I'm Still Here!

Any of you who visit my blog can clearly see that I haven't posted anything in quite some time. Don't worry, I'm not giving up! I've been busy reading some pretty good books, and cannot wait to share them with you. The first review you can expect (probably) will be Mockingjay. I've had a hard time writing this review and have just decided to leave it as it is and post it! So look forward to that piece soon.

While you're waiting, check out this fun little video,

The Joy of Books.

Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking The Spine, to show readers what we are anxiously waiting for!

Where We Belong by Emily Giffin 

will be released July 24th, 2012 by St. Martin's Press

Marian Caldwell is a thirty-six year old television producer, living her dream in New York City. With a fulfilling career and satisfying relationship, she has convinced everyone, including herself, that her life is just as she wants it to be. But one night, Marian answers a knock on the door . . . only to find Kirby Rose, an eighteen-year-old girl with a key to a past that Marian thought she had sealed off forever. From the moment Kirby appears on her doorstep, Marian’s perfectly constructed world—and her very identity—will be shaken to its core, resurrecting ghosts and memories of a passionate young love affair that threaten everything that has come to define her.
For the precocious and determined Kirby, the encounter will spur a process of discovery that ushers her across the threshold of adulthood, forcing her to re-evaluate her family and future in a wise and bittersweet light. As the two women embark on a journey to find the one thing missing in their lives, each will come to recognize that where we belong is often where we least expect to find ourselves—a place that we may have willed ourselves to forget, but that the heart remembers forever.

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I've read each and every one of Giffin's books. They're just great chic-lit and the perfect summer read and this one will be no exception!

Book Review: The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publish Date: July 1st 2010
ISBN: 978-0-446-61832-8
Pages: 400
Series: None
Source: Bought


Goodreads Synopsis:
When U.S. Marine Logan Thibault finds a photograph of a smiling young woman half-buried in the dirt during his third tour of duty in Iraq, his first instinct is to toss it aside. Instead, he brings it back to the base for someone to claim, but when no one does, he finds himself always carrying the photo in his pocket. Soon Thibault experiences a sudden streak of luck—winning poker games and even surviving deadly combat that kills two of his closest buddies. Only his best friend, Victor, seems to have an explanation for his good fortune: the photograph—his lucky charm.
Back home in Colorado, Thibault can’t seem to get the photo—and the woman in it—out of his mind. Believing that she somehow holds the key to his destiny, he sets out on a journey across the country to find her, never expecting the strong but vulnerable woman he encounters in Hampton, North Carolina—Elizabeth, a divorced mother with a young son—to be the girl he’s been waiting his whole life to meet. Caught off guard by the attraction he feels, Thibault keeps the story of the photo, and his luck, a secret. As he and Elizabeth embark upon a passionate and all-consuming love affair, the secret he is keeping will soon threaten to tear them apart—destroying not only their love, but also their lives.
Filled with tender romance and terrific suspense, The Lucky One is Nicholas Sparks at his best—an unforgettable story about the surprising paths our lives often take and the power of fate to guide us to true and everlasting love. 


My Review:
This book is about a young Marine who finds a picture of a young lady while in Iraq. He picks up the photo putting it on a bulletin board in hopes that the owner will find it. Days later, it's still there so he takes it, feeling drawn towards it for some reason. This young man, Logan, keeps the photo safe in his pocket and is later told how it is obviously a lucky charm for him because he has been saved many times when other comrades haven't been so lucky. Logan, being single without kids finishes his time and sets off to find this woman in the picture with his trusty companion, Zeus a german shepard. Logan walks half way around the country to find this woman whom he feels he owes something to. And whom Victor, Logan's best friend says it's his destiny to find this woman.
Logan is this strong, caring, mysterious guy who is willing to work for almost nothing, as we see throughout the book. He has been through so much in his short life and has no one to confide in, so of course he is drawn into the family life of Beth, her son Ben and Nana. It's not surprising then when Logan doesn't admit why he's there in the first place, and slowly begins to fall in love. Beth is a perfect match for Logan, I feel. For all she has done to protect her family, Logan is the best thing to come along and make her feel special again. Ben is a great and crucial addition to the story too, but apart from Logan, Zeus has to be my favourite. He is such a loyal dog and is by Logan's side the whole time. All these characters fit right into the setting of a little southern town. And with the narrative being different, switching between Beth, Logan and Clayton, the ex-husband, we are continuously engaged in the story. 
Nicholas Sparks is a unique author. Not in the sense that his stories are unique, (because they are all in the end so similar to the last) but his ability to tell the story is unique and makes us all fall back into reading another one of his stories.
I'll be honest here, the reason I read this book was because of the movie. I hadn't read a Sparks book in quite some time and happened to see a movie (Titanic 3D to be exact) and saw the movie trailer for The Lucky One, and I'm not going to lie, it was kind of this scene here that made me want to get all over him, err, I mean all over the book.

