Carrie Diaries

Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell was entertaining and the plot was a little typical. The only thing that made me want to read the books were Carrie Bradshaw. She was a girl with a mind of her own. She wasn't a man's woman, she's a woman (well a girl since she's a teenager). A girl with a mind of her own. A girl who won't succumb to a sleazy guy like Sebastian. Yes, Sebastian was all about making out with different girls. A guy who is not worth any girls time, but Carrie liked him. She liked him a lot. She liked him enough to see him after she found her best friend was making out with him. She liked him enough to tell him she's leaving for New York. Now these were some of the reasons why I kept reading this book.

The story does come across as a little typical. But the different spices of characters in the story makes you want to keep reading. The author did have her readers trapped in her web of character. The plot also wasn't too boring either because the emotional response from us, as readers, was 'Carrie, dump the bastard' but its not like Carrie's going to listen to us. In other words, somewhere inside I was involved in the story too. I think that Candace Bushnell has a well-written story with a whole spice rack of characters with just one bad tasting spice that is kind of ruining every other spice, and somewhere in the spice rack is a spice that has the guts to stick up for herself and say 'hey, I can find a better guy than that sleazy spice.'

I would recommend reading this book because you just don't want to miss what dish this spice rack can whip up.

Blue Moon by Alyson Noel

Some things about certain people just don't change. It doesn't matter no many how many times life might have tried to teach them a lesson, but they don't learn. Ever is one of those people who just never learns and continues to make poor decisions.

But I wonder...

Is this a technique that the author employs to capture her readers attention? I wonder if Ever being so annoying is what keeps us interested? I mean what if Ever did everything we wanted her to do, then what? Would we want to read the books? Probably for some and probably not others.

My opinion is that if Ever did what I expected her to do, then it would have been boring. I think that the way Ever is is what keeps me interested.

The characterization in Blue Moon is quite strong. Ever definitely does have a distinctive voice. She is definitely annoying and a poor decision maker, but it is what drives the story. The plot is also starting to thicken too. With Damen in so much pain, Ever is the left to fight the battle alone.

This book is starting to become interesting. Now that the curse is in place and Ever can't touch Damen. I have to wait and see what happens in the third book whether Damen will find out or not. I mean I'm sure Damen will definitely will find out, but don't know when.

I would recommend this book. It may annoy you and who knows you might like the story. I can't say I don't like the story because I want to know what bad decisions Ever will make that will possibly jeopardize her future and possibly her future with Damen. I won't say I am absolutely crazy about the book because I'm not, but I'm interested in seeing what happens next.

It would be nice to hear what you all have to say about Blue Moon by Alyson Noel, so please leave me any comments you want below.

As the Sparks Fly Upward

I didn't think I would enjoy this book but I did. Once I started to read it, I got real engrossed into the novel with Colin and Adam, mostly Colin.

Its a real straight forward story with Colin being the odd duckling out, and Adam being the son with all the attention and strength, but as both grow up Colin finds his own place by being a Physician and Adam being a Seahawk along side Sir Francis Drake. Then Colin meets Heather and his whole life changes, but Heather's scorn leaves a scar inside his heart and Twyla's love for him cures it.

Christianity played a huge role in this story with being saved and inviting Jesus into Colin's life. I don't mind it at all, but I have been reading books on how being a Christian means you are saved and I'm not against Christianity or anything but it's kind of getting irritating. I'm not religious, but I won't I don't care I do. It's just that this is a little annoying with one theme playing in all the books I have read thus far.

I couldn't possibly begin to say what I like about this book. I read it in two days and every single time I just wanted to know what happened next in Colin's life or know if Colin will see that Twyla loves him. This story really grabs your attention and keeps you glued to the story. The pace is good so that's why the reader never gets bored even though its an ordinary story. Gilbert Morris, the author, does a good job in telling this story. One interesting thing about this story is that Colin and Twyla name their second child Gilbert and says, "...I have a feeling this one will be the best of all the House of Winslow." Interesting humor that is laugh worthy Mr. Gilbert Morris finishes the story with by bringing his text back to a full circle using his name. Great read and recommended for anyone interested in the late 1500s with Queen Elizabeth and Sir Francis Drake.

Just Ask

Kim No. 1 - Just Ask by Melody Carlson is written in a diary format that follows the life of an asian, Korean heritage, girl raised by American parents and daily happenings in her life.

I cried a little bit at the end of this book. Just after everything was going good. The end leaves the reader teary eyed. I won't say what it is since it would ruin the book, but its not anything to hide I just don't want to say what it is because the effect of the surprise would wear off.

