Recap By Linda: August 2018

I have read so much books since starting this blog. Hopefully from going forward I can keep a detailed log but for now, I will list the books by year I read them with their rankings (1-5; 5 being best).

Books read from January to August 17, 2018:

Miss Peregrine's Home for Perculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - 5 Stars
I am deffinetly doing a vblog on this book or even a seperate post. But there are a few things I want to say here. 1) If you have not read it, what are you waiting for? 2) The movie sucked. 3) I actually been reading the series for a while way befor ethe movie came out I just didn't want to quite finish it becuase of how attached i am tothe characters. I don't want to let them go. But I finally decided to finish the third book: Library Of Souls because I got Tales of the Peculiar for chirstmas and want to read it this year. 4) when are they going to finish the graphic novels ... please hurry.
Time Quintet series by L'Engle Madeleine - rating varies by book
I listen to the audiobooks for all of the series. I wanted to watch the new 2018 A Wrinkle in Time movie but not before reading the book. Of all five books the (I have to get my hands on the sixth) I enjoyed the most, A Wrinkle in Time - 5 stars and Many Waters - 4 stars. The movie was good with a lot of visual effects but I also felt like 2003 Disney tv movie was slightly better. Granted the visual effects were not as advance as they are now. Also just want to mention that the first book was released in 1962 and it is remarkable for a time travel themed book.
I Remember You by Cathleen Davitt Bell - 3 Stars
Cute love story.
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling - rating varies by book
I know. It took me this long to read the most famous Harry Potter books. I am a Harry potter fan but i must admit I did see the movies first and looking at the larger books of Harry Potter intimidated me. So I listened to the audiobooks which is like listening to the movie but in better detail.
Yesterday's Savior by Keith Bliss - 4 Stars
This was such a good book on time travel., love the ending. Click here to check it out. Vblog coming soon.
I've Only got Three Hands by Sigal Adler - 3 stars
Cute children's book. Thought this will be funny to show my teenage stepdaughter ... it didn't help.
My Remarkable Little Monkey by Mark Lages - 5 Stars
This is a funny story about a talking moneky. Go read it now. Really go and then you can come back and finish this list.
Aristole and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz - 3 Stars
It was a nice story but something I will only read once. It's not a book I am keeping in my library. I will say that it did remind me of my first love, not necessary my first boyfriend love or lover. I am talking about the first love your form for someone outside your family. For me it reminded me of my best friend Mary. The love I have for her is as a sister.
Shitopia by Nathan Roth - 2 Stars
It had some funny stories but what killed it's raiiting is the humor on pedophiles. I don't find that funny.
Cool Salsa by Lore Marie Carlson - 2 stars
I think i expected a bit more from these poems. Maybe it's not menat for my generation.
Peluda by Melissa Lozada-Oliva - 3 stars
I also expected a bit more fromj thie book of peopels. After seeing a video of Melissa doing a reading on Button Peorty I just didn't get the same feeling for the rest of the book. However I will say I will never see my hair the same way.
Stormchaser by Cherry Adair - 4 stars
Kiss and Tell (5 stars) was my first book by Cherry Adair and my first romance novel. I lovced the action along with the romance. Stormcharser does not have as much action but have plenty enough to satsisfiy me. Being the 4the book in the Cutter Cay novel, expect to see more in my TBR.
Serafina and the Black Cloak - Robert Beatty - 5 stars
This book surprised me in how much ai like it. I am not a huge fan of characters that bring themselves down but because of Searfina's background and this mystery behind it made me really enjoy this book. The other two books are also on my TBR.
Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book by Jennifer Donnelly - 4 stars
I'll say for a Disney theme book it wasn't the greatest but still a very good book. Grnated at first I didn;t like how Donnelly made Bell character to be such a dumby but it worked out in the end.
Felita and Going Home by Nicholasa Mohr - 3 to 4 stars
Never have been to PR I was curious about Felita's journey. I did relate more to the first book Felita the discrimination she went through although not as strong still occurs. And I love the realtionship she had with her abuela. In Going Home I related to the way your own people can discurimate you for being Hispanic and not speaking your native language. Both were good books
The Resecue at Dead Dog Beach by Steven McGarva - 5 stars
Another book based in Puerto Rico. If you have any kind of kindness in you prepare to cry while reading this book. It so super sad but this true story needed to be told. The issue still has not gone away there are so many stray dogs not only in PR but all over the world. Why peopel treat them poorly I can not understand.
Lee and His Giant Ear by Leela Hope - 4 stars
Children's book. I was made fun of as a child. They called me dumbo. I was curious to see what this book was about. It was funny and a cute way to get your child to clean their ears.I don't like things near my ears and not because of being made fun of but when I was littlea bug crawled into my ear. My mom had to drown it out. The creepy crawling sound still bugs me and I never lay my head on grass without something under my head ever since.
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard - 4 stars
I was reading this book with my brother but It was so good I could not wait for him to be available to finish reading it. I will do a vblog once I finish the rest of the series in my TBR.
Fairest of All: A tale of the Wicked Queen by Serena Valentino - 3 stars
Another Disney book. I was really looking forward to this book but was just a bit disappointed. I am not a fan of books where characters bring themselves down. I was expecting more from the movie Malcecifent type of feel but the book had me dislike the Evil Queen. I just didn't like how she felt about herself which I understand is Valentino's version of why she becamse evil. I just feel there should have been more on the relationship between her father. Just more to fully understand why looks were that important to hurt the ones you love. I just needed more. Teh other Villans stories by Serena is still on my TBR.
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill - 4 Stars
I like the feeling of this book but sad to see it end.
Eliza and her Monsters by Francesca Zappia - 4 stars
I really like this book. All happy good feelings. No, that's not true. It made me cry, scared for the character, sad and a bit angry. Now that's a good book or what? Alos pplan on doing a vblog or sepreate post on this book.

