Quick Review-The Maze Runner

About the Book: (taken from The Maze Runner website)

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

My Review:

The Maze Runner is a book that is hard to put down once you start reading! Thomas and the Gladers are an interesting lot and the story of their "community" sucks you in and makes you want to know more. Where do these kids come from? What is the Glade? What is up with the unsolvable maze? Who are the Creators and what are they doing? Inquiring minds want to know..NOW!

This book is interesting on so many levels that I think it will attract a varied crowd. You have the human story of a group of people (kids..boys) thrown together trying to survive. You have the sci-fi aspect that's bound to please that crowd. I was completely taken in by these boys and their story. I was cheering them on at the end and really felt like I was there with them. This book was fun and I hope to read more of their story SOON.

Visit The Maze Runner website to get more information on the book, pre-order status and the author!

Review: Columbine

My Review:

I was a senior in High School when this happened. I remember thinking WTF? Why shoot up a school? At the time the prevailing theory was that Dylan and Eric were two kids that had gotten picked on one to many times and had just snapped. They were reportedly outcasts and nerds that were teased ruthlessly. I was shocked, confused, and saddened by the events that took place on April 2oth. I watched with the rest of the world, as news came pouring in about the shootings. I remember the rumors that flooded the news stations and radio. That there were more than two shooters, it was a terrorist attack, and the Trench Coat Mafia connection.

Columbine by Dave Cullen is an eye opener. I was shocked to find out that police and teachers had had not just subtle hints but HUGE arrows pointing to these two guys way in advance! This tragedy could have been prevented if only things had been run a little better. If people had only listened and recognized the signs of mental illness these two were suffering from. It wasn't as if they had hid it very well either, the book goes into how they slipped up and revealed some of their plans almost a year or so before the shootings took place! Teachers, the police and even their parents had chances to act, but none did.

Dave Cullen's book has given everyone surrounding this tragedy a face and a name. I respect him for not just painting Eric and Dylan as monsters and only that. He didn't glorify them, he didn't demonize them. He described them as how they really where. Boys that were seriously mentally ill, and that were intelligent and real. Not at all how the media portrayed them at the time.

The only thing that bothers me about books like this one, is that they give the killers what they really wanted. Especially Eric and Dylan, who did everything they planned for the shock value and show. They wanted people to talk about them. They wanted people to be scared and scarred by what they did. Their plan worked. People are still talking about them now, 10 years later. Every year the History channel shows the footage of the boys walking through the cafeteria and shooting their guns. Every year Yahoo interviews a survivor and the story makes the front page. Sadly this is exactly what they wanted, but it's human nature to want to know more. It's human nature to want to understand how a person could do such a thing. That's my reason for reading this book.

I give it a 8.5/10 for being well written, interesting, and informative. The events aren't sensationalized. The rumors and lies about the shooting are pretty much squashed by the actual facts. It's a highly readable book and incredibly touching in certain parts. I'd recommend it to people that wanted what appears to be an unbiased view on the events of that day.

And so she struggles..

I've been doing everything I know to find a job, but no luck so far. I had a tiny little bite but that fell through. Sooo yeah..I'm stumped. *Sigh* I know times are tough these days but for me to not even hear back from McD's! Well that's just a little bit of a blow to one's ego. (Not dissing on the McD's worker..they get mucho respect from me! That job sucks and I seriously was crossing my fingers I'd hear back!)

I do have two little itty bitty (and by itty bitty I mean less that 500 a month) work from home jobs that I could do, so I'm not completely F'd BUT I'd like something a wee bit more substantial. I may have to *gasp* resort to selling books on ebay! I just wanted to let you guys know why I've suffered a little lack of motivation to blog. I'm just a wee bit depressed about my situation. I'm almost done with Columbine and will post the review (probably tonight.)
Ta!

Review-Everything Sucks

When everything sucks,
change everything . . .

And that's exactly what Hannah Friedman set out to do in an ambitious attempt to bust out of a life of obscurity and absurdity and into an alternate world of glamour, wealth, and popularity.

Being dubbed 'That Monkey Girl' by middle school bullies and being pulled out of sixth grade to live on a tour bus with her agoraphobic mother, her smelly little brother, and her father's hippie band mates convinces Hannah that she is destined for a life of freakdom.

But when she enters one of the country's most prestigious boarding schools on scholarship, Hannah transforms herself into everything she is not: cool. By senior year, she has a perfect millionaire boyfriend, a perfect GPA, a perfect designer wardrobe, and is part of the most popular clique in school, but somehow everything begins to suck far worse than when she first started. Her newfound costly drug habit, eating disorder, identity crisis, and Queen-Bee attitude lead to the unraveling of Hannah's very unusual life.

Putting her life back together will take more than a few clicks of her heels, or the perfect fit of a glass slipper, in this not-so-fairy tale of going from rock bottom to head of the class and back again.

