations...

So, I'd like to say this book was amazing, that it was everything I wanted and more... but unfortunately this is not the case. This book lacks something so trivial and fundamental to any book out there.. an ENDING. 

Nothing and I mean nothing in this world annoys me more than a disappointing book. I just wasted "X" amount of  days or weeks on a book that should be able to a least leave me somewhat satisfied but this book was so pointless I wanted to throw my Nook out the window. 

Now, I can't say the book was entirely bad. It had a slow start and I was trying to give the book the benefit of the doubt through all the cliches and underdeveloped characters. The writing was so elementary that I was wondering if the author had someone else write her other books. Anyways, you have to get through the muddy beginning to get to what you probably truly wanted to get to when reading a YA novel...

Three sisters: Margot, Lara Jean and Kitty are close as sisters can be since their mom died a few years back. Margot took on the mother role and is now going off to college leaving Lara Jean to take over. Kitty was too young to remember their mother so the sisters try to be there for her as much as they can.. To be honest Kitty was the most delightful of all the characters, however maybe too mature for a supposed nine year old. 

Josh, their neighbor and Margot's boyfriend, is heartbroken when Margot breaks up with him before going off to Scotland to go to college. However, Lara Jean has liked Josh for some time and tries to be there for him when Margot leaves. 

However, this is where it gets tricky. Lara Jean has written love letters to every boy she has liked or loved as goodbye letters when she knew it was not meant to be. She stored them in a hat box but then one day the letters were "mysteriously" sent out to all the boys, (Josh and Peter) which leaves Lara Jean traumatized and devises this plan with an old friend Peter to pretend to be bf/gf to keep Josh away and also get back at Peter's ex girlfriend, and Lara Jeans former friend Genevieve.

Are you confused yet? There is a constant struggle to understand who Lara Jean really likes, Josh or Peter. Where the story really picks up is when Peter, the supposed "ladies man," starts to actually fall for Lara Jean when that was against the "contract" of their relationship. I was so into the Peter and Lara Jean relationship aspect that it was actually changing my mind about the book. However, when Josh kissed Lara Jean and Margot find outs and LJ pushes Peter away, all hell breaks loose and then nothing is ever the same... nothing. The book literally ends with Lara Jean making up with Margot and Josh but the whole Peter relationship just goes unresolved even though Lara Jean really wants to be with him. It was just left to the imagination. 

I know this might sound a bit rambled, but I needed to delve more into this story for everyone to understand just how unappealing this book really is. It hurts me to have to write such a negative review but the book has no real conclusive ending and that is just not acceptable to me. I'm not entirely discouraging anyone from reading it, I'm just warning you that you will probably want to scream into a pillow when it's over. You have been warned.

Happy One Year Book Bound !

Hey!

I know I'm a little late, and the official blog anniversary was May 31st, I still wanted to make a special post about this special milestone. One year of blogging is something that I am truly proud of. It means a lot if you, right there at your computer who probably has a million things to do, is reading this post. I appreciate even a second of your time. As I've said before, starting this blog hasn't always been easy but it's pretty much my favorite thing I have ever done. It makes me happy to do something that I love and that is all I've ever wanted. I might not be blog famous but somewhere out there, who ever you are, is reading this and enjoying my blog. Thanks to any who has reached out or commented in any way. Please, feel free to tell your friends and family about the blog, because I promise that I want to make this blog something great.

Starting a successful blog has been a dream of mine for so long, and just writing this means I'm participating in my dreams. A year ago I started to make my dreams happen and everyday I think I'm getting a little bit closer. 

Before I end the post, I wanted to give a brief update on everything that is going on behind the scenes. Currently, I'm reading "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" By Jenny Han. I've heard some great things about this new release and I'm already forming my own opinions on the book. Also for my birthday, I received a new Nook from my boyfriend. (He's the best). So I've been buying new books and I have a few more books in the wing just waiting to be red and reviewed so keep your eyes on the blog because there is going to be plenty to read and interact with. 

So that's all folks ! Thanks so much and always stay book bound! 

Ciao,

Cheryl