REVIEW for Dust & Decay

Thank you to the wonderful people at Simon & Schuster Canada  for sending me a copy of this book.


TITLE:              Dust & Decay

AUTHOR:        Jonathan Maberry

GENRE:           YA

RATING:         5 stars (according to Sharon)

My friend Sharon reviewed this book since this is her kind of read and she was dying to read this one!  Here is her review.

You know you have read books that come in series and book 2 can never live up to the first? Well not the case with Dust and Decay by Jonathan Maberry. I was able to read the Rot and Ruin a loooong time ago as an ARC, so I was champing at the bit for this one! And it was so good!. It picked right up where the other left off, and I didn't get lost  from forgetting parts, cause he wove in stuff from book 1 beautifully. Benny and his friends are preparing to leave Mountainside with Tom, to search out that plane. But, things happen out in the Rot and Ruin that changes their plans. Another Gameland for starters, and something is happening with the Zoms! (zombies) Why are they acting strangely? (well, strange for a zombie)!

So much is happening, its exciting from page one. I loved this book, as much as I did book 1. I cant wait for the third. (there is a third right????) So for Zombie fans, or if you like an action packed read, I recommend these for sure.

IN MY MAILBOX - for week ending October 29, 2011

Here is what came into my house this week!

Bought at Abe books:

• Fake Perfect Me by Cari Kamm;
• The Importance of Being Ernie by Barry Livingston;
• A Thousand Lives by Julia Scheeres;
• The List by Siobhan Vivian;

From Cindy at Cindy'sloveofbooks:

• The Popularity Rules by Abby McDonald;

From the publisher for review:

• The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater;
• Burned by P.C. Cast
• Kiss, Crush, Collide by Christina Meredith;
• Tv Goes to Hell Supernatural by Stacey Abbott and David Lavery

REVIEW for 31 dates in 31 days

A huge thank you goes out to author Tamara Duricka Johnson for sending me a copy of her book.

TITLE:          31 Dates in 31 Days

AUTHOR:    Tamara Duricka Johnson

GENRE:       Self Help/Memoir

RATING:      4  Stars

I have read quite my share of books on singlehood and dating.  Having said that, I have to admit that I really loved, loved this book.  Why? and what makes it different?  Actually, its not so much that it is really different, but it is so engaging and rings so true that I instantly fell in love with the storytelling.

Let's face it, if you are single and have been dating for a while it can get quite depressing.  What i enjoyed best about this book was the fact that the author has made a point of "pointing" out that each and every date she had brought her a little knowledge, some experience and in many cases, a fun night.

This is engaging and fun to read.  I am kind of tired of hearing depressing stories and the author does a great job of telling her experiences in an emotional and fun voice that made me feel as though I was right there with her on the date.

I thought this book was such fun and I am thrilled that I picked it up.

IN MY MAILBOX - for week ending October 22, 2011

Here is what came into my home this week.

From the author and publisher for review:

• Dieting with my Dog by Peggy Frezon (thank you Peggy!)

Bought at Indigo bookstore:

• Reasons to be Happy by Katrina Kittle

REVIEW for The Survivor

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for sending me a copy of this thriller.

TITLE:                  The Survivor

AUTHOR:             Sean Slater

GENRE:               Thriller

RATING:             4 Stars

Author Sean Slater has clearly understood one of the most important lessons when it comes to writing a thriller - it is crucial to grab your audience from the very first page of the book!

I loved the fact that our main character, Detective Jacob Striker is just back on the job - actually, it is his very first day back as he finds himself having to "attend" Saint Patrick High to deal with the news that his daughter has "ditched" school again.  Except that as he and his partner are talking to the principal, they hear gunshots - which turns into a nightmare as three gunmen are killing students - and all of this happens in the first chapter!

Of course, school shootings are huge news and, I have to admit, when it is fiction, it makes for an interesting and very engaging read.  However, what makes this one a little different is the fact that we find out that there were, indeed, 3 shooters - 2 are now dead and 1 has escaped into the general population.

I have to admit that I was a tad disappointed with this turn of events. I think that the plotline would have worked better, for me anyway, had the gunman stayed within the confines of the school (I love these scenarios where there is nowhere to go and everyone is a hostage).  However, the author chose to go another route, which I thoroughly enjoyed, once I got over my initial disappointment.

This thriller is not linear - there are many little detours and characters that pop in and out to eventually lead us to the "mystery 3rd gunman".  But, in the process, Striker will find himself having to deal with family issues that may or may not end up blending into the shootings  - with some surprises along the way.

