Audio Book Review - The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Why did I read this book?
I had heard about this author and his new book had a lot of buzz.  I happened to find it in the audio section of the library and thought I'd give it a try, I was needing a break from all the fantasy sci-fi I had been reading lately anyway.

What is it about?
This will sounds like a very depressing premise, but the book itself isn't that depressing, I promise.  The book is about a couple teenagers who have cancer and meet at a cancer support group.  Basically, it is a love story about teenagers, with that very sad twist.  It is fun because their emotions are a bit more raw and they really try to live life to the fullest knowing that they might not be around to enjoy it in the near future

Why you should read it!
This book will be coming out as a movie this summer, and I'm sure it will be tear worthy so get the tissues ready.  The book itself had its sad moments but you really feel the emotions of these kids and how they really try to have normal lives despite their disease.  It is a young adult book, but I think it is one that adults would enjoy, yes you are dealing with teenagers but it is very well written and won't make you feel like you are reading a dumbed down book.  I listened to the audio version and I have to say it wasn't very good.  Luckily the story shone through but the narrator wasn't very good and I felt like she made the book feel younger than it should.  At the end the author made a statement that originally he wanted to be the narrator but didn't make sense for a story told from a teenage girls point of view, honestly he probably would've been better.  This will be a big movie this summer and we all know the book is always better so go read it first!

Currently...

I should've done this on Sunday, but completed half yesterday and finished it today so here ya go!

Mt Rainier from the top of White Pass Ski Area

Reading - Coursera's coursework for the class that started today titled "How to Change the World", this is the second course I'm currently enrolled in, the first is a music theory/writing course, which I'm enjoying!
Writing - This post, which is different from my past 3 book reviews.
Listening - The Australian Open tennis tournament on TV, this and then the superbowl are the last two big sporting events that stand between the winter olympics and I. can't. wait.
Thinking - I really really don't want to go to work
Smelling - The delicious dinner I made from this recipe, so good!
Wishing - For some big winter storms to head our way, there's not much winter here on the west coast and it makes me sad.
Hoping - I won't be too sore after the pilates class I took today
Wearing - The same lounge outfit I've been wearing all weekend.
Loving - That it is ski season and that I made it onto the slopes for one day this weekend, it was beautiful (see pic above)
Wanting - to start a book club, but I only know one other person to start things off, baby steps?
Needing - a new pair of earrings
Feeling - sad, because the four day weekend is over and its back to reality

This is a link- up with siddathornton, go check out her blog and join in!

Book Review - Atomic Lobster By Tim Dorsey

How did I come into possession of this book?

This is a somewhat longer story than the usual, oh I just picked it up at the library.  My partner, Rob, teaches zumba and it is pretty rare that he ever gets guys to come to his classes.  Well one guy who was coming to many of his classes in Kentucky became a friend (even though he played football at notre dame and was quite a bit older that us).  We invited him and his wife over for dinner and had some good conversations, well of course books and reading came up.  When we mentioned we really liked the Carl Hiaasen books they said we have to look up Tim Dorsey and his series of ridiculous books about Florida.  A couple months later one of the kindle daily deals was a book by him, not the particular one they recommended but I thought I’d give it a try anyway.

What is it about?

It is basically a convergence of a bunch of individual story lines that all revolve around a particular area of Florida and a group of bad guys that the government is trying to catch.  Immediately you are introduced to some of the most ridiculous characters around.  And they are mixed in with what seem like perfectly normal people.  The further into the story you go the more the story lines cross and every time they cross it is in a more ridiculous manner.

What did I think?

I thought this book was hilarious, there were points where I giggled and some crazy scenes where the more I pictured them, the funnier they got! With all the hilarity and ridiculousness I do think there was some lack to the plot, which is too bad.  When the book ended, it all wrapped up within like 5 pages and I felt like that could’ve happened anywhere in the book, so it didn’t quite leave me satisfied.  But it did leave me laughing and for that reason I would read more books by him.

Who would I recommend it to?

Definitely if you like Hiaasen you will like this guy.  I also found his book not to be as involved as some of Hiaasen’s book so it might make for a faster read.  But I also thought this book was a bit more violent than Hiaasen’s tend to be so keep that in mind if you have a weak stomach while reading.  I love throwing in a humor book every now and then (especially a fiction one) and even though it might not’ve been the best literature I’ve read I enjoyed reading it from start to finish.

Book Review - The Onyx Bridge by Sophia Malamas

How did I come into possession of this book?

The author of this book sent me a copy in exchange for a review on my blog.  It sounded like an interesting fantasy book and potentially could be a good series so I agreed to read and review it!

What is it about?

Evelyn is suddenly thrown into a different world and a very long adventure.  She soon realizes that there is a prophecy she needs to stop and that she is the one who has to do it.  She finds herself in a world with creatures who are friends and foes and all new to her.  

What did I think?

This book wasn’t for me.  I didn’t really get some of the descriptions of the creatures in this new world.  Evelyn’s love interest is suppose to be irresistible, but when we are first introduced to him he doesn’t seem attractive at all.  A lot of the characters in the new world are likened to different animals and I then couldn’t picture them as anything but animals, not different creatures with a likeness to a certain animal.  I also had a hard time staying interested in the story, I never really felt like they were getting anywhere.  small events happened that were interesting but I never felt like they were moving towards an overall plot.  I also didn’t think it left me wanting anymore in following books, there wasn’t an overall driving factor that made me want more.

Who would I recommend it to?

I don’t think I’d recommend this book unless you are a hard core fantasy reader and enjoy all kinds of different worlds, especially ones having to do more with animals.  It wasn’t for me, but I think I need a bit more reality in my books.

Audiobook Review - Looking for Alaska by John Green

How did I come into possession of this book?

I previously read The Fault in our Stars by this same author, and have heard nothing but praise for him all year.  Even though the previous book I read by him was quite depressing, I thought I’d give another one of his a try for the long drive to Tahoe for the holidays.

What is it about?

Miles (aka Pudge) starts going to boarding school a couple states away from his parents. Immediately upon getting to school he falls into a crowd with his roommate.  One of their closest friends is a girl named Alaska.  The book follows his experience in his first year there and all the drama and fun that comes with boarding school.

What did I think?

I really liked this book. Again, it was quite depressing and after the pivotal part of the story I felt like there was quite a lot left and not sure how it would end.  When it all finished up I decided that I did like the end but for a while thought it would just be upsetting and sad the whole way through.  There were times in this book where I laughed and there were also touching moments.  I really enjoy his writing and although I’m not sure I’d act the way many of his teenage characters do I thoroughly enjoy reading his books.  This audio was great (as compared to the other book I listened to by him, which I though was very poorly narrated) and it kept my attention.

Who would I recommend it to?

This is first and foremost a young adult book.  But I could see it being one that can cross over to adults because the writing isn’t just aimed at young adults.  I think that is why I like his books.  The topics are a bit more young adult but the way the book reads doesn’t make me feel like I’m reading a quality level below what I should be reading.  I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good read, it is also pretty short a nice in between for longer books you may be reading.