Books I Finished in One Sitting (or close)

I did this video for Top 5 Wednesdays, a Goodreads group.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on it and what books you finished in just one sitting (or close) in a comment.  Hope you will check out my YouTube channel.

Have you read any of these? What did you think? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"What the Dog Said" by Randi Reisfeld

What the Dog Said by Randi Reisfeld is a fun little YA read about a 13-yr-old girl, Grace, who is grieving the death of her father who was a cop and was shot on his way to her softball game. When they go to pick out a shelter dog to train as a service dog, she pics a mutt named Rex who actually talks to her! The plan was for her sister to be able to write about training a service dog for her college entrance essay. When Grace hears the dog talk, she wonders if she’s going crazy, but Rex helps her resolve the mystery of who shot her dad and helps her through a difficult time.

This is a good story about doing the right thing even if it’s hard. It’s a quick, enjoyable read that also shows what service dogs get trained to do and the different people service dogs can help—they are not only for the blind!
(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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Finders Keepers" by Stephen King is a GREAT READ!

Finders Keepers by Stephen King is listed as one of PEOPLE Magazine's best books of the summer and they are right! 

Morris Bellamy loves the main character in his favorite author's books.  The author has not come out with a new book in years, and Morris is upset and decides to take matters in his own hands.  Morris kills his favorite author, steals some of his money and the notebooks that contain some unpublished work and hides the money and notebooks before he gets jailed and sentenced to life.  When he is paroled 35 years later, he cannot find either the money or the notebooks.  Who took them?  What did they do with them?   Does Morris come after whoever took them?

This is a great read, I LOVED IT from the start and it got better as it went along.  Vintage King! This is the sequel to Mr. Mercedes which I also liked.
(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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: 5 Today!

Gerard's:

I was shot or tried to harm myself.  My ear is gone.

From page 16 of Remember Mia by Alexandra Burt.

Better than cancer or Alzheimer's, that prime horror of anyone who has spent his life making a living by his wits.  Of course there would be headlines, and I'd gotten plenty of those even before that damned Time story . . . but if he pulls the trigger, I won't have to read them.

From page 27 of Finders Keepers by Stephen King.

Karen's: 

"Did you hear that?" I asked Regan.

"She didn't," the dog assured me, standing now, his tail wagging like a hairy propeller.

 From page 5 of What the Dog Said by Randi Reisfeld.

I'd hardly nodded before he gave the sled a huge push.  To say that we flew down the hill on that old coffee table balanced on skis, would be an understatement.

From page 68 (Loc. 689 on Kindle) of Lost No More by Cee Cee James.

We are dependent on God and dependent on one another.  I just couldn't see it until I was blind.

From page 14 of Hope Unseen--The Story of the U.S. Army's First blind Active-Duty Officer by Captain Scotty Smiley with Doug Crandall.

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!

Military Books for Flag Day Video

To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading! Subscribe to my YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/user/kzemek

"The Cage" by Megan Shepherd was a bit Disappointing

The Cage by Megan Shepherd is about six teens snatched from earth and plopped into some space station called “the Cage” to be studied and tested, kind of like lab rats. Their habitat consists of a desert, a farm, a jungle, an ocean, and a town with fake buildings that has things similar to those on earth but from different time periods. There are black screens everywhere so they can be watched and only three rules.

I liked the premise, but was disappointed in the ending and felt betrayed just as the characters did. Cora, a 16-yr-old girl who is a senator’s daughter did not appeal to me and was the main character. The others were Rolf, Nok, Mali, Leon and Lucky. This science fiction/fantasy novel is about manipulation, the fight for humanity, some romance and betrayal.

I liked it okay in that it kept my interest and I did like most of the characters, but the ending was very disappointing to me and I had a hard time relating to the main character because she reacted completely different than I would in that situation.
(Karen's review, 3 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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Undertow" by Michael Buckley

Undertow by Michael Buckley is a YA novel but not what I expected which in this case is a good thing! It takes place on Coney Island. Lyric, a young teen girl, is put into a tough spot when she is picked to tutor fathom, the head of new race that are called Alpha. Not everyone is on board with having them in their high school with their kids.

