Review of Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

Title: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
Author: Jonathan Safran Foer
Narrators: Jeff Woodman, Barbara Caruso, and Richard Ferrone
Published by: Recorded Books
Length: 10 sound discs (11 hr.)
Source: Library
Format: Audio
Rating: 3 stars

Summary from Goodreads: Nine-year-old Oskar Schell is a precocious Francophile who idolizes Stephen Hawking and plays the tambourine extremely well. He's also a boy struggling to come to terms with his father's death in the World Trade Center attacks. As he searches New York City for the lock that fits a mysterious key he left behind, Oskar discovers much more than he could have imagined.

I really wanted to love this book and I defiantly tried, but I just didn't.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book and I liked it, but I wasn't blown away like I thought I'd be. 

This may have something to do with the audio or it may not.  I was often confused while listening to the audio and I felt like things were repeated often.  I'm not sure if this occurred in the book or if I was missing something by listening to it instead of reading it.  The narrators were good and evoked many emotions.  Their voices really seemed to fit each character and helped me to picture them easier.  I was just often confused as the story seemed to jump back and forth. 

I did really enjoy the story.  It was so much more than it says for the description of the book.  Sure it involved the story of Oskar and his search for truth, but there was also the story of his grandparents and of each of the "Blacks" he visited.  I really enjoyed meeting each character and hearing a little bit about them.  I felt there were so many connections between people that were explored in this novel and that made Oskar grow as a person and come closer to finding his own truth. 

The characters were interesting and they all seemed to grow and yet at the same time they also seemed to settle.  (Does that even make sense?)  There were some heart-wrenching moments that invoked deep emotions and there were also some laugh-out-loud moments.  I never knew quite what to expect out of the characters but they were fun to get to know.

Usually I'm a huge audio fan, so I was sad that this one didn't work out for me as well as I hoped.  Maybe someday I'll "re-read" the book and see if my opinions change. 

Review of Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Title: Jessica's Guide Dating on the Dark Side
Author: Beth Fantaskey
Published by: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt             
Pages: 351
Source: Obtained free (on December 30, 2011) from Amazon
Format: ebook
Rating: 3.5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: The undead can really screw up your senior year . . .

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn't fit into Jessica Packwood's senior year "get-a-life" plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth--and he's her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire's Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess.

But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war--and save Lucius's soul from eternal destruction.

What would be your reaction if you find out not only that someone else is a vampire but you are too? 

It seems lately in YA literature that characters just accept the paranormal like we do colored hair, tattoos or piercings.  It is not a shock to them, more they expect it and accept it.  I find this a little unbelievable (in YA lit...not the colored hair, tattoos and piercings which I all like).  If someone told me they were a vampire I would think they were crazy.  This was my favorite thing about Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side.  It takes Jessica a long time and a lot of proof--given multiple times--for her to actually believe that Lucius is a vampire and that she is too.  I think that proves how down to earth and real Jessica is. 

At first Lucius is kind of a jerk and very pretentious.  The one thing I did love about him is that he had a great appreciation for the generously proportioned female form.  He kept telling Jessica that she was beautiful and not overweight.  I loved the way he seemed mesmerized by her curves.  He was a true gentleman in that way.  I think it also showed his true nature when he tried to blend into society for her.  He tried to change himself so the shock and surprise would be easier on her, even though it was harder on him.  That goes a long way in my book! 

The story itself was good, but I was hoping for a little more action, both physical and romantically.  While I do enjoy reading about the situations of everyday life (well at least everyday that involves a vampire) I wish there would have been more nail biting, sitting on the edge of your chair, scenes.  I also felt the ending was a little rushed.  They rest of the book took it's time getting to each point in the novel but the end felt too fast to me.

Overall I enjoyed this novel and I can't wait to see what is in store for Jessica and Lucius in the next novel.   

Top Ten Tuesday

Today I'm participating in Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Books On My Summer TBR List

1.  Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore.  I loved Graceling and Fire so I'm really excited to read this book.  I hope there are return visits from some of my favorite characters from the earlier books. 

2. The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen.  Allen is one of my favorite adult writers.  She flawlessly adds a touch of magic to her novels and gives a charm to her characters that you won't soon forget.   

3. The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead.  My whole goal in reading these novels is for Adrian to find love.  He deserves it. 

4.  Sunrise at Sunset by Jaz Primo.  For Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge we are reading this book for a June Read-a-long.  I just got it today and I hope it's good. 

5. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.  I can't seem to get enough of John Green lately so I'm excited to read his latest novel.  I've heard amazing things about it. 

6. The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks.  It has probably been at least five years since I've read a Nicholas Sparks book, but I want to read this one before I see the movie.  Has anyone seen the movie yet?  How was it? 

7.  A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger.  I love how real Kody Keplinger's novels are.  The characters, the story, the setting, everything just screams that this could totally be happening right now. 

 

8. Hexed (Iron Druid Chronicles #2) by Kevin Hearne.  I thoroughly enjoyed all the magical/mythical characters in the Hounded and I can't wait to see what adventures Atticus and Oberon get into next. 

9. Something Like Normal by Trish Doller.  I saw this novel all around the blogosphere yesterday and I heard some really great things about it, so requested it from the library right away. 

10. Risky Shot (Bluegrass #2) by Kathleen Brooks.  I fell in love with the southern charm of the first novel and I'm sure the second novel will be just as sweet.   

What's on your summer TBR pile?

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Immortal Rules
Author: Julie Kagawa
Published by: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 504
Source: NetGalley/Publisher
Format: ebook
Rating: 4 stars

Summary from Goodreads:  Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn’t easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

 Vampires, Undead, romance, hatred and blood...This book has it all.

I must admit that I had a really hard time getting into this book.  It wasn't until 150 pages or so that the tempo started picking up for me.  I didn't really like the story up until that point, but other bloggers had warned me about so the slow start, so I knew it was going to get better.

Allie is one of those characters that grows throughout the story.  I felt like I really got to know her through all the trials she's been through and I liked the type of person she turned out to be.  She had a hard life before the start of this novel and then during it things got infinitely more complicated.  She was a strong individual and I think her inner strength is what made her a survivor. 

There is a lot of action and adventure crammed into The Immortal Rules.  As slow as the first part went, the last part really flew.  I almost wish that we would have got to spend some more time with Allie as a vampire and the predicaments she got into.  The part of the story covered in this book alone could be a trilogy by itself, that is how much action happens.  There are sword fights, gun shots, blood and death.  But never fear, because there are also sweet moments and a bit of romance. 

While I'm not much for cliffhangers I'm happy about the ending of this book.  Some loose ends were tied up, but there are still enough mysteries left to hook you for the next book.   

Friday Night Date Night

Friday Night Date Night is a feature on my blog that showcases movie review (mostly movies that were adapted from books). Hopefully some of these reviews will help you decide what to watch on your date night or a night of relaxing at home.

from splashpage.mtv.com

I am not much of a comic book reader, yet when these comic book heroes are staring in movies I'm all about it.  That is why I knew I had to see The Avengers in the theaters.  Was it worth the $10 ticket, $6 ICEE and $3.50 Twizzlers?  Definitely! 

from theverge.com

The Avengers brings together a group a super heroes to save the earth.  What happens when you get big-ego super-heroes with a save-the-world complex together?  Complete chaos.  It was great!  I loved Stark's (Iron Man) witty comments.  I laughed so hard as he bickered with the other heroes.  Thor and Captain America were kind-hearted, sweet, and incredibly good looking.  Together the Avengers were one kick-butt team ready to take on the world of evil.  I, however, want to know how I can be one of those token humans on the team.  Seriously how did they get that job among the heroes?

from www.vibe.com

I still don't think I completely understand the plot, but the action and humor totally make up for it.  Even if you are not a fan of comics, I highly suggest you see this movie. 

Want to see more?

 

Review of Virals by Kathy Reichs

Title: Virals
Author: Kathy Reichs
Narrator: Cristin Milioti
Published by: Penguin Audio
Length: 8 sound discs (9 hr., 30 min.)
Source: Library
Format: Audio
Rating: 4 stars

Summary from Goodreads: Tory Brennan, niece of acclaimed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (of the Bones novels and hit TV show), is the leader of a ragtag band of teenage "sci-philes" who live on a secluded island off the coast of South Carolina. When the group rescues a dog caged for medical testing on a nearby island, they are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes their lives forever.

As the friends discover their heightened senses and animal-quick reflexes, they must combine their scientific curiosity with their newfound physical gifts to solve a cold-case murder that has suddenly become very hot if they can stay alive long enough to catch the killer's scent.

Fortunately, they are now more than friends they're a pack. They are Virals

Virals is like no other book I've ever read...er... listened to.  I'm glad I didn't really know what the book was about when I checked it out from the library because Virals is not the typical type of book I read and I probabaly wouldn't have picked it up.  However, I ended up really enjoying it. 

The Virals are a group of friends who end up catching an experimental virus that gives them special powers.  I love this idea; it's kind of a Heros and X-Men mix.  At first Tory and her friends' new abilities were kind of freaky, but as they learned to control their new powers and use them for good I was more on board.  The scenes were really funny as each person dealt with their changing bodies and emotions in different ways. 

Tory and her friends were also great characters.  They each had their own vibe, but meshed really well as a group.  I did, however, wish there was a little more character development.  While I liked these characters, I never felt like I really got to know them or understand them.

The best thing about this novel was definitely the mystery that the Virals had to solve.  There are twists and turns in the plot and you're never quite sure who are the bad guys and who are the good guys.  I was a bit shocked when we found out who was responsible.

The narration of this book was done really well.  It was easy to follow and flowed really well.  I loved how the audio indicated the change from when the Virals were in their normal mode and when they went into their paranormal mode.  It always nice when an audio does something a bit extra to help the readers/listeners out. 

Virals definitely taught me it is worth trying a book outside your normal comfort zone...you just might be pleasantly surprised. 

Review of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

 Title: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Published by: Poppy/Little Brown
Pages: 236
Source: Library
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 4 stars

Summary from Goodreads: Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan’s life. She’s stuck at JFK, late to her father’s second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley’s never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport’s cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he’s British, and he’s in seat 18C. Hadley’s in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver’s story will make you believe that true love finds you when you’re least expecting it.

Do you believe in love at first sight?  When asked this question I always respond that no I don't believe in love at first sight, but I'm open to the possibility of love at first "meet." 

Jennifer E. Smith takes this common concept of love at first sight and puts an interesting twist on it.  I loved the story itself.  For some reason the thought of two people meeting at an airport and falling in love throughout their flight is just inspiring.  Hey, maybe I should hang out at airports more often!

Hadley was a little sullen at first.  I think Oliver really brought out the good side of her and got her out of her "funk."   She's had a rough time since her father left and I think that not dealing with those emotions has made her a little bitter.  Oliver on the other hand seems fun loving and carefree when you first meet him.  Jennifer E. Smith picked the perfect balence of characters with these two.  They make a great pair and though their journey together was short they made a lasting impression on each other and me.  I really liked Oliver.  He was so cute and adorable that you can't help but fall in love with him. 

The writing was done well and very captivating.  The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight was super cute and definitely a great summer read.