Water for Elephants

Title: Water for Elephants
Author: Sarah Gruen

Summary:
As a young man, Jacob Jankowski was tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. It was the early part of the great Depression, and for Jacob, now ninety, the circus world he remembers was both his salvation and a living hell. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was there that he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great gray hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and, ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.

My Thoughts:
Where do I begin with this book? Maybe by saying that it was absolutely incredible, and one of my new all time favorite books. Every element of this book meshed together in a way that was flawless; there was romance, humor, a convincing historical setting, and amazing, fleshed out characters.

I have never read one on Sarah Gruen's books before, and I'll admit I probably would not have picked it up if it weren't for hearing about the movie adaptation that was coming out, but being a firm believer in book over movie, I had to check it out.

Something I noticed right away while reading this book, was the fact that Sara Gruen has a way of writing that is captivating. Almost immediately I was drawn into the depression era where Jacob's world and the Benzini Brothers' second rate circus exists. Throughout the novel I felt like I was right there with Jacob, experiencing every emotion and heart racing situation, which is really what I think made the novel as great as it is.

Water for Elephants will definitely be staying on my bookshelf to be revisited over and over. Do yourself a favor and add this to your reading list!

If I Stay

Title: If I Stay

Author: Gayle Forman

Summary:
In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeen year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces- to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make. Heartwrenchingly beautiful, Mia's story will stay with you for a long, long time.

My Thoughts:
I originally saw this book on a the shelf months ago, but held off on buying it because I was waiting for it to go on paperback, but I'm so glad I revisited it. This was a very moving, very emotional read for me, because I really felt one with the main character Mia, whose world was turned upside down in an instant.

Mia is a gifted, Juilliard bound cellist, who has a boyfriend, and a loving, quirky family. Mia still has to figure out how her and her boyfriend Adam's, a punk-rock musician, relationship could last on opposite coasts, but her life is pretty fantastic, that is until tragedy strikes.

Mia has an out-of-body experience, that allows her to choose if she should stay alive knowing her life will be entirely different than how she left it when she wakes up.

I thought this was a really interesting book that makes you question what you would do in Mia's situation. I definitely recommend reading this one!

Amy & Rodger's Epic Detour

Title: Amy & Rodger's Epic Detour
Author: Morgan Matson

Summary:

Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew--just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn’t seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she’s coming to terms with her father’s death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road--diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards--this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself.

My Thoughts:

Although this book was well written, it didn't resonate with me as much as some of my other reads have. It was a good, fun read, but it wasn't  all that memorable. The characters didn't develop much throughout the book, and did nothing more than meet my expectations by filling their role in a pretty predictable story. I would buy this book only if you are looking for a quick easy read.

On DVD Week of March 12th

On DVD is a post I've created to let you know about movies coming to DVD this week that I've enjoyed and I think you will too. For the week of March 12th, I will be featuring Country Strong, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Country Strong

Summary:
A drama centered on a rising country-music songwriter (Hedlund) who sparks with a fallen star (Paltrow). Together, they mount his ascent and her comeback, which leads to romantic complications involving her husband/manager (McGraw) and a beauty queen-turned-singer (Meester).

My Thoughts:

I may have been in the minority on this one, but I thought this movie was fantastic. I'll admit I may be a bit biased since I am a country music fan, but I believe this movie has a strong enough story line to entertain those who aren't fans of country music as well. Not only does this movie have a strong story, that breaks away from the predictable plot it easily could've used, but it also features a fabulous soundtrack that contains both original music and covers of country favorites. If you have not already seen this movie in theaters do yourself a favor and at least  rent it!





Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Summary:
As Harry races against time and evil to destroy the Horcruxes, he uncovers the existence of three most powerful objects in the wizarding world: the Deathly Hallows.

My Thoughts:
Deathly Hallows is based upon the seventh book in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, and part one of the final installment of the movie franchise. With Harry Potter I believe people fall into more or less two categories; you either love it, or you couldn't care less. Being an avid reader I most definitely fall into the first category, although I do believe the movies, and this one in particular can be enjoyed by a wide audience. By now Harry and his friends have come a long way since they're initial arrival at Hogwarts. This film, while significantly darker than the others, finds a happy balance with terrific acting, and bit of humor amidst all the action and suspense, that keeps you entertained from the time the movie starts up until the credits roll.

Geek Girl

Title: Geek Girl
Author: Cindy C. Bennett

Summary:
"Think I can turn that boy bad?"

High school junior Jen inadvertantly turns her life upside down when, out of boredom, she makes a bet that she can turn school geek Trevor into a someone bad - someone like her. His complete opposite in every way, the sarcastic goth-girl tries pulling him into her world of partying. Instead she finds herself sucked into Trevor's world of sci-fi movies, charity work and even - ugh! - bowling.

If that weren't bad enough, she desperately wants to become a permanent part of the foster family she currently lives with, even if it means having a cheerleader for a sister. What's up with that?

But Jen must come to terms with her past, including her now-dead abusive father and her imprisoned mother. Jen's journey will lead her to discover the true meaning of friendship, family, forgiveness, and above all, love.

My Thoughts:
I'll admit, I was a bit skeptical of this book when I first read the summary of a goth girl going playing a bet to turn a geek guy bad. I was also hesitant because of the lack of reviews or ratings available for this book.That being said I ended up forgoing my usually over analytical ways and just bought the books since I really enjoyed Bennett's other book Heart on a Chain (mentioned in my previous review). 

While this book is primarily a love story, it foregoes the predictable teen romance for a story with depth. I turned page after page laughing, tearing up, and ultimately falling in love with the characters of Bennett's incredible book about a girl who turns her life around on whim. 

Bottom line: add this to your reading list, you won't regret it! 

Heart On A Chain

Title: Heart On A Chain
Author: Cindy C. Bennett


Summary:

17-year-old Kate has lived her whole life in abject poverty, with an alcoholic father and drug-addicted mother, who severely abuses Kate. At school, her second-hand clothing marks her as a target. Her refusal to stand up for herself makes her the recipient of her classmates taunts and bullying. That is, until Henry returns. 

Henry Jamison moved away six years earlier, just as he and Kate had begun an to develop feelings for one another. He returns to find the bright, funny, outgoing girl he had known now timidly hiding in corners, barely speaking to anyone around her, suspicious of even him. 

Kate can’t figure out what game Henry is playing with her - for surely it is a game. What else would the gorgeous, popular boy from her past want with her? 

Kate finally decides to trust Henry’s intentions, opening her heart to him. Just when it seems he might be genuine in his friendship, tragedy strikes, threatening everything Kate has worked so hard to gain. Can Henry help her to overcome this new devastation, or will it tear them apart forever?

My Thoughts:

I literally just finished this book about an hour ago, and I can say without hesitation that it is one of the best books I have ever read. It is one of those things that make you sit back and think about life, reconsider what you know, and evaluate who you want to become. I realize that that is an incredibly loaded statement, but aside from being a book that was enjoyable, it was a book that had the ability to make me feel. I smiled, I laughed, and I teared up while reading this book.

I will give a fair warning that this story is quite a diversion from the paranormal romance/ fantasy books I usually post about. Granted this book is fiction, but it touches on some emotional topics. It has some violence and down right cruel people in it, something that made me cringe, but at the same time I couldn't turn away from because I genuinely cared about Kate and wanted to know how her story would end.

I just can't say enough good things about this book. Oh, and did I mention I finished it in less than a day between doing school work and stuff around the house? Yeah, it's that good!

Definitely add this to your reading list!

I Am Number Four

Title: I Am Number Four
Author:Pittacus Lore

Summary:

We may be walking past you right now.

We are watching as you read this.

We may be in your city, your town.

We are living anonymously.

We are waiting for the day when

We will find each other.

We will make our last stand together—if

We win,

We are saved, and

You are saved as well.

If we lose, all is lost.

My Thoughts:

I realize that the above summary is a bit vague (it is the one on the book jacket, I promise), so I will give you a bit more insight into the plot. There were originally nine aliens that escaped from the planet Lorien to Earth when their planet was under attack. A curse was placed over these nine in order to protect them since they continue to be hunted by the same group that attacked and destroyed their home planet; they can now only be hunted in order. The first three are dead, and Number Four (our main character) is next, and that is really where our story begins.

Personally I love love LOVED this book. I know that sound a bit extreme, but it is now one of my new favorite book, one I might add that I've recently been forcing my friends (including Katie) to read.

This book had a bit of everything; action, adventure, humor, and romance. The writing style was more simplistic in my opinion, but the story was still told in a way that constantly had glued to this book. The main character Number Four, or John Smith as he goes by was a genuinely like-able character that I never felt annoyed with.

I did read some mixed reviews on Barns & Nobel's website, but I highly recommend that you at least pick up the book and flip through a few pages!

Happy Reading!

Timeless

Title: Timeless
Author: Alexandra Monir

Summary:

When tragedy strikes Michele Windsor’s world, she is forced to uproot her life and move across the country to New York City, to live with the wealthy, aristocratic grandparents she’s never met. In their old Fifth Avenue mansion filled with a century’s worth of family secrets, Michele discovers a diary that hurtles her back in time to the year 1910. There, in the midst of the glamorous Gilded Age, Michele meets the young man with striking blue eyes who has haunted her dreams all her life – a man she always wished was real, but never imagined could actually exist.And she finds herself falling for him, into an otherworldly, time-crossed romance.
 
Michele is soon leading a double life, struggling to balance her contemporary high school world with her escapes into the past. But when she stumbles upon a terrible discovery, she is propelled on a race through history to save the boy she loves – a quest that will determine the fate of both of their lives.


