Thursday, August 6, 2015
So long, Lily's Reads!
Lily's Reads was fun, but now it's time to move on. I hope you all stick around with me on my new journey in the book blogosphere! Pop on over to my new blog, Reader Connected!
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Waiting on Wednesday -- Pretending to be Erica
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Breaking the Spine in which we share upcoming releases!
Pretending to Be Erica by Michelle PainchaudPublisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Release Date: July 21, 2015
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Thiriller
Amazon || B&N || BAM || Goodreads
Goodreads Synopsis:
We Were Liars meets Heist Society in a riveting debut!
Seventeen-year-old Violet’s entire life has revolved around one thing: becoming Erica Silverman, an heiress kidnapped at age five and never seen again. Violet’s father, the best con man in Las Vegas, has a plan, chilling in its very specific precision. Violet shares a blood type with Erica; soon, thanks to surgery and blackmail, she has the same face, body, and DNA. She knows every detail of the Silvermans’ lives, as well as the PTSD she will have to fake around them. And then, when the time is right, she “reappears”—Erica Silverman, brought home by some kind of miracle. But she is also Violet, and she has a job: Stay long enough to steal the Silverman Painting, an Old Master legendary in the Vegas crime world. Walking a razor’s edge, calculating every decision, not sure sometimes who she is or what she is doing it for, Violet is an unforgettable heroine, andPretending to be Erica is a killer debut.
Goodreads Synopsis:
We Were Liars meets Heist Society in a riveting debut!
Seventeen-year-old Violet’s entire life has revolved around one thing: becoming Erica Silverman, an heiress kidnapped at age five and never seen again. Violet’s father, the best con man in Las Vegas, has a plan, chilling in its very specific precision. Violet shares a blood type with Erica; soon, thanks to surgery and blackmail, she has the same face, body, and DNA. She knows every detail of the Silvermans’ lives, as well as the PTSD she will have to fake around them. And then, when the time is right, she “reappears”—Erica Silverman, brought home by some kind of miracle. But she is also Violet, and she has a job: Stay long enough to steal the Silverman Painting, an Old Master legendary in the Vegas crime world. Walking a razor’s edge, calculating every decision, not sure sometimes who she is or what she is doing it for, Violet is an unforgettable heroine, andPretending to be Erica is a killer debut.
Until next time,
xox
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Heading in a new direction + a reveal
Hello guys! I know, I know, where the hell have I been? Well, I'm not gonna lie. When I haven't been working nearly all day everyday, I've been vegging out on my couch, avoiding my blogging responsibilities. But I have some news. Some exciting news (Look, I think it's exciting at least...).
I'm rebooting my blog.
And by reboot, I mean I'm essentially dumping Lily's Reads. I've created a brand new blog, with a brand new name, and heading in what is for me, a brand new direction. And I couldn't be more excited!
The blog isn't quite ready to debut yet, though. When it is, (hopefully sometime in mid-July) I'll let you all know right here, and I hope you'll continue to follow me on my bookish journey.
Now for the reveal.
Wait, I thought the new blog was the reveal?
Umm, sorry. I wanted to give you the exciting news before I hit you with this. It's not anything bad, it's just something that some people might get upset about. But with my decision to head in a new direction, I wanted to be as truthful with you all as I can be, and I can't do that with telling you my real name.
Yeah. Lily isn't my name. My name is Jada.
Why have you been lying to us all this time?!?!
I KNOW I KNOW! I'M SORRY!
I genuinely feel awful about this. But when I first started blogging (long before Lily's Reads came into being) I was a youngin' concerned with keeping my identity from the creepy creeps of the internet. So I decided to take the name of one of my favorite characters from one of my favorite books, The Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving.
So, no more secrets. We can still be friends, right? Right??
I'll just give you some time.
xox
I'm rebooting my blog.
And by reboot, I mean I'm essentially dumping Lily's Reads. I've created a brand new blog, with a brand new name, and heading in what is for me, a brand new direction. And I couldn't be more excited!
The blog isn't quite ready to debut yet, though. When it is, (hopefully sometime in mid-July) I'll let you all know right here, and I hope you'll continue to follow me on my bookish journey.