About the Author:

Hannah Friedman (Peekskill, NY) is a recent Yale University graduate. She is the daughter of gold-record singer/songwriter Dean Friedman. An article titled "When Your Friends Become the Enemy" about her experiences applying to an Ivy League University was published in Newsweek in 2004. Ms. Friedman is the winner of the Yale 2007 Playwright's Festival, as well as the New York Television Festival's 2008 "Flying Solo" Pilot Contest. Her pilot about transitioning from college student to author will debut at the Festival in September 2008.

My Review:

So Hannah has an interesting story to tell about growing up with her wacky family. Nothing is normal in the Friedman household. Nothing. There's the mostly out of work musician father, the monkey loving mother, the annoying brother and Hannah..the smart daughter. This book was fun to read and kept my attention from start to finish. I really liked it. Hannah's had many opportunities that I wished I could have had. The only problem that I had was that she kinda played the "sucks" card for all it's worth. I know the title of the book is Everything Sucks but do we need every chapter to have the word suck in it? It kinda lost it's charm after about the 4th chapter, which is called Private School Sucks. I did however get a chuckle out of the chapter entitled Periods Suck, because I think every woman will agree to that sentiment! All in all I think this was a good debut. Hannah has a lot of talent in writing and music! Check out her website and watch a few of her videos and you'll see!

Book Spotlight-Extreme Dreams Depend on Teams

About the Book:
Human beings are designed for teamwork, and teamwork is the only way to make seemingly impossible dreams and bold visions come true. Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France seven consecutive times, not by himself, but with the backing of his coaches, mechanic, and teammates. Charles Lindbergh may have been called “the Lone Eagle” because of his 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic, but he assembled a first-rate team to make his dream possible.

In his new book, Extreme Dreams Depend on Teams (Center Street, July 22, 2009), Orlando Magic co-founder and Senior Vice President Pat Williams says that teamwork is the key to making extreme dreams a reality. Named one of the 50 most influential people in the NBA (National Basketball Association) after following his dream and helping to build the Orlando Magic from the ground up, Williams gives inspiring accounts of the power of teamwork—many of them personal—in a book that leadership guru Patrick Lencioni calls “the most comprehensive and interesting collection of wisdom on teamwork I have ever read.”

In Extreme Dreams Depend on Teams, Williams points out that extreme dreams are only fulfilled when teams are led with characteristics like respect, empowerment, commitment, trust and passion. “Once you put teamwork into practice in your organization, these principles will begin transforming everything. They will transform how you view the world, including our society and its problems, and the political and environmental issues we face…you’ll begin seeing the world through a lens of extreme dreams, extreme possibilities, and the power of teamwork,” says Williams.


About the Author:
Pat Williams is the senior vice president of the NBA’s Orlando Magic. He is a popular motivational speaker averaging over 150 appearances a year. Williams has spent 45 years in professional baseball and basketball as a player and executive. He served as general manager of the 1983 world champion Philadelphia 76ers and managed the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks.

Williams is the author of 55 books. He and his wife, Ruth, are the parents of 19 children, including 14 adopted from four nations. He and his family have been featured in such diverse publications as Sports Illustrated, Reader’s Digest, Good Housekeeping, The Wall Street Journal, and Focus on the Family as well as all the major TV networks. Pat and Ruth recently received an award from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute for their efforts in adoption. To learn more about Pat Williams, visit www.PatWilliamsMotivate.com.

And now on a different note....

Okay you guys, just a little off topic post to let you know that I am really really needing a vacation! Like seriously soon! Myrtle Beach Resort looks so very nice! I'm in love with the pictures of the pier and the water! Just looks so relaxing! I'm so stressed out so this seems like the perfect Rx for me! *sigh* I am certainly planning on it!

Seriously check it out yourself! I'm sure that you will find the Myrtle Beach Accommodations

pretty darn cushy, if you ask me! Oh, and they have a pretty neat looking sweepstakes too! You can register to win a 4 night stay in a 2 bedroom condo!!! Sweet! Count me in sir! *sigh* Just the thought of a nice vacation is making me smile! Just me a book, a fruity drink with a swirly straw, and no planner...work...worry..........

Quick Review-Catching Fire

Okay so what can I say that hasn't been said about this awesome (note the font) book that hasn't already been said? It's wonderfully written and great! Like the Hunger Games I found myself staying up til ridiculous hours of the night reading it! (Well in my world midnight:30 is ridiculous!) I loved every single word of this book! I CANNOT wait til the next one..it will be bittersweet but GREAT! (Isn't the third the last?) I'm still hung over from staying up and reading it so this will be a short non-spoilery review! Read this book! Well..read the Hunger Games first then read this book!