I highly suggest you get this thriller - which, as a bonus, is actually set in Canada.

HARPERCOLLINS CANADA book event for SOLO - Rana Dasgupta

The wonderful people at HarperCollins Canada are hosting a great book event in Montreal (yeah!!!)

It will be held on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

Location:  211 rue Bernard Ouest

FREE ADMISSION

For more information, please visit the Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=272448342795112

REVIEW for The Eleventh Plague

Thank you to the wonderful people at Scholastic Canada for sending me this book.

TITLE:          The Eleventh Plague

AUTHOR:     Jeff Hirsch

GENRE:       YA

RATING:      2.5 Stars

I was a little disappointed in this one. It starts out with Stephen roaming the country with his Dad and Grandpa, salvaging what they could, to survive, after a war, the plague and finally the Collapse. Suddenly they get to Settler's Landing, this almost-to-good-to-be true town where all the events that ensue turn the story into something a little too simplistic for me.

After living the life he did, with his mean old coot of a grandpa, I would have thought that Stephen would be more mature than he was. The prank that was played by Jenny and Stephen was silly and carried way to much of a bearing on the story, after all they went through. The author simply lost me here.

I just found that the families in the story reverted back to their old ways a little too easily. They let the "money" people run the show, and they still followed, just as before, still pushing for war. Basically, nothing changed "after the war" and no lessons were learned.

IN MY MAILBOX - for week ending October 15, 2011

It's that time of the week again! boy do the days just fly by!!!

From the publisher for review:

• I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler (for review)

As you can see - ANOTHER (grrrr!) quiet week.

REVIEW for How To Survive the Titanic

Thank you to Harper Collins Canada for sending me a copy of this book.

TITLE:              How To Survive the Titanic

AUTHOR:         Frances Wilson

GENRE:           Non fiction

RATING:         4 Stars

 I don't know why I am so fascinated by the Titanic but I am -which means that I have read many, many books on the subject matter over the course of the last 10 years or so.  However, one subject or passenger that is usually discussed "just in passing" is  J. Bruce Ismay.  A very important figure with the White Star Line and, arguably, a despicable human being.

I say arguably because after reading this very well researched and incredibly captivating story of  J. Bruce Ismay and the Titanic I have to ask the question - how would I have reacted in the same situation?  Of coures, Ismay was called a coward for abandonning the Titanic as it was sinking instead of going down with the ship.  But author Wilson makes some very interesting statements about both the man and the evening in question.  Of course, none of us were present and on the deck to really find out what exactly occured.  There has been, as Wilson points out, various versions of the event - where Ismay was asked to go into the lifeboat.  In another version he forced his way in and finally, he decided to jump into the lifeboat because there was nobody on board to "board" the lifeboat and there was plenty of room.

This book is a fascinating look at the life of a man that seemed to be incredibly miserable, even before the entire event occured.  He was exiled after the sinking and never managed to find his was back to his life.  I liked reading this one because we are told various stories, as remembered by witnesses, and are asked (invited) to make our own decisions.  I also found the entire "after the sinking" telling of Ismay's story as extremely interesting.

Very well written and enjoyable book.

IN MY MAILBOX - for week ending October 8, 2011

Wow! another week.  I feel as though I just blink and they are gone!!!

It was a pretty quiet week for me in the book department, although I did get a few goodies.

From Abe Boooks:

• Bond Girl by Erin Duffy (which I am currently reading and LOVING!)

From the publisher for review:

• The Great Fat Fraud by Mike Schatzki (I can never resist a book on this subject)

From my shopping trip to Chapters/Indigo:

• Love Shrinks by Sharyn Wolf
• Past Perfect by Leila Sales

I was also lucky enough to get 8 double passes for the premier of The Big Year featuring Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson - courtesy of Simon & Schuster Canada!!! thank you!!!

REVIEW for Spirit Junkie

A huge thank you to Random House Canada for sending me a copy of this book!

TITLE:                 Spirit Junkie

AUTHOR:           Gabrielle Bernstein

GENRE:              Self Help

RATING:            4 Stars

When I first heard about Spirit Junkie, I have to admit that I was kind of expecting a light read about chakras and meditation - which is not a bad thing as I happen to be quite fascinated by these aspects.

However, what I found, instead was a very thoughtfully spiritual book about looking inside yourself in order to make yourself (and those around you) happy.  This book is focused on the concepts of A Course in Miracles which I more or less was interