"FOUR" by Veronica Roth

FOUR—A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth is written from FOUR’s perspective and gives his background and view on things.  It’s been quite a while since I finished reading the Divergent series so It was enjoyable to read this book for me.  It brought back lots of good memories.  My favorite part of this book was reading about FOUR’s initiation into Dauntless.  Also, this book gave me a greater appreciation for the Abnegation faction.  I recommend this to anyone who has finished the series:  Divergent, Insurgent and Allegiant.  
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

Are You a Booktuber? Now I Am!

In March I made a huge discovery!  Thanks to my friend Camilla, I saw her post about her new channel on Facebook called Our Bookish Obsession and checked it out.  She is very nice and is doing it together with a friend which is different than most.  I encourage you to check out her videos.

I found on YouTube there is a whole lot of people who make videos about books.  They discuss books, come up with fun book tags (in blogland they were called mimis), give tours of their bookshelves and all sorts of book-related videos.  The community is called BookTube and I am now officially a Booktuber.  If you are a booktuber, please leave a link to your channel or a specific one of your videos in the comments below so I can visit you! 

In trying to find other Booktubers, I discovered a whole group on Twitter using #booktube and #booktubers.  Not only that, but one of the booktubers told me there is a group on Goodreads and I can even post my channel link there.  Of course, I'd love for you to visit my channel and leave a comment or even subscribe!  You can find my channel on YouTube by putting in kzemek in the search box.  Currently, I have a giveaway going on through April 22.


I am still in the process of finding the best place and setup for taping my videos.  We do not get a lot of sunlight in Cleveland before I go to work and in the evenings so lighting is my biggest challenge in making my videos.  I am also experimenting on getting the right distance from the camera and getting it at the right height but I'll get there pretty soon, I hope. 


This has given me new inspiration for doing videos.  I am currently working on doing a "Divergent" book tag and hope to get that taped and edited this weekend for LionsandTigersandbooksohmy.

This post is in response to Mama's Losin' It's Writer's Workshop prompt:  Share something you learned in March.  Why not go check out her prompts and link up too?

Happy Reading!

"Survivors--Storm of dogs" by Erin Hunter

Survivors--Storm of Dogs by Erin Hunter is about a group of dogs called the "Wild Pack."  They live a good happy life and they all have their role to play to help the pack.  They live in fear of another pack of dogs called "The Fierce Dogs" who are killers.

This is a fantastic read!  The writing is very well done and the interaction between the dogs in the Wild Pack is really good.  It's a page turner and I enjoyed the action in it very much as well as the ending!  I certainly plan to read more by this author!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Deadly Echoes" by Nancy Mehl was Disappointing

Deadly Echoes by Nancy Mehl is about two sisters, Hannah and Sarah, whose parents were murdered but the case was closed saying it was a burglary gone awry.  The girls got separated and when the older girl was 18, she tried to get the cops to re-open the case and look at it as a murder.  Then years later, Hannah is murdered and there are similarities to her parents' murder which the younger sister, Sarah, sees and then once again, the case is closed with it classified as a burglary and the burglar hanging himself in jail.  Sarah, who is a single school teacher in a rural community, becomes the guardian of Cicely, Hannah's ten-yr.-old daughter who was at a sleepover when her mother was killed.

I had high hopes for this book but was disappointed in the writing.  It moved along very slowly, the only suspense was at the very end and I had figured out who the murder was.  This is one of those Christian fiction books that just was not well developed and I didn't care for it.  There was a self-esteem theme running through it; however, it fell flat for me.  I finished it but just having read two really good books, this was a big let down.  If you like a slow moving, kind of cozy mystery, then you may like this one.
(Karen's review, 2 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: 3 For You

Gerard's:

In the same instant, they must've heard us, because all three turned and stared right at us.  Silence hung in the air for a split-second.

From page 18 of Lucy Come Home by Dave and Neta Jackson (click link to see my review)

But Lucky knew the Wild Dogs couldn't rest.  While Blade and the attack-dogs were out there, his Pack would always be in danger.

 From page 9 of Survivors--Storm of Dogs by Erin Hunter. 

Karen's: 

If the person who murdered my parents had come back for Hannah, how could I be sure he was through?  Was Cicely next?  Or me?

 From page 53 of Deadly Echoes by Nancy Mehl. 

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading.


Happy Reading!

"Lucy Come Home" by Dave and Neta Jackson

Lucy Come Home is about a young boy who is part of a carnival that goes from town to town.  One day he gets to meet a young girl that he falls for.  They get along well until an incident causes them to have to run out of town.  I enjoyed this book very much.  It had a good pace and kept me interested throughout.  Well worth your time to read it.
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"The Secret Game" by Scott Ellsworth

I always enjoy reading about true stories and events that I knew nothing about.  The Secret Game by Scott Ellsworth is one of those.  It tells of events that took place in the south in the 1940s.  It is about racial relations to be sure.  It also captures the feeling of certain people that I really enjoyed.  It also has to do with Duke University which I am a big fan of.  I especially enjoyed the parts that covered the game.  Well Done!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Cold Fear" by Rick Mofina - Girl Lost in the Woods Hoping to Survive

Cold Fear by Rick Mofina, a former crime reporter, is about Doug and Emily from San Francisco who take their family on a camping trip to a National Park located in Montana and Canada.  The majority of the book is about them being interrogated by the FBI when their 10-yr. old daughter, Paige and her Beagle dog turn up missing.  They went looking for her mother in the woods when her father was angrily chopping wood, cut his hand and didn’t want to talk to her.  Her dog went off the path after a chipmunk and she followed, but he didn’t come back so she just kept looking for him, going farther and farther off the path and getting lost in bear country.  Search and Rescue teams, forest rangers, and police all go looking for her.  Reporters come on the scene and the FBI shows up to investigate the parents who were the last ones to see her.  What they dig up is a lot of information that makes it look very bad for the parents.

This was an interesting read for me because of how it was written.  Usually, things happen and the reader is kept in the dark, wondering along with law enforcement officials what really happened.  However, in this book, the reader gets to know right from the start what really happened—that the parents are telling the truth.  Consequently, the reader is sympathetic towards the parents and the FBI agents look like bad guys harassing them during their crisis.  The author switched from the search and rescue, the FBI investigation, the reporters trying to get the story, the convict scheduled to be executed for murder of a little girl in the same park 22 years ago, and Paige’s frightening time in the woods. 

I enjoyed reading this book but didn’t think it was very believable.  The author certainly gives a comprehensive picture of the news event of the lost girl, but by including so many people, it was difficult at times to keep track of everyone.   

(Karen's review, 4 stars)

I made a COLD FEAR Booktube video about this one.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Inherit Midnight" by Kate Kae Myers

Inherit Midnight by Kate Kae Myers is about a young girl named Riley.  She is at a school that is not of her choosing.  Her mom and dad are nowhere to be seen in her life.  Her grandmother watches over her.  Riley tries to escape from school but gets caught--all is lost.  But wait, her grandmother comes up with a challenge that could turn her whole life around.  It is going to be hard and long, but she must win!  Will she?

I liked Riley from the get go and the other characters in the book are fine by me too.  There is good action that kept my interest.  If there is a sequel, I will be on it!  Give this a chance, you will be glad you did!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Four Today

Gerard's:
I couldn't do my homework.  I couldn't focus.
From page 46 of Aquarium by David Vann (click link to see my review)

"I guess you'll get your wish, since tomorrow morning there's a meeting for your entire family.  It's at our law office and starts at nine>

 From page 23 of Inherit Midnight by Laura Van Den Berg.  (Review posted tomorrow.)

Karen's: 

This was the place where Mommy said her monster dwelled!Shut up, Page!

From Kindle location 264 of Cold Fear by Rick Mofina.

When she said the words foster care, a chill ran through me.  But the woman assured me this was one of their best homes and that Cicely was doing as well as could be expected.

From page 23 of Deadly Echoes by Nancy Mehl.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading.

Happy Reading!

"Aquarium" by David Vann is Amazon's Book of the Month for March

Aquarium by David Vann is a story about a young girl named Caitlin.  She lives with her mom and every day after school she goes to the aquarium to see the fish and wait for her mom.  One day an old man befriends her and they form a relationship.  When the mother finds out who this man is, the book takes off.

I am conflicted on how I view this book.  The main story is really, really good with a WOW ending and action galore; however, there is a secondary story line that I did not care for.
(Gerard's review, 4.75 stars)  

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

We Both Liked "The Silent Sister" by Diane Chamberlain (Updated)

In The Silent Sister, Riley believes her older sister killed herself as a teenager.  Twenty years later she finds evidence that this is not true.  As Riley seeks the truth, she will be hit with some things that will shake all the truths she did believe.  