My Thoughts: 
 I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be an interesting take on an almost impossible love  story centered around Michele Windsor who lives in the present and Philip of 20th century New York. While I'm aware that time-travel isn't exactly a new concept, I really believe it was what made this book great. Alexandra Monir really did her homework on life in old New York, creating a convincing setting with the details she described.


The writing of this novel wasn't without flaw, but I will give that a pass because the story was still told and it was fantastic, illustrating a beautiful story of love conquering all boundaries, including time. 

The Dark Divine

Title: The Dark Divine

Author:  Bree Despain 

Summary:

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared--the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in blood--but she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night held.

The memories her family has tried to bury resurface when Daniel returns, three years later, and enrolls in Grace and Jude's high school. Despite promising Jude she'll stay away, Grace cannot deny her attraction to Daniel's shocking artistic abilities, his way of getting her to look at the world from new angles, and the strange, hungry, glint in his eyes.

The closer Grace gets to Daniel, the more she jeopardizes her life, as her actions stir resentment in Jude and drive him to embrace the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind the boys' dark secret...and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it--her soul.

My Thoughts:

 The beginning of this book took a few chapters to really draw me in, but after that I was thoroughly intrigued. Once I was about half way in I literally could not put this book down, and when I had to so I could go to work or do something else I found myself thinking about the characters and how everything would pan out.

This novel was very descriptive, and definitely had an element of mysteriousness about it, which I really appreciated. The characters were also well developed as was the plot, although there are still lingering questions at the end of this book, but I suppose that is just to make you all the more anxious to pick up the next book, which is on sale now.

If you have not yet read this book, I highly recommend that you do!

Prom & Prejudice

Title: Prom & Prejudice 
Author: Elizabeth Eulberg

Summary:

After winter break, the girls at the very prestigious Longbourn Academy become obsessed with the prom. Lizzie Bennet, who attends Longbourn on a scholarship, isn’t interested in designer dresses and expensive shoes, but her best friend, Jane, might be — especially now that Charles Bingley is back from a semester in London.

Lizzie is happy about her friend’s burgeoning romance but less than impressed by Charles’s friend, Will Darcy, who’s snobby and pretentious. Darcy doesn’t seem to like Lizzie either, but she assumes it’s because her family doesn’t have money. Clearly, Will Darcy is a pompous jerk — so why does Lizzie find herself drawn to him anyway?

Will Lizzie’s pride and Will’s prejudice keep them apart? Or are they a prom couple in the making? Whatever the result, Elizabeth Eulberg, author of The Lonely Hearts Club, has concocted a very funny, completely stylish delight for any season — prom or otherwise.

My Thoughts:

Basically Prom & Prejudice is a loose, modern retelling of the classic novel Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen, which is centered around Elizabeth Bennet, a talented pianist on scholarship at Longbourn Academy, and Will Darcy, a stuck up Pemberley student absorbed in the politics of social standing. 

Although I may be a bit biased considering I adore the original version of this book, I can easily say that I LOVED THIS BOOK!  The writing although a bit too simple at times for my taste, was enjoyable and the plot flowed smoothly, incorporating key scenes of the original novel with unexpected modern twists. That being said this was definitely a quick, rainy-day sort of read, so unless you have an e-reader device, you may want to hold off on picking up a copy until it goes to paperback. 

Unearthly

Title: Unearthly
Author: Cynthia Hand 


Summary:

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

My Thoughts:

Okay so I should begin by admitting that I am easily enticed by a pretty cover of a book or an interesting title. While browsing through my local book store last week I saw a display filled with pretty shiny purple books with a conflicted looking girl on the cover. Needless to say I became interested and had to further inspect. Even more exciting? On the cover there was a review from Richelle Mead, author of the Vampire Academy series! :D I was SOLD! 

Now, on to the book....

This book really surpassed my expectations, which were already pretty high to begin with(awesome cover, remember?), by taking a creative approach to the angel themed story that seems to have become very popular recently.

I will admit that this story took a few chapters in the beginning to really take off, but after that I was hooked.

Cynthia Hand's writing had me flipping page after page, trying to solve the mystery of Clara's purpose, which she as well as readers, get in pieces through visions she receives throughout the novel. The characters in this story are well rounded, and developed. And the plot blew me away! Not only was it interesting, but it also had me second guessing how it would end right up to the last few pages (something that doesn't happen too often for me).

Definitely go pick up a copy!

First Post!

Hello & welcome to my blog! (: My name is Kelsey, and I'm completely in love with stories wether it be in book, movie, or music format, which is why I made this blog. I have some experience blogging with my friend Katie at her blog Confessions of a Bookaholic, where I contributed reviews of books I have read. I decided to create my own, so I wouldn't clutter up Katie's blog with posts that are unrelated the rest of hers.

I'm going to start my blog with some old reviews that I had on Katie's before I begin writing up reviews for my most recent reads.

Please follow! (:

-Kelsey