Now for the reveal.
Wait, I thought the new blog was the reveal?
Umm, sorry. I wanted to give you the exciting news before I hit you with this. It's not anything bad, it's just something that some people might get upset about. But with my decision to head in a new direction, I wanted to be as truthful with you all as I can be, and I can't do that with telling you my real name.
Yeah. Lily isn't my name. My name is Jada.
Why have you been lying to us all this time?!?!
I KNOW I KNOW! I'M SORRY!
I genuinely feel awful about this. But when I first started blogging (long before Lily's Reads came into being) I was a youngin' concerned with keeping my identity from the creepy creeps of the internet. So I decided to take the name of one of my favorite characters from one of my favorite books, The Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving.
So, no more secrets. We can still be friends, right? Right??
I'll just give you some time.
xox
Monday, June 15, 2015
*Review* Locke and Key by Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriguez
Locke & Key by Joe Hill,illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez
Publisher: IDW, 2008- 2012
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy
Source: Scribd/ e-book
Rating: 4/5
Amazon || B&N || BAM || Goodreads
Goodreads Synopsis
Locke & Key tells of Keyhouse, an unlikely New England mansion, with fantastic doors that transform all who dare to walk through them. Home to a hate-filled and relentless creature that will not rest until it forces open the most terrible door of them all...
Goodreads Synopsis
Locke & Key tells of Keyhouse, an unlikely New England mansion, with fantastic doors that transform all who dare to walk through them. Home to a hate-filled and relentless creature that will not rest until it forces open the most terrible door of them all...
Although I don't read them nearly enough, I really and truly love graphic novels, and this series is by far one of the best I've ever read. I literally forced myself to stay awake because I wanted to know what happened next. And anyone who knows me knows that's not a thing that happens often because I really love sleep, especially when I'm at college, which is where I was when I read this series. So, in short, this series is fabulous.
Seriously. I know this review is a little light on the review part of things, but that's because I don't have any actual words for this series. Just go pick it up. I promise on my un-dead cat's immortal soul that you won't regret it.
Until next time,
xox
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
*DNF Review* Those Girls by Lauren Saft
Those Girls by Lauren SaftPublisher: Poppy: Little, Brown and Company
Release Date: June 9, 2015
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Source: NetGalley/Publisher
Rating: 2/5
Amazon || B&N || BAM || Goodreads
Goodreads Synopsis
Some girls will always have your back, and some girls can't help but stab you in it.
Junior year, the suburbs of Philadelphia. Alex, Mollie and Veronica are those girls: they're the best of friends and the party girls of the school. But how well does everybody know them--and really, how well do they know one another? Alex is secretly in love with the boy next door and has joined a band--without telling anyone. Mollie suffers from a popular (and possibly sociopathic) boyfriend, as well as a serious mean streak. And Veronica just wants to be loved--literally, figuratively, physically....she's not particular. Will this be the year that bonds them forever....or tears them apart for good?
Lauren Saft masterfully conveys what goes on in the mind of a teenage girl, and her debut novel is raw, honest, hilarious, and thought-provoking, with a healthy dose of heart.
Goodreads Synopsis
Some girls will always have your back, and some girls can't help but stab you in it.
Junior year, the suburbs of Philadelphia. Alex, Mollie and Veronica are those girls: they're the best of friends and the party girls of the school. But how well does everybody know them--and really, how well do they know one another? Alex is secretly in love with the boy next door and has joined a band--without telling anyone. Mollie suffers from a popular (and possibly sociopathic) boyfriend, as well as a serious mean streak. And Veronica just wants to be loved--literally, figuratively, physically....she's not particular. Will this be the year that bonds them forever....or tears them apart for good?
Lauren Saft masterfully conveys what goes on in the mind of a teenage girl, and her debut novel is raw, honest, hilarious, and thought-provoking, with a healthy dose of heart.
There's really nothing I hate more than DNFing a book, but sometimes I just have to, and unfortunately, this is one of those books.