Books read in 2016/2017:

The Fallen Series by Lauren Kate - 5 Stars I had to reread this series for two main reasons. One being I aboslutely love it. This series is the reason I fell back in love with reading. Two I decided it was time to read the last book (5) Unforgiven and so I reread all 4 books - not including Fallen in Love to recap before going to into Unforgiven. I am currently taking my time with the e-book: Angels in the Dark. Also a side note. The movie was great no disappointments can't wait for the next one.
Teardrop and Waterfall by Lauren Kate - 5 Stars
This two book series is another great work of Lauren Kate.
The Syrena Legacy by Anna Banks - 5 Stars
I finally read Of Poseidon and the other two books in this series. I love mermaid books and this is one of my favorites. Well written book.
As Old As Time (A Twisted Tale Series) by Liz Braswell - 5 Stars - View on Amazon
I am a Disney Child through and through and your going to see alot of Disney themed books here. This one is so far my favorite verison of Beauty and the Beast. There is even a tshirt design in the works thanks to this book.
The Nine Lives of Chloe King series by Liz Braswell and Celia Thomson- 4 Stars
Didn't really read in 2016 but since I mentioned Liz I figure I squeeze this in: The first books I read by Liz Braswell picked up after watching the ABC Family (now known as Freeform) tv show. If you enjoyed the show then I recommend reading the books; at least the books have an ending.
Bruiser by Neal Shusterman - 5 Stars
If your looking for a unique interesting story, pick this one up.
Unwind Series by Neal Shusterman - 4 Stars
Also probably didn't read in 2016 but since I mentioned Bruiser, another good read by Neal Shisterman is the Unwind series. I don't own copies of these books but they are the kind of books you want to read once. I found them a little bit disturbing only because it seems so real or should I say plausible. I still find myself talking about it with others from time to time. Funny thing about my stepdaughter who is a mix raced child is the coloration of her skin along her front and arms. Almost as if she was sown together. Read the books and you'll see why it's creepy.
The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom - 4 Stars
I read Mitch Albom's book Tuesdays with Mooriewhile in high school and enjoyed it very much. I thought let me try another of his works. The Time Keeper did not disappoint. It's a short great read.
Reincarnation Blues by Michael Poore - 4 Stars
I enjoyed this book. I am a true believe of reincarnation and thought this book was creative.
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket - rating differ by book
I have never read this series as a child but I did see the movie with Jim Carrey. I started reading the firts few books after my stepdaughter was reading them from her schools library. I didn't quite finish the 13 series book before she graduated so I am still in the works on finishing the series. Side note: The Netflix show is pretty good as well.
Everything Everything by Nicala Yoon - 3 Stars
Cute story. I actually listen to the audiobook on this one. I saw the movie after reading the book. The movie was well made and did not differ from the book.
The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas - 4 Stars
Well written and series topic especially for this generation.
The Day Santa Stopped Believing in Harold by Maureen Fergus - 4 Stars
I love this children's book and plan on doing a vblog soon.
Written in the Stars by Aisha Seed - 4 Stars
Serious short read. Keeps you interested from begining to end. Read in a day as apart of 2017 BookTubeAthon.
Yada Yada House of Hope series by Neta Jackson - 5 Stars
I listen to the audiobooks and it tooks some time to finish the series because I couldn't find a portable cd player but it was a great story full that made me feel angry, happy and sad in every chapter. Not much a religious person but still would recommend.
Fallen Angel: Dawn of Reckoning by J.L. Myers - 5 Stars
After reading this short book I quickly bought the rest of the Blood Bound Origins Novella ebooks off Amazon (which is on my TBR list). I am a big fan of angels and vampires, werewolves. This book suit me well.
Down the Rabbit Hole by Juan Pablo Villalobos - 3 Stars
An ok story that you can read in a day.
Shatter Me byTahereh Mafi - 2 Stars
I read this during teh 2017 Booktubeathon and found it a little bit of interesting. The story line is good but i just didn't like the way the romance was written. I feel like I could continue with the series but not anytime soon. Do you think I should read them?
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher - 4 Stars
I think everyone or most people know about this book thanks to Netflix. I however did listen to the audio before the Netflix series came out. This is one of those books that the audio is great to listen to as opposed to reading yourself. It's a serious topic and well written.
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness - 5 Stars
A lovely story that also made into a movie but the book gives you way more feelings than the movie does.
Storm Front by Jim Butcher - 5 Stars
This Dresden Files book 1 is great for Halloween. There are way too many books in this series but I do have book two Fool Moon in my TBR.
The Fifth Assasin by Brad Meltzer - 5 Stars
Second book of the Culper Ring. Yeah I read the second book before the first which is not dependant on each other. I love the way Brad Meltzer writes. The details, humor and action is great for a "political" themed book. I am currently reading Culper Ring 1: The Inner Circle.
Alantia by Ally Condie - 5 Stars
I love the mystery behind Atalantis and this book is one of the best in this topic under fiction.
Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard - ratings vary
Another early series I read earlies in 2016 but worth mentioning. I got into this series becuase of the well known tv show on ABC Family (aka Freeform). I needed to know what happens quicker than the tv show but the two are related by don't coexist. Simular to Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith the show is way better than the books. I read PLL series I belive up untill I want to say the 8th book Wicked where you find out who the second A is. The other books that cam e after felt like too much but I might pick them up again. What do you think, are they worth the read?
The Lying Game series by Sara Shepard - 4 Stars
I actually enjoyed this series more than the PLL books. Also turned into a tv show but the show was cut off before the ending. Which is the reason I picked up the books. The show and the book are different right from the begining because the twins never met. I actually reread the firts book to my stepdaughter this year.
The New Girlfriend and other stories by Ruth Rendell - 3 Stars
Most of these short stories in this collection are interesting. Another good book for October.
Swan Song by Robert R. McCammon - 5 Star
I actually read this around 2007 but I love this book and believe everyone should read it at least once. I plan on re-reading and doing a vblog on this one as well.

Recap By Linda

Friday, August 17, 2018

Currently Reading

Books I read lately