I really enjoyed the character of Lyric. She pretty much carries the book and that is fine by me. There is a good twist at the end that I sort of saw coming, but liked it anyway. I don’t know if I would go so far as to call this a page turner, but I enjoyed it and will continue with the series. (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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"World After" by Susan Ee is a Real Page Turner!

World After by Susan Ee picks up where Angel Fall ends.  The angels have taken over the earth and the humans that are left are trying to fight back.  I love the lead character in this book--Penryn Rooks.  World After answers a few of the questions from book 1 and sets the stage for book 3.  It's a real page turner that I read in just two days.  I loved it just as much as Angel Fall and will be reading the third in this series.
(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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Orient" by Christopher Bollen

Orient by Christopher Bollen is about a small town, peaceful and quiet, the way the townspeople like it.  They resent the outsiders who come for the summer.  Suddenly, people who lived in Orient are dying and it is not from old age!  Is there a murderer in their midst?  Who and why people want to know.

This book is over 600 pages and at times, it kind of drags, but do not let that stop you from reading it.  This is a really good story and you will enjoy following the characters.  If you can figure it out, then you are a step ahead of me.  This is a page turner (except for the dragging part).  The ending leaves it open for a sequel, but this book could be a stand alone.
(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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Orient, Undertow, World After and The Bullet

Gerard's:

Still, the threat of being caught is always there, and I must keep going, as quietly as planes overhead, something moving at a terrible speed out of the corner of your eye and gone by the time you look again.

From page 6 of Orient by Christopher Bollen. (review up tomorrow)

My father goes to his room and returns with his gun.  While I eat cereal, he checks the clip to see that it's loaded, reinserts it, and clicks off the safety.

From page 15 of Undertow by Michael Buckley.

Demonic wings spread out above his head.  Light glints off the curved hooks, sliding down the edge of his wings as he stalks his prey.

From page 21 of World After by Susan Ee.

Karen's: 

I stared at him.  Those were the most frightening words I'd heard yet.

 From page 21 of The Bullet by Mary Louise Kelly.

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!

"Ender's Shadow" by Orson Scott Card

Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card is actually a parallel book to Ender's Game with the main character in this one being Bean.   Bean is a street kid that a nun befriended and recommended to the space Battle School.  Bean is very small and only 4 years old but has advanced intelligence when he gets into the school.

It is interesting how Bean views things and how his leadership skills develop.  I really liked his strong sense of teamwork and how he would get people to work together.  I loved Ender's Game and so it was fun reading about Ender some more, this time from someone else's viewpoint.  I highly recommend this book if you liked Ender's Game.  I gave this 4 stars only because I liked Ender's Game a bit better but that may be just because I read that one first so I had a clue what was going to happen next as I read Ender's Shadow.
(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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"The Bullet" by Mary Louise Kelly--Differing Opinions on This One

The Bullet by Mary Louise Kelly is told by Caroline Cashion, a professor at Georgetown University.  Her wrist is giving her a lot of pain, but when she goes for a MRI, she discovers that she has a bullet in her neck!  When she asks her parents about it, the shocking truth comes out.  Here is a teaser from the jacket cover:

You think you know someone.  But then one day you find yourself running.  Really running, lungs burning, legs churning.  Too frightened to stop and look back.  It turns out I have been running my whole life.  I just never knew it.

This story is told very well.  I think it is a real page turner and the last part of the book has a twist that you will not see coming.  I LOVED IT!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Karen's review (3 stars):
The Bullet by Mary Louise Kelly is a contemporary mystery about a 37-yr-old woman, Caroline, who just learns that she has a bullet lodged in her neck near her spinal cord and that she was adopted. She has no recollection of her birth parents or of being shot. She grew up with a nice couple that she thought of as her parents all her life with a couple brothers. She is a professor at Georgetown University but her life is turned upside down when she receives this news. The story focuses on her search for the truth about what happened to her birth parents in Atlanta, how the bullet got in her neck, and the choices she makes based on the information she digs up. I found this pretty slow moving although the premise was intriguing. This mystery sort of plods along but the surprise ending makes the read worth it.

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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Linking up with Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop for writing a book review.

"AngelFall" by Susan Ee

"Angelfall" by Susan Ee takes place after the Apocalypse.  Penryn, her sister Paige and their mom are still on Earth.  One day they come across a group of angels who are running the Earth now.  One angel is left behind while Penryn's sister is taken away.  Penryn will do anything to get her back.  She forms a relationship with the left behind angel named Raffe.

Wow, this book is good!  I LOVED IT!  The relationship between Penryn and Raffe is so good.  This book has good action and a very good ending!  There is a book two.

Thanks to PolandBananasBooks on Youtube for turning me on to this one.
(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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday

Gerard's:

The man spent ten years inside.  One more day and he's a free man, but instead he makes himself a fugitive.

From page 14 of Life or Death by Michael Bobotham. (Click link for review)

Wake up!  What are they doing to my sister?  What do they want with her?

From page 25 of Angel Fall by Susan Ee.

Karen's: 

"Ron, how did you--What the ___?"
Harry's mouth fell open as the full impact of what he was seeing hit him. 

From page 24 of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling.

"Keep him until he's five.  Make of him what you can and show me your results then."

 From page 57 of Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card.

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.

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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Life or Death" by Michael Robotham if FANTASTIC!

Life or Death by Michael Robotham is about Audie, a man to be released from prison soon, but the day before that happens he breaks out!  Why?  Thus begins a fantastic book!  Audie was in prison for a robbery--the $7 million stolen is still not accounted for but everyone knows Audi must have it somewhere.  The search for the money and Audie is on!

I LOVED this book because there is plenty of action that made this a page turner with a great ending too!  It got my interest from the start.
(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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Seeing Home--The Ed Lucas Story" by Ed and Christopher Lucas

Seeing Home--The Ed Lucas Story (A Blind Broadcaster's Story of Overcoming Life's Greatest Obstacles) by Ed and Christopher Lucas is non-fiction.  Ed Lucas is the man--what a story he tells!  At a young age, he loved baseball!  Then a tragedy happened:  he got hit in the face with a baseball and lost his sight.  He decided if he could not play that he would become a broadcaster.  How can a blind man broadcast a game?  You will have to read the book to find out the answer.  He had his dream and with help of a loving family, it came through.  He even got married at home plate in Yankee stadium!  Ed is a real hero to people with disabilities.
(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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"God Never Blinks--50 Lessons for Life's Little Detours" by Regina Brett

God Never Blinks—50 Lessons for Life’s Little Detours by Regina Brett is a collection of Regina’s thoughts she wrote in her newspaper columns that were quite popular with readers. It has very short chapters so it is a quick little read but full of great advice from someone who felt neglected growing up, held various jobs, and is a Cancer survivor. It is an inspirational read I enjoyed. I liked that all 50 lessons are listed right in front in the Table of Contents.
(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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"A Deadly Wandering" by Matt Richtel - Pulitzer Prize Winner

A Deadly Wandering--A Tale of Tragedy and Redemption in the Age of Attention by Matt Richtel tells the true story of Reggie Shaw.  One morning while driving, he got into a car accident.  One car with two men in it were killed.  There was a third car involved also.  When the accident was investigated, Reggie was blamed for causing it.  the cops said he was texting while driving.  Reggie does not remember it that way at all.

This is a great book!  It covers the people that were affected by this accident, how Reggie dealt with it and how the authorities built their case against Reggie.  This book isn't a "page turner," but it kept my interest.
(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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Tidal" by Amanda Hocking (3rd book of Watersong Series)

"Tidal" by Amanda Hocking is more about Gemma, the mermaid who wants to end the curse and get back to being a normal human being.  Her and her sister research mythology to see if they can figure out how to end the curse while she puts a spell on her boyfriend to make him hate her in order to protect him from the other sirens.  Harper struggles with a big decision about going to college to become a doctor as planned or staying to try to help Gemma.  Harper asks her boyfriend, Daniel, to protect Gemma since he's immune to the siren's song.  Penn, the head siren, is attracted to Daniel and they strike up a deal.