Let me begin by saying that I didn't hate this book. I thought it was okay, to a point. What killed this book for me was the excessive 'mean girls' cliche, and the repetetiveness of the storyline. After awhile, it just felt like the book kept repeating itself, same bitchy girls, same asshole boys, different party. After a while, reather than being amused by the awful dynamic of friendship amoung the three female protags, I became annoyed and finally wanted to just slap them all and tell them to grow the fuck up. There's only so much bitching about boys and shitty friends I can take, in books and in real life, before I start to tune out.
I do wish the author would have explored some subjects she presented in this book a little further (although, I did only get through about 50%, so maybe she did in the last half), such as the one character's eating disorder. I feel like it could have been a great way to discuss a serious illness, instead of just tacking it on as an accessory.
I don't really know what else to say about this book other than you'll either love it or hate it.
Until next time,
xox
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Waiting on Wednesday -- Delicate Monsters
Delicate Monsters by Stephanie Kuehn
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date: June 9, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date: June 9, 2015
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Thiriller
Amazon || B&N || BAM || Goodreads
Goodreads Synopsis:
From the Morris-Award winning author of Charm & Strange, comes a twisted and haunting tale about three teens uncovering dark secrets and even darker truths about themselves.
When nearly killing a classmate gets seventeen-year-old Sadie Su kicked out of her third boarding school in four years, she returns to her family’s California vineyard estate. Here, she’s meant to stay out of trouble. Here, she’s meant to do a lot of things. But it’s hard. She’s bored. And when Sadie’s bored, the only thing she likes is trouble.
Emerson Tate’s a poor boy living in a rich town, with his widowed mother and strange, haunted little brother. All he wants his senior year is to play basketball and make something happen with the girl of his dreams. That’s why Emerson’s not happy Sadie’s back. An old childhood friend, she knows his worst secrets. The things he longs to forget. The things she won’t ever let him.
Haunted is a good word for fifteen-year-old Miles Tate. Miles can see the future, after all. And he knows his vision of tragic violence at his school will come true, because his visions always do. That’s what he tells the new girl in town. The one who listens to him. The one who recognizes the darkness in his past.
But can Miles stop the violence? Or has the future already been written? Maybe tragedy is his destiny. Maybe it’s all of theirs.
Goodreads Synopsis:
From the Morris-Award winning author of Charm & Strange, comes a twisted and haunting tale about three teens uncovering dark secrets and even darker truths about themselves.
When nearly killing a classmate gets seventeen-year-old Sadie Su kicked out of her third boarding school in four years, she returns to her family’s California vineyard estate. Here, she’s meant to stay out of trouble. Here, she’s meant to do a lot of things. But it’s hard. She’s bored. And when Sadie’s bored, the only thing she likes is trouble.
Emerson Tate’s a poor boy living in a rich town, with his widowed mother and strange, haunted little brother. All he wants his senior year is to play basketball and make something happen with the girl of his dreams. That’s why Emerson’s not happy Sadie’s back. An old childhood friend, she knows his worst secrets. The things he longs to forget. The things she won’t ever let him.
Haunted is a good word for fifteen-year-old Miles Tate. Miles can see the future, after all. And he knows his vision of tragic violence at his school will come true, because his visions always do. That’s what he tells the new girl in town. The one who listens to him. The one who recognizes the darkness in his past.
But can Miles stop the violence? Or has the future already been written? Maybe tragedy is his destiny. Maybe it’s all of theirs.
I LOVED Charm & Strange, so I'm super pumped for this new book! Definitely on the top of my to-buy list!
Until next time,
xox
Waiting on Wednesday is a fabulous feature hosted by Breaking the Spine where we feature our most anticipated upcoming releases.
Monday, May 25, 2015
*Review* The Singular & Extraordinary Tale of Mirror & Goliath by Ishbelle Bee
The Singular & Extraordinary Tale of Mirror & Goliath by Ishbelle BeePublisher: Angry Robot Books
Release Date: June 30, 2015
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Steampunk
Source: Netgalley/Publisher
Goodreads Synopsis
1888. A little girl called Mirror and her shape-shifting guardian Goliath Honeyflower are washed up on the shores of Victorian England. Something has been wrong with Mirror since the day her grandfather locked her inside a mysterious clock that was painted all over with ladybirds. Mirror does not know what she is, but she knows she is no longer human.