*Sigh* Update

So...I was supposed to be reading Tamed by a Laird by Amanda Scott, but now I don't know if I will be able to finish it. Not because it's bad or anything but because my cat killed it. Seriously, my baby kitty Ears (5 year old named her) seems to think that the printer is her bed. The printer is on my desk and I have a tendency to spend a LOT of time at my desk, so I usually have a drink on it too. What does this have to do with anything? Well Ears is learning how to jump up and down on things and yesterday she succeeded. She jumped from the printer to the floor and on the way down clipped my cup with her tail and knocked it over. Spilling water on my keyboard, some paperwork, AND my book. The book is currently waterlogged but I'm crossing my fingers on it drying and not ripping. (Not sure how well this will go!) So sadly I am not sure right now if I will be able to finish it or not. The only thing I can do is move to the next book and let Tamed dry and hope.

Teaser Tuesday-Tamed by a Laird

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read*

* Open to a random page*

*Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page*

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! ;)

Hugh watched Jenny, not having to ask what she was thinking. He knew she hated the thought of going back, but he had to take her. He had given his word.

page 241 from Tamed by a Laird by Amanda Scott

Blog Tour-A Note from an Old Acquaintance

About the Book:

Brian Weller is a haunted man. It's been two years since the tragic accident that left his three-year-old son dead and his wife in an irreversible coma. A popular author of mega-selling thrillers, Brian's life has reached a crossroads: his new book is stalled, his wife's prognosis is dire, and he teeters on the brink of despair.

Everything changes the morning an e-mail arrives from Boston artist Joanna Richman. Her heartfelt note brings back all the poignant memories: the night their eyes met, the fiery passion of their short-lived affair, and the agonizing moment he was forced to leave Joanna forever. Now, fifteen years later, the guilt and anger threaten to overwhelm him. Vowing to make things right, Brian arranges a book-signing tour that will take him back to Boston. He is eager to see Joanna again, but remains unsure where their reunion will lead. One thing is certain: the forces that tore their love asunder will stop at nothing to keep them apart.

Filled with tender romance and taut suspense, A Note from an Old Acquaintance is an unforgettable story about fate, honor, and the power of true love.

About the Author:

Bill Walker is a graphic designer specializing in book and dust jacket design, and has worked on projects by Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson, Dean Koontz and Stephen King. Between his design work and his writing, he spends his spare time reading voraciously and playing very loud guitar, much to the chagrin of his lovely wife and two sons. Bill makes his home in Los Angeles and can be reached through his website: http://www.billwalkerdesigns.com/

My review:

Brian Weller has a chance that very few people get. This story works on the notion that everyone has at least one relationship that has left them wondering, what if? In the past, he had had a fling with Joanna, a talented artist that just happened to be engaged to a powerful businessman. They were in love, but Brian was forced to make a choice. A choice that caused both of their lives to turn upside down.

Years later, he gets an email from Joanna that sends his world spinning. That is the basic set up for the storyline of A Note from an Old Acquaintance, but there is nothing basic about this book. The characters are near perfect. The story progresses at a smooth pace and you feel for the characters. You really do. Walker really knows how to take an old plot line (the love triangle) and shake it up and make it vibrantly fresh and enticing.

I had a wonderful time reading this book. I felt for every character, even Erik, Joanna's rich and driven husband. This is a book I'll definitely recommend and keep in my collection. I am grateful to have gotten the chance to read it. I am also grateful for having the book autographed by Bill Walker! So cool to have that!


And a big thank you to Tracee from Pump Up Your Book Promotion for allowing me to join this blog tour!

Monday-What are you reading?-Sept 7th

A weekly event hosted by J. Kaye’s Book Blog to discuss your reading week ~ the books you've read and those you plan on reading in the coming week.

I'm just finishing up this book and I love it! I'm participating in the blog tour so expect to see the post about it tomorrow! A Note From an Old Acquaintance by Bill Walker.


I'm feeling very ambitious this week! I expect to read a good chunk of books this week and post! I know I've been quiet lately but I promise to get back into posting as much as before!

Reading List for September

Sadly my reading has slowed down. I haven't had the extra time to do anything significant, but it seems as if that has changed! Some free time has opened up! Yay! So in order to catch up to where I want to be, this is what I am going to do. Here is my upcoming reading list: (not in any order)

1. A Note From an Old Acquaintance-Bill Walker (a book tour read)-DONE
2. The Neurology of Angels- Krista Tibbs
3. The Maze Runner-James Dashner (started it but got sidetracked)
4. The Cave-Steve McGill
5. Hannibal's Elephant Girl-Ariion Kathleen Brindley
6. Dracula The Un-Dead-Dacre Stoker
7. South of Broad-Pat Conroy
8. Everything Sucks-Hannah Friedman-DONE
9. Circle of Souls-Preetham Grandhi
10. Columbine-Dave Cullen
11. Tamed by a Laird-Amanda Scott-PAUSED TIL THE BOOK DRIES..hopefully
12. My Name is Will-Jess Winfield


Now I have some other books that I may squeeze in there somewhere but for now that should do it! I hope to have these read by the end of this month. Of course, if I get more free time I'll read more :)>