But seriously, the book is so intense and well written that I was glad to read it. If your looking for that romantic love story, with the added suspense (the last chapter and the epilogue will have you racing through the pages!) or just need a great, quick and easy read, try The Lucky One.


(The movie is also really good!)

Book Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Publish Date: September 1st, 2009
Publisher: Scholastic Press
ISBN: 978-0-439-02349-8
Pages: 391
Series: The Hunger Games, #2
Source: Bought

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sparks are igniting, flames are spreading and the Capitol wants revenge.

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol-- a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.
Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.
In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before... and surprising readers at every turn.

My Review:
In Catching Fire, we continue the journey of Katniss and Peeta. They've made it out of the arena, were crowned the victors and are doing their "Victory Tour", in which they travel through the districts and promote themselves and the Hunger Games. But this isn't as easy as it should be as districts start to act out rebeliously against the Capitol and President Snow is furious because of this.
Book 2 started off a bit slower than I was hoping for but it soon picked up its intensity and continued until the end. I wasn't really sure where the story was going to be honest, and then it was like bam! we're hit with yet again something extraordinary.
Once Katniss and Peeta get to return home, things aren't what they used to be. Gale is at a distance with Katniss, thanks to the whole "star-crossed lovers" act with Peeta. I for one have been Team Gale since the start of The Hunger Games, I truly believe that Gale is the better choice between the two men. It was sad seeing Gale eventually put on the back burner. Peeta is also a bit put off because of Katniss admitting that she wasn't completely honest about her feelings toward him. But with all that Katniss has been through and is going through with President Snow's threat, it's understandable that she is confused about everything. But her strength and independence and compassion (when she wants) is really amazing. She truly is one of the strongest female characters out there.
I'd hate to give anything away for those who haven't read the books, so I wont go into detail about everything, but I will say that we meet some new characters. Characters like Finnick, Mags, Beetee and Wiress who all play a crucial role in the series. We're also reunited with some of the characters from book 1.
Collins is still able to paint a clear picture in my head and create a story that just blows everything else out of the water. There is so much detail and power behind the writing. And the cliffhanger she leaves us with? Seriously?! I couldn't even believe it.
If you haven't already read this series, I suggest you do, and do it now! I know you wont be disaapointed!

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking The Spine, to show readers what we are anxiously waiting for!

[No Picture Yet]

Sever (The Chemical Garden, book #3)!! is set to be released April 1st, 2012 by the one and only Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

We don't have a picture or a synopsis yet since the title of the book was only released yesterday, but let me tell you how excited I am to see how things get wrapped up! I cannot wait to read the end of Rhine's journey.

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is thanks to The Broke & The Bookish

This weeks top 10 -  Top Ten Books I'd Like To See Made Into a Movie

Seriosuly, each book that I read and really enjoy, at one point I say they should make it a movie. I want the characters to come to life and be on the big screen. Though not always is it a good thing and sometimes the movies aren't worth it at all. So I picked a few of my favourite ones, and a few that I cannot wait until they do hit the big screen.

In no particular order:

1. Divergent by Veronica Roth - though they would need a HUGE budget to make this movie as good and wonderful as the book

2. Wither by Lauren DeStefano - this would be interesting to watch instead of read

3. The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks - I love Nicholas Sparks movies and this is my fave book of his

4. Across The Universe by Beth Revis - again, there would be budget issues I'd imagine

5. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - Noah Shaw!

6. The Near Witch - this would make one of those eerie kind of movies we all love to watch

7. Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel - human interaction with zombies who don't want to eat her brains? Yes please!

8. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - for obvious reasons!

9. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - again, obviously

(I know, there's only 9 there....had to leave my options open!)

What made your list?