John Loveheart, meanwhile, was not born wicked. But after the sinister death of his parents, he was taken by Mr Fingers, the demon lord of the underworld. Some say he is mad. John would be inclined to agree.
Now Mr Fingers is determined to find the little girl called Mirror, whose flesh he intends to eat, and whose soul is the key to his eternal reign. And John Loveheart has been called by his otherworldly father to help him track Mirror down…
I wish so much I could like this book more. The writing is beautiful, and reminds me so much of all the wonderful fairy-tales of my childhood, but it just lacked something.
I don't know. Maybe it's just me, but I wish certain scenes were fleshed out a bit more. Things seemed to happen too quickly, and with no real, believable explanation, often leaving me confused as to what just happened.
Also, I couldn't quite get a grip on the characters themselves. I felt disconnected from them, and felt disoriented because this. I wasn't sure how old Mirror was, which was a huge problem for me, because at times I thought she was very young, like six or seven, but then her actions would make me think she was much older. This age thing also gave me problems when it came to Mr. Loveheart. I wasn't sure if he was a grown man or a child.
Even though there were several things I didn't like about this book, I didn't completely hate it. The story overall was really very lovely, and, as I said above, the writing is beautiful and poetic and is more than worth picking this book up.
Until next time,
xox
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
*Review* Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight
Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: February 1, 2013
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
Source: Purchased from Amazon Kindle
Rating: 4/5
Amazon || B&N || BAM || Goodreads
Goodreads Synopsis
A stunning debut novel in which a single mother reconstructs her teenaged daughter's life, sifting through her emails, texts, and social media to piece together the shocking truth about the last days of her life.
Litigation lawyer and harried single mother Kate Baron is stunned when her daughter's exclusive private school in Park Slope, Brooklyn, calls with disturbing news: her intelligent, high-achieving fifteen-year-old daughter, Amelia, has been caught cheating.
Kate can't believe that Amelia, an ambitious, levelheaded girl who's never been in trouble would do something like that. But by the time she arrives at Grace Hall, Kate's faced with far more devastating news. Amelia is dead.
Seemingly unable to cope with what she'd done, a despondent Amelia has jumped from the school's roof in an act of "spontaneous" suicide. At least that's the story Grace Hall and the police tell Kate. And overwhelmed as she is by her own guilt and shattered by grief, it is the story that Kate believes until she gets the anonymous text:
She didn't jump.
Sifting through Amelia's emails, text messages, social media postings, and cell phone logs, Kate is determined to learn the heartbreaking truth about why Amelia was on Grace Hall's roof that day-and why she died.
Told in alternating voices, Reconstructing Amelia is a story of secrets and lies, of love and betrayal, of trusted friends and vicious bullies. It's about how well a parent ever really knows a child and how far one mother will go to vindicate the memory of a daughter whose life she could not save.
Goodreads Synopsis
A stunning debut novel in which a single mother reconstructs her teenaged daughter's life, sifting through her emails, texts, and social media to piece together the shocking truth about the last days of her life.
Litigation lawyer and harried single mother Kate Baron is stunned when her daughter's exclusive private school in Park Slope, Brooklyn, calls with disturbing news: her intelligent, high-achieving fifteen-year-old daughter, Amelia, has been caught cheating.
Kate can't believe that Amelia, an ambitious, levelheaded girl who's never been in trouble would do something like that. But by the time she arrives at Grace Hall, Kate's faced with far more devastating news. Amelia is dead.
Seemingly unable to cope with what she'd done, a despondent Amelia has jumped from the school's roof in an act of "spontaneous" suicide. At least that's the story Grace Hall and the police tell Kate. And overwhelmed as she is by her own guilt and shattered by grief, it is the story that Kate believes until she gets the anonymous text:
She didn't jump.
Sifting through Amelia's emails, text messages, social media postings, and cell phone logs, Kate is determined to learn the heartbreaking truth about why Amelia was on Grace Hall's roof that day-and why she died.
Told in alternating voices, Reconstructing Amelia is a story of secrets and lies, of love and betrayal, of trusted friends and vicious bullies. It's about how well a parent ever really knows a child and how far one mother will go to vindicate the memory of a daughter whose life she could not save.
I didn't know what to to expect going into this book, but I fell into it immediately. This book grabbed me from the first page, and kept me in it's grip until the end. There were so many secrets and twists that it was a little difficult keeping things straight, but for the most part, I really enjoyed this book and was unable to put it down.
It was really interesting to get not only Kate's perspective on Amelia's death, but also Amelia's. You literally get Amelia's death from her own eyes, and although it's a little odd, it at least gives the reader some sense of definiteness concerning her death.
My only issue with this book was Amelia's response to the Maggies. I don't know. I guess I just felt like her reasons for joining them in the first place and not leaving when she had the chance were weak. Granted, she is a teenager trying to fit in, but I don't know. I just didn't like it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a fast-paced mystery.
Until next time,
xox
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon Opening Meme
Hey guys! I'm late getting things up on the blog, but definitely follow me on Twitter and Instagram for more up-to-the-minute updates! Username lilysreads for both!!
Head on over to 24hourreadathon.com for hourly fun and join in the #readathon hashtag on Twitter for even more excitement!!
Anyway, without further ado, the opening meme!!
1. I'm reading from the slightly chilly US! :D
2. Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight
3. I've got some yummy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies staring at me right now!
4. I'm finishing up my second year of college and still have absolutely no clue what career path I want to take, I procrastinate EVERYTHING (I swear I'm not proud of this fact!), and I'm obsessed with chocolate and coffee!
5. I'll definitely be chatting with other readers more on blogs, Twitter, and Instagram! It's so much more fun cheering on others!
Alrighty guys, I'm off to read some more! Good luck and happy reading!
Until next time,
xox
Head on over to 24hourreadathon.com for hourly fun and join in the #readathon hashtag on Twitter for even more excitement!!
Anyway, without further ado, the opening meme!!
1. I'm reading from the slightly chilly US! :D
2. Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight
3. I've got some yummy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies staring at me right now!
4. I'm finishing up my second year of college and still have absolutely no clue what career path I want to take, I procrastinate EVERYTHING (I swear I'm not proud of this fact!), and I'm obsessed with chocolate and coffee!
5. I'll definitely be chatting with other readers more on blogs, Twitter, and Instagram! It's so much more fun cheering on others!
Alrighty guys, I'm off to read some more! Good luck and happy reading!
Until next time,
xox
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon
Alright, real quick before I get into the fun stuff, I just want to let you all know that I am still here, even though I haven't posted since February. I've been dealing with some personal stuff, and the idea of blogging has just made me even more overwhelmed, resulting in me dropping off the planet. I am still reading everyone's blogs, even though I might not be commenting (mostly due to the fact that I read your fabulous blogs on the Bloglovin app, and you really can't comment from there, at least not that I've seen). I will be back! Stay tuned this coming week, because I've got a (hopefully!) fun summer TBR project!
Anyway, back to the real fun! Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon (April 25)! If you don't know what this is, here are a few links to help catch you up!
I first participated in this readathon this time last year, and I had a blast! It was the first readathon I'd ever done, and it definitely sparked my love for readathons. I'm so excited to be participating again this year! This year's TBR consists of:
Friday, February 20, 2015
Friday Updates
Hey everyone! I hope you're having a great Friday so far!
So this week has been pretty crazy. I don't know if you've heard, but the eastern part of the US has been experiencing some ridiculously cold weather and terrifying snow falls. I'm in Ohio, and it definitely isn't as bad here as on the coast, but the temperature has been dangerously low. Yesterday, it was so bad that all classes were cancelled at my college. Which never happens. I can't even pretend to imagine what it must be like in the states with temperatures even lower than here. Anyway, what I wanted to say is STAY WARM! Stay cuddled inside under the blankets.
Anyway, apart from nearly losing my ears walking to classes earlier this week, not much else has been going on. I haven't gotten much reading done, mostly because I was in a really icky mood earlier this week, but I'm much better now, and did manage to finish one book, albeit it was for class. But it was super good!
You can take a look at what I read this week, and plan on reading this weekend.
Hard Rain Falling by Don Carpenter
This is the book I read for class. If you've never read it, I insist that you pick it up. Now.
The Last Rewrite by Jason Myers
This is Jason Myers' latest book that he very kindly sent me last week. (Thank you again!!) I'm absolutely loving it, which ins't surprising because I've loved everything I've read by him. This book is seriously amazing and Jason Myers is one of the best authors I've ever read. And he's just a super cool dude in general. I don't think this book is available at the moment, but you definitely need to check out his other work. Head over to his website and follow him on Twitter. Also, if you want check out my review of his book Blazed, which is really me better (by better I mean basically incoherently raving) explaining why I love his books.
What have you read this week or plan on reading this weekend?
Until next time,
xox
So this week has been pretty crazy. I don't know if you've heard, but the eastern part of the US has been experiencing some ridiculously cold weather and terrifying snow falls. I'm in Ohio, and it definitely isn't as bad here as on the coast, but the temperature has been dangerously low. Yesterday, it was so bad that all classes were cancelled at my college. Which never happens. I can't even pretend to imagine what it must be like in the states with temperatures even lower than here. Anyway, what I wanted to say is STAY WARM! Stay cuddled inside under the blankets.
Anyway, apart from nearly losing my ears walking to classes earlier this week, not much else has been going on. I haven't gotten much reading done, mostly because I was in a really icky mood earlier this week, but I'm much better now, and did manage to finish one book, albeit it was for class. But it was super good!
You can take a look at what I read this week, and plan on reading this weekend.
Hard Rain Falling by Don Carpenter
This is the book I read for class. If you've never read it, I insist that you pick it up. Now.
The Last Rewrite by Jason Myers
This is Jason Myers' latest book that he very kindly sent me last week. (Thank you again!!) I'm absolutely loving it, which ins't surprising because I've loved everything I've read by him. This book is seriously amazing and Jason Myers is one of the best authors I've ever read. And he's just a super cool dude in general. I don't think this book is available at the moment, but you definitely need to check out his other work. Head over to his website and follow him on Twitter. Also, if you want check out my review of his book Blazed, which is really me better (by better I mean basically incoherently raving) explaining why I love his books.
What have you read this week or plan on reading this weekend?
Until next time,
xox
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Waiting on Wednesday -- The Alex Crow
The Alex Crow by Andrew Smith
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Release Date: March 3, 2015
Genre: YA, Science Fiction
Amazon || B&N || BAM || Goodreads
Goodreads Synopsis:
Skillfully blending multiple story strands that transcend time and place, award-winning Grasshopper Jungle author Andrew Smith chronicles the story of Ariel, a refugee who is the sole survivor of an attack on his small village. Now living with an adoptive family in Sunday, West Virginia, Ariel's story is juxtaposed against those of a schizophrenic bomber and the diaries of a failed arctic expedition from the late nineteenth century . . . and a depressed, bionic reincarnated crow.
Goodreads Synopsis:
Skillfully blending multiple story strands that transcend time and place, award-winning Grasshopper Jungle author Andrew Smith chronicles the story of Ariel, a refugee who is the sole survivor of an attack on his small village. Now living with an adoptive family in Sunday, West Virginia, Ariel's story is juxtaposed against those of a schizophrenic bomber and the diaries of a failed arctic expedition from the late nineteenth century . . . and a depressed, bionic reincarnated crow.
Is there really any explanation needed for this one? I mean, it's Andrew Smith. Andrew. Freaking. Smith. Of course this book will be spectacularly weird and amazing.
Until next time,
xox
Waiting on Wednesday is a fabulous feature hosted by Breaking the Spine where we feature our most anticipated upcoming releases.
Friday, February 13, 2015
Thank you!
I just want to take a quick moment to thank ParajunkeesView for her post on HTML and give her credit for the fabulous boxes that will hopefully make my blog less boring for you guys. So thank you so much for the wonderful tutorial and the lovely HTML code. I really appreciate it!!!
