The Maze Runner by James Dashner

I've just finished this book.  A great pick up from the Library and before the letters had disappeared from in front of my eyes I have placed a hold on the next in the series The Scorch Trials.  For books that I love I like to go back and read other people's reviews to see if they felt the same as I did about a book... and no they didn't.  It is within me to understand that we all have certain expectations of the books that we read but I didn't see what other reviewers saw in this book and at no stage does it make me doubt myself.  That said... I LOVED IT!!  I got sucked in and was dragged along with Thomas (main character).  I wanted to know everything, I wanted to question everything and I wasn't liking the fact that my questions weren't answered to my satisfaction.  I was Thomas!  Thomas arrives in a 'black box', I am assuming a elevator type machine, to a 'village' that has only boys.  None of the boys in the Glade have any memories of life before except when some experience 'The Change'. They have developed a society that has to survive against the 'Grievers' and there are many unknown variables that they work around.  I know it all sounds very mysterious and it is.  There are so many things going on that you could become lost but there are several very well hidden hints and clues in the book that keep you turning the pages in the hope that things become clearer.  The main focus of this 'tribe' is to navigate a maze of which they all live at the center of.  Their whole purpose is to escape the maze and the tribe have designated 'Runners' who daily go out to plot the map looking for a way out.  Thomas questions everything but nobody really wants to tell him the truth, they are all very secretive, but their order is destroyed when the next day a girl is sent up in the black box.
I could keep going but I don't want to spoil it for you.  Take a chance, pick it up and have a read.  I'm going to give it 4.5 stars out of 5.  It was W.I.C.K.E.D.

Once a week????

It doesn't seem that hard to want to read at least one book a week and write a review about it.  It's not like I don't read at least 1 book (more than likely more than 1) a week, but not every book I read is a good book.  I like books that stand out a little bit.  I also like 'fluff' books.  Girl meets boy, marries someone else, husband dies, meets boy again, fall in love and have children.  I LIKE those books, not all the time, but just to give myself a little rest from the deep, dark secrets of the vampire, were, witch worlds, from the workings of seemingly mature teens, and from dystopian novels which give a very scary and somewhat prophetic glimpse into the future or what COULD be!!!!!  Everyone needs a little fluff :)  There is potential in the book that I am reading now, so hopefully soon there will be another review, but in the mean time... I might catch up on a little bit of fluff!

When she woke by Hillary Jordan

I am a blog stalker.  I feed off other's suggestions, but don't we all????  I sneak in at night, check out all the new releases and the older releases, hoping to snag myself something original to read.  I am certainly in my element in this generation of book genre and even at my advanced age I am LOVING the YA collections.  In my day, Nancy Drew and the Famous Five and Mallory Towers were my heady escapism but now I get to relive some of my youth with the talented and varied writers of today.  I borrow most of my books from my trusty library.  I am a patient borrower.  If there is any book that I just can't wait for I'll go and buy it but I am a pick it up, read it, put it down and move on sort of gal.  I must be following the right kind of blogs but for the life of me I can't remember which fantastic, wonderful blogger suggested this book.  I do remember the line 'I couldn't put it down' though and whoever that person was.... she/he was right. I actually did put this book down because one has to sleep at some stage but it was hard.
I Loved this book because 'it's personal'. Such a strong character in Hannah Payne. She has hidden depths that through tragedy and love she discovers how strong she can be. In Hannah's world people that have committed crimes are forced to have their skin colour changed to reflect the severity of their crimes. Her 'crime' was forced by love and respect for her forbidden lover. She is made to follow a path not of her own making and in doing so discovers herself. It sounds deep and meaningful and it is. Do yourself a favour and pick this book as a must read in 2012.

2012 is a new year... and again, another effort to keep blogging

I have to try and do it again.  I get so many enjoyment (not to mention book titles) from the blogs that I read that I aspire to review some books, but I have to be realistic, I will try and do at least one book review a week, even if I read lots of books, kindle or real I will review one and try and be a better member of the blogs that I love!!  Wish me luck

The Age of the Kindle

Yes, I have one.  The Family got me one for Christmas.  I am a purist, I like the feel of paper between my fingers.  I like the way the pages get lighter on one side and heavier on the other as I work my way through a book.  I like the pretty colours, I like the smell and I love going into my local library and taking all those books off the shelf that have my name on a slip in them and then browsing the shelves because 11 holds might not be enough... but... I like the idea also of having a small, thin item in my handbag that I can pick up and read when I have a few spare minutes.  I like how the Kindle fits into my beach bag along with all the parephenalia essential for a day on the beach.  I like that it's a dedicated book reader because I would get too distracted if it had too many features.  I now have a policy.  I search for books on Amazon, I search my library web site and place holds on all the titles that they have that I want and if they don't I put them on my wishlist for future purchase from Amazon or I buy them at the bookshop.  And happily enough my library is winning at the moment.  Nothing can replace the physicallness of a book, the spines sitting on your bookcase, the beautiful covers, the line of a series as you buy each copy, but it would be silly of me not to embrace the benefits of a e-reader, so I've embraced and have been happily surprised and am still enjoying the experience. 

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean

I have to confess that my favourite reads are Romance.  They all follow the same formula.  Boy meets girl, they fall in love and usually get married.  Victorian Romance is also a favourite.  I've been reading so much YA fiction lately, I needed to pick up a good romance book and was not disappointed with this one.  It had me laughing, it had me crying (and I hate to cry), then laughing and crying all in the same breath.  And to say I was very surprised is an understatement.  This is the story of Lady Calpurnia Hartwell and Gabriel St. John, The Marquess of Ralston.  Lady Calpurnia or Callie as she is known to her nearest and dearest has admired the Marquess of Ralston, known as Gabriel from here on in from afar for the last decade.  She is now classed as a 'spinster' at the ripe old age of 28, and decides that she would like to experience some adventures which all seem to put her in the path of Gabriel.  Like most romances, they find themselves in compromising positions (in a public bar, a gentleman's club etc.) and Gabriel is both rescuing her and 'compromising' her at the same time.

The last paragraph does not really do justice to the book because I don't like giving out spoilers but Callie is a heroine to be greatly admired and Gabriel is a gorgeous man who does not quite understand or appreciate the gift he has in the love a good woman.  If you feel like a bit of light hearted reading, you're not scared of romance, enjoy well written sex (or love making) scenes with a happy ending, I recommend this book.  Everyone needs a reformed rake in their lives at some stage.

Darkness becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

I really liked this book. I had a limited time to read it but was hooked enough to sit in my car after work and finish it. Ari is searching for information about her mother and gets more than she bargained for. She finds herself following a lead to the place of her birth in New 2, a city that houses it's own weird and wonderful people with different powers. She meets Sebastian, Violet, Crank, Henri and Dub who all offer her friendship despite her strange looks. Sebastian has a strong impact on Ari and they are in the throes of developing their relationship. It did seem to develop quickly but I think it added to the storyline. The whole story seems to be a downhill slide with so many twists and turns... it is fantastic. Ari discovers more about her mother and the curse that supposedly caused the death of her mother. Add in some mythology and witches, warlocks, lost fathers, harpy's and a spider lady and it makes for a great story.  I loved Ari.  She is brave, strong, puts others before her self even though she has had a hard upbringing... and I always like a character who is wary when people offer her friendship and then blossoms when she finally accepts that people like her for who she is.  Read it.  If I rated stuff, this would be 4.5 out of five... cause no story is ever perfect!

flag