I was really looking forward to getting through this book to end the series and then found out there's still one more to go--Elegy.  This book really started to drag for me.  The mythology stuff was very boring to me and I just found myself plowing through it.  I don't think I'm going to bother with the final one in this series.  If I had known this was going to be all about mythological curses, I would never have started the series.       
(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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday--Four Today

Gerard's:
I'll be right up, honey."  She turned to Adam.  "Tomorrow," she whispered to him.

From page 89 of The Stranger by Harlan Coben. (Click link for our review)

My brother is still fighting, and his screams slice right through me.  I know then that I will hear them over and over again, echoing in every hour of every day until I am dead or I make it right.

From page 19 of An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. (Review up tomorrow.)


Karen's: 

"I'm already looking for your replacement.  It's only a matter of time before you're dead."

 From page 40 of Tidal by Amanda Hocking (3rd book of the Watersong Series).

What's your next right step?  Whatever it is, take it.

 From page 14 of God Never Blinks--50 Lessons for Life's Little Detours by Regina Brett.


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.

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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Some Military Books For You for Memorial Day!

I thought it would be nice to recommend some military books I enjoyed for Memorial Day. Only eight are mentioned in this video, but additional ones are listed below:

We both liked:

Nubs--A Mutt, a Marine, a Miracle by Major Brian Dennis (children's nonfiction picture book)
Tuesday Tucks Me In by Captain Luis Carlos Montalvan (children's nonfiction picture book)
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo (Children's book, sad but very good!)

Gerard liked but I did not read:

Until Tuesday by Captain Luis Carlos Montalvan about him and his service dog, Tuesday.
Horse Soldiers by Doug Stanton
Black Hearts by Jim Frederick
Into the Fire by Dakota Meyer (audio book)
Black Hawk Down by Mark Bowden (sorry no review but he LOVED IT.  Read before we were putting his reviews online).

What military books have you read that you liked?

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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"The Stranger" by Harlan Coben is a Page Turner!

The Stranger by Harlan Coben is a unique concept for a thriller.  A stranger comes up to you and tells you a secret about one of your loved ones that you did not know, and it's a bombshell.  Not only that, but he has evidence that he gives you to back it up!  That is the main story line in this book about Adam and his wife, Corinne.  Adam confronts her and she takes off telling him she will be back in a few days.  The other sub plots in the book are also really good with a surprise ending for me.  Don't let this book get past you--it is very good!  I LOVED 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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"The Giver" by Lois Lowry Makes One Grateful

I heard quite a bit about The Giver by Lois Lowry on Booktube so that’s why I decided to read it. It’s quite an interesting YA read that shows what can happen to a society where the government removes the freedom of making personal choices. It’s hard to imagine a world with no colors, music, emotions or love in it but that is the world Jonas lives in. Sameness is the highest value. He is perfectly okay with it until he gets some memories from the past that show what emotions feel like and experiences new things.

The themes in this book are the importance of love and humanity. It also shows the need of balancing security with freedom which is a current issue in America today. I enjoyed this book but was a bit stunned at how it ended--it seemed so abrupt. I would not want to live in the type of community Jonas lived in.
(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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"The Infinite Sea" by Rick Yancey

The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey is the second book in The 5th Wave series. It continues with more of the Evan Walker mystery, adding Grace who grew up with Evan and Megan, a toddler with an implanted bomb. Cassie, Sammy, Zombie, Poundcake, Ringer, Dumbo and Teacup are back to hiding and trying to survive. Friction arises and they fight among themselves, Ringer goes to scout and Teacup follows her. They both get captured and then the story centers on Ringer and Razor.

This book drags along with everyone on the run. There’s some fighting and a great escape, but for the most part, I was bored with it and just wanted it to end, which it really didn’t because there is still one more book in the series. A lot of this made no sense to me and I hate how it jumps back and forth between characters narrating without letting me know who is talking at the beginning. I just got tired of reading this but will try to finish the series. This is mostly a depressing book.
(Karen's review, 3 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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"What Comes Next and How to Like It" by Abigail Thomas (Memoir)

What Comes Next and How to Like It by Abigail Thomas is a collection of outlooks by the author.  Some I enjoyed, especially the ones about her dogs (she has a lot); some not so much. Most of the book is about her friend, Chuck.  I liked this book somewhat.  I would say it is worth reading to be sure.
(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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Enjoyed "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling is a fun read! This is the first book of a long series that I finally decided to read because so many people liked it. This is about a boy named Harry Potter who is a wizard, but didn’t realize it. When both his parents died, he went to live with his aunt and uncle who were strictly ordinary humans. Harry gets accepted into Hogwarts when he is 10 years old, a private school for wizardry and witchcraft. This is why I put off reading this series for so long. but decided to read it for myself before condemning it. This is an enjoyable read dealing with bullying, adventure, friendship and courage with a surprise ending.

I still don’t think I would want my child reading it because it does glamorize the world of witchcraft. As a Christian, to be honest, I struggle with whether I should be reading this series. There is no doubt that it is entertaining and amusing. I actually laughed out loud at parts and like the funny names of the characters. When the professor became a cat at the beginning of the story, I was hooked! The school supply list cracked me up and I especially enjoyed the part when Harry was learning to fly on the broomstick. I thought the invisible cloak would be a cool thing to have and liked the idea of the owls as mail carriers! The sorting ceremony with the talking hat reminded me of the old cartoon, Tom Terrific, and the part in Divergent where the teens choose what faction they want. For me, the characters and all the amusing things is what kept me reading more so than the plot.
 (Karen'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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Four Today

Gerard's:
 She recognizes her terror has less to do with Ted and more to do with her childhood.  Anger instantly sees her regressing to a small child, cowering in fear, helpless and hopeless in the face of a fury that has nothing to do with her.

From page 52 of Saving Grace by Jane Green. (Click link for our review)

When Bill asked why she clipped these articles, she shrugged and turned her back on him, a gesture she'd inaugurated early in their marriage that was as unsuccessful now as it always had been.  Rather than make him try harder, it made him give up.

From page 29 of The Children's Crusade by Ann Packer. (Click link for our review)


Karen's: 

He couldn't kill that little boy.  No one knows why, or how, but they're saying that when he couldn't kill Harry Potter, Voldemort's power somehow broke--and that's why he's gone.

 From page 15 of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling.

"We have to chance it, and you know we can't go in blind," I go on.  "The odds are there're other survivors hiding in those caves and they may not be ready to throw out the welcome mat, especially if they've met any of Sullivan's Silencers."

From page 4 of The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey (Book 2 in The 5th Wave Series).

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!

"The Children's Crusade" by Ann Packer

The Children's Crusade by Ann Packer tells the story of Bill and Penny Blair who had four children, three boys and one girl.  Penny wanted nothing to do with the kids, even moved out of the house into a shack.  The father was a doctor and tried his best to be a good dad.  Flash forward years later--their dad has passed away and they have to decide what to do with the house and the property.

I loved the dialogue among the kids, especially the oldest boy and the girl.  This is well worth reading for sure.
(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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Here's a Treat--A 6 WOW Book Video for You!

The books mentioned in this video all are either unbelievable, mind blowing, have twists and/or surprise endings that made me say "WOW--You've got to be kidding me!"  Hope you enjoy watching and choose to read some.  Full book reviews of them can also be found on this blog if you use the search box.

Books mentioned are:
    A Child Called "It" by David Pelzer
    In the Blood by Lisa Unger
    Live to Tell by Lisa Gardner
    Touch and Go by Lisa Gardner
    Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
    The Manhattan Hunt Club by John Saul

These are from a variety of genres to encourage you to expand your reading interests.

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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"The 5th Wave" by Rick Yancey Lives Up To The Hype (UPDATED)

Sorry about your dog, Mr. Yancey

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey was given the highest ranking by USA TODAY and ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY. After reading this book, I think they are both so right! It is really good! Human beings are being killed off but one young teenage girl, Cassie, is still alive and made a vow to her little brother that she would find him after they got split up. After all, she has his Teddy bear!

I loved this book because it has plenty of action and the writing is so good! When the girl finds a young teen boy, Evan, this book really takes off! Can't wait for book two!
(Gerard's review 5++ stars)

I finally got around to reading The 5^th Wave by Rick Yancy and am glad I did.  Although it was a bit confusing at first and started out kind of slow for me, it did get good and I enjoyed it.  This is the first book I ever read where aliens actually come to earth.  The main character is Cassie who is 16 and determined to find her little brother, Sammy to return his Teddy bear to him like she promised.  They got separated when some soldiers took him and other young children away to a place where they would supposedly be safe.  Although Cassie begged her dad to let him stay, the dad let him go with the promise that he and Cassie would come later.  The dad left M16 rifle for Cassie and when she left to go hide it, everyone else in the camp was shot, including her father.  Cassie felt very alone and is hunted by the silencers.  On her way to find her brother, she has a couple encounters with other people who she is not sure she can trust.  She develops a relationship with Evan and thinks about a boy named Ben from high school when life was normal. 

Then the story flips to let the reader in on what the boy is going through at camp Haven and that is the more intriguing part of the book in my opinion.  That is also when the reader gets to meet Ben, the guy Cassie had a crush on, and Ringer, the girl I liked best in this book.  It has some interesting and tense scenes along the way, adventure and suspense so I liked it once I got into it.  I would classify this as YA science fiction.  

(Karen's review 5/14/15, 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!

LOVED "Saving Grace" by Jane Green

Saving Grace by Jane Green is about the good life of Grace Chapman.  She is married to Ted, a well-known, rich author. Ted's assistant is a woman named Ellen who also runs the household to allow Grace to do as she pleases.  However, when Ellen leaves, Ted goes into a panic and tells Grace that she is nothing like Ellen.  Can things get back to normal?  You'll have to read the book.

WOW!  The writing in this book is very good.  I loved all the characters because they were true to life.  It does not get much better than this!
(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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Lullaby" by Amanda Hocking

Lullaby by Amanda Hocking is the second book in the Watersong series.  This just continues the fun fantasy series about Gemma, a teen girl who becomes a mermaid.  In this book she finds out she made a big mistake and seeks to find a way to get back to normal and protect those she loves.

Overall, this is an entertaining read with interesting action near the end.  This book left me with some loose ends and questions that I hope get answered in the next book, Tidal.  I look forward to reading it to find out.   The first book was a very fun read, Wake.
(Karen's review, 3 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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B" by Teresa Toten

In The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten, Adam Spencer Ross, who has obsessive-compulsive disorder, has problems.  His parents are divorced, his mom has a stalker, his brother is a pain and now for the first time he has a major crush on a girl.

This book had me from page 1 because Adam is a great character and so is his love interest.  It is so fun to see their relationship grow.  I also enjoyed the other story lines and those characters too.  I LOVED this book--my best of this month so far!  I highly recommend 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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"All the Rage" by Courtney Summers - Better Than Expected!

All the Rage by Courtney Summers is told by Romy, a young teen girl who was attacked by a boy who was well known in her town and well liked so no one believed her.  She goes to a party and has no recollection of anything the next day, but a close friend of hers is missing.  Does she know something about this?  If so, will anyone believe her?

I liked this better than I thought I would.  Give it a try, you might be pleasantly surprised too!
(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: Five Today!

Gerard's:
  
When I pull my hands out, they're covered in blood.  For a second I think it's mine.  But it's not mine. 

From page 2 of Where They Found Her by Kimberly McCreight. (Click link for our review)

Last night I spent some time sharpening the broken plastic fork.  I only had my fingernails and teeth to work with, but I think I did a pretty good job.

From page 13 of The Bunker Diary by Kevin Brooks. (Click link for our review)

For her he would master his most troublesome rituals and offer up what was left of his sanity.
"Greetings, Robyn, and welcome!" said Dr. Chuck Mutinda, nodding first at her and then into a raggedy file folder.

From page 2 of The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten.

Karen's: 

"This is just how my life goes," Alex said.  "I have enough trouble dating girls, and now I have to figure out how to date a mermaid."

 From page 180 of Lullaby by Amanda Hocking.

I thought that was really smart.  Get all of us in one place so the aliens didn't have to waste a lot of ammunition.

From page 31 of The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey.

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!