*Review* Tenth of December by George Saunders
Publisher: Random House 2013
Genre: Short Stories, Contemporary, Adult Fiction
Source: Library borrow/ e-book
Rating: 4/5
Amazon || B&N || BAM || Goodreads
Goodreads Synopsis
A new story collection, the first in six years, from one of our greatest living writers, MacArthur "genius grant" recipient and New Yorker contributor George Saunders.
The title story is an exquisite, moving account of the intersection, at a frozen lake in the woods, of a young misfit and a middle-aged cancer patient who goes there to commit suicide, only to end up saving the boy's life.
"Home" is the often funny, often poignant account of a soldier returning from the war.
"Victory Lap" is a taut, inventive story about the attempted abduction of a teenage girl.
In all, Tenth of December is George Saunders at his absolute best, a collection of stories and characters that add up to something deep, irreducible, and uniquely American.
Goodreads Synopsis
A new story collection, the first in six years, from one of our greatest living writers, MacArthur "genius grant" recipient and New Yorker contributor George Saunders.
The title story is an exquisite, moving account of the intersection, at a frozen lake in the woods, of a young misfit and a middle-aged cancer patient who goes there to commit suicide, only to end up saving the boy's life.
"Home" is the often funny, often poignant account of a soldier returning from the war.
"Victory Lap" is a taut, inventive story about the attempted abduction of a teenage girl.
In all, Tenth of December is George Saunders at his absolute best, a collection of stories and characters that add up to something deep, irreducible, and uniquely American.
There was a lot of hype when this book first came out a couple of years ago, and I remember really wanting to read it, and then for no particular reason it fell off my radar until recently, when I decided I needed a nice break from all the novels I'd been reading.
Man oh man, this collection! Absolutely fabulous! While there were a couple of stories I slogged through as they just didn't interest me too much, as a whole, I love this collection. Saunders has an interesting way of writing that really puts you in the heads of his characters and makes you question what's really going on.
I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone and everyone. I can't wait to get my hands on more of Saunders' work.
Until next time,
xox
Monday, February 9, 2015
Monday Updates
Good Morning everyone! I hope you're all having a fabulous day so far! I don't really have much to say this morning, but I thought I'd at least let you all know what I'm reading, mostly because I'm absolutely in love with this first book, and seriously can't wait until I finish it to gush about it.
Tenth of December by George Saunders
This is a collection of short stories that was published a couple of years ago. I remember seeing it around and wanting to read it, but never getting around to it, and I totally hate myself for waiting so long to pick this up! What I've read so far is absolutely amazing! These stories are so riveting that I just want to plow through, but so complex (in a good way!) that I just have to force myself to take my time so I miss anything. I don't even know. They make my heart hurt and my brain spin, which for me means this collection is outstanding. I really can't wait to finish it!
Hard Rain Falling by Don Carpenter
I'm also reading Hard Rain Falling for an English class, and although I'm not too far into it yet, I really like it so far. More to come on this one.
Okay, so this wasn't much of an update, but I've got to get to class now, but I'll be back soon!
Until next time,
xox
Monday, February 2, 2015
Hello Again!
It's been awhile guys, I know. But I'm back! Mostly... Let me explain.
As you might know, I'm a college student, and anyone who's experienced college life knows that between classes, work, eating, and sleeping, there really isn't a lot of time left over to breathe, let alone blog. Which is why, in an attempt to not overwhelm myself and still stay involved in this awesome community, I'm going to aim for only two posts a week of varying topics.
Hopefully this will work out, and I won't let myself get discouraged as I have in the past if I fall behind or miss a week. This really really is a fabulous community, and coming back to it fills me with more joy than I can express. I can't wait to share in the love of all things books once more!!!
Until next time,
xox
As you might know, I'm a college student, and anyone who's experienced college life knows that between classes, work, eating, and sleeping, there really isn't a lot of time left over to breathe, let alone blog. Which is why, in an attempt to not overwhelm myself and still stay involved in this awesome community, I'm going to aim for only two posts a week of varying topics.
Hopefully this will work out, and I won't let myself get discouraged as I have in the past if I fall behind or miss a week. This really really is a fabulous community, and coming back to it fills me with more joy than I can express. I can't wait to share in the love of all things books once more!!!
Until next time,
xox
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