This book rocks!  It's all good but as slowly the secrets and lies come out into the open you as a reader are wowed.  LOVED IT A LOT!
(Gerard's review 3/26/15 5++ stars)

The Silent Sister starts out a bit slow with Riley getting her father's house ready to sell after his death.  Boy, did this bring back memories for me though having gone through this process with my dad.  I could certainly identify with her through this process.  The story picks up when Riley believes her older sister may not have committed suicide many years ago but may actually be alive somewhere and begins her search.

During this time, the author gives us a look at what's been happening with Lisa, Riley's older sister, who is a fugitive because she was charged with murder and faked her death to avoid prison when she was 17.  I couldn't help pulling for Lisa even though her younger brother, Danny, thought she should pay for what she did--not only for committing murder but also for ruining their family.
 
I realize you may think I've given spoilers here, but I haven't.  There are lots of surprises in this book and I loved how the author developed them gradually.  This book is not only about family secrets, but about the extent parents go to protect their children and how one event can tear a family apart.  I really liked this book which was no surprise to me because I also liked The Secret Life of Cee Cee Wilkes and Necessary Lies, and The Midwife's Confession by Diane Chamberlain.  If you like stories about family drama and lots of twists and turns, you'll enjoy this one, I'm sure!  I'd certainly recommend this one for a book club read. 
(Karen's review 3/23/15, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"The Black Stallion Mystery" by Walter Farley was Disappointing

The Black Stallion Mystery by Walter Farley is about someone trying to kill the horse out of revenge.  I was confused and slightly bored with this book.  It was such a letdown to me after loving the first book in this series, The Black Stallion.  It made no sense to me why Alec and Henry took Black over to Spain in a plane in the first place to look for Black's sire.  I would not recommend this book, although a kid might like the part when Alec pokes around in the castle and the chase in the mountains with Black.  The horse actually had a very small part in this book.
(Karen's review, 2 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Find Me" by Laura Van Den Berg

Find Me is about a young girl named Joy.  She has no one to confide in at all.  What she does have is a troubled past and an addiction to cough syrup.  When a sickness spreads through the land, Joy is immune to it and that gains her admission to a hospital.  There she goes through tests and then she breaks out of the hospital to find her mom who abandoned her as a baby.

I found this to be pretty good.  I am not sure I would call this a page turner, but it did keep my interest.  The way it ends leaves open to a second book I would probably read.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday

Gerard's:

And watching the two vehicles cut sharp rights onto Schofield, the street the graveyard entrance was on, I felt my legs buckling, collapsing beneath me.  I dropped first to my knees, then to all fours, the shock of certainty hitting me:  Nica was dead.

From page 15 of Dark Rooms by Lili Anolik (click link to see my review)

I wish I had a way to talk to him, to ask why he came, to tell him no one is going to help him here.  I don't think it's right to watch these people suffer, even if it's a suffering they have chosen.

 From page 10 of Find Me by Laura Van Den Berg.  (Review posted tomorrow.)

Karen's: 

I never forgot my mother's words about Lisa feeling unhappy and thinking she'd never feel happy again.  I thought about that every time I counseled a depressed kid.  I thought about it every time I felt unhappy, reminding myself I would one day be happy again.

From page 50 of The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain. (Great book, see my review)

Like a black thunderbolt the bull charged, the rush of his great body shaking the earth and stirring up a sudden gust of wind.  Alec twisted away to avoid the horns seeking his flesh.

From page 40 of The Black Stallion Mystery by Walter Farley.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading.

Happy Reading!

"Dark Rooms" by Lili Anolik Could Use More Action

Dark Rooms by Lili Anolik is about two sisters, Nica and Grace.  Nica turns up dead and the killer is found, case closed.  But Grace is not buying it and dedicates her life to finding and hurting her sister's killer. 

I found this book to be pretty good but lacking in action.  The story kept my interest and liked the surprise ending.  It's well worth reading!
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Vanishing Girls" by Lauren Oliver is Good But . . .

Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver tells the story of sisters, Dara and Nick.  They hang around with each other and are close until a car accident has consequences for both of them.  This novel is told by both sisters and I liked them both.  It is good and kept my interest throughout; however, would have preferred a different ending.  That being said, Vanishing Girls is very readable and I think you would enjoy it.
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!