I read this book before but didn't get into it then until now. Today I enjoyed this book to the end and loved reading and seeing the world through Kim's eyes. This book really lets us get inside Kim's head and everything that she thinks. I'm sure some of us have questioned the same thing Kim has and have experienced the same thing Kim has. Maybe not in the same sense, but close to it. The reality of the story and getting inside Kim's head is what glued my attention to the story.

I probably wasn't too happy with her telling her readers leave it up to God since not everyone believes in the same thing and same person as she does. I certainly didn't mind her being so Christian and telling people to leave it up to God, but I'm not Christian and I don't know how others would take such advice, but thats just me.

All in all, the experience of seeing the world through Kim Peterson, a columnist, eyes was a positive experience and I respect her for her faith and her devotion to her family and friends. I give this book 5 stars and recommend everyone to read this one because sometimes we don't have to-just ask- to pick up a book that might make a difference in our lives like it did to mine (a little).

White Lies and Barefaced Truths

Finished this book in 3 hours. It was short and sweet. There was never a boring moment in this book. When you read the first chapter of this book, you immediately think 'typical.' While that may be true, but if you keep reading further, you will automatically notice that this book is not your typical book. What sets this book apart is the main character. Cat is sincere and caring. She puts everyone else first than herself. Her caring nature and how her fourteen year old self handled the boy situation really made me read further. It was Catherine's, aka Cat, personality that made me want to find out what  happens next.

This book is great if you want a relaxing and quick read in the evening. It's short and gets to the point. You also are exposed to many different types of characters in this story and many different emotions. It's not an emotional coaster ride, but a fun and enjoyable ride. The author, Cathy Hopkins, will make you question yourself which is better, lying or telling the truth. Each one has its repercussions and each one can lead to a path of disaster. In the end, it's up to you to decide whether honesty is the best or not hurting someone's feelings and losing a friendship, if the truth can lead to that.

I recommend reading this book because this can happen to anyone, even you. And who know where White Lies and Barefaced Truths will lead you.

Imagine-Lis

Our imagination and beliefs give us the power that nothing else can give us. We have the power to change whatever we desire. All it takes is a little imagination and the willpower to make that change and you have a power that surpasses all.

Imaginalis by J.M. Matteis brings us a story about a girl named Mehera who believed in the Imaginalis story with all her heart that it allowed her to enter the world of Imaginalis. She meets all her favorite characters and also the great author who wrote the book, but there is someone who wants to steal her belief and destroy Imaginalis. It is now up to Mehera to save Imaginalis and the belief that keeps Imaginalis and the characters alive.

I loved Mehera's character because no matter what comes in her way, her faith in Imaginalis stayed strong. Nothing stopped her from loving it so much. She also has a lot of strength and courage. It's no wonder that Prince Imagos loves her. The plot in this story was also fabulous because woven inside this story is another story, so we experience two stories and a possible look inside the Imaginalis books that do not exist in our world. I also loved all the quotes in the story too. The quotes, in this book, bring the whole story together. I also believe that everyone's life is an adventure and that some just happen to make it inside the pages of a book. It's a great belief to harbor in our hearts, and also another great belief is BELIEVING and HAVING FAITH. Those two are also great mottoes to live by.

J.M. Matteis brings us a story that is full of imagination and adventure that will leave us wanting to build The Unbelievable Bridge and cross it just like Mehera did.

The Lonely Hearts Club

Lonely Hearts Club is a must read for those people whose hearts have been broken.
From the beginning, I love Penny's attitude. I love how she can get over guys and move on with her life. I love how she can be herself and still be and act normal after her heartbreak. Penny sets a good example for girls. She teaches us not to mope around over guys who are not worth it. She teaches us to move on and get over him through forging friendships because there are plenty of good guys in this world.
Penny's character is all original and unique. How many girls make a club out of their heart being broken? I don't know any girl who has done this exact thing. Most girls just get over guys knowing she can find someone better, or they get over the guy by the help of their friends. Penny stays strong and true to her beliefs throughout the novel. She never wavers nor does she disappoint the members in the novel. Penny's personality is what most girls dream of. Strong, confident, loyal, and funny. She is the kind of friend we all want.
Time comes in our lives when we can't sit back and take things. We have to make a stand whether our Principal or other males like it or not. We even have to make a stand to those girls who enjoy laughing and mocking other girls who they think are on a lower level than them. Penny did just that and led the way for many girls. She stood up for what she thought was right and helped many girls in the story. Many girls in the story found real love and made many friends through The Lonely Hearts Club. Penny is one the reasons I stayed glued to the pages of this book.
I think that Penny's ability and desire to forge friendships and help others is awesome. She sends a good message. Be yourself. You don't have to be this magazine perfect girl to score a great guy. And to not let any guy get in the way of their happiness because we all worth every bit of happiness we aim for and achieve.
This is one club we all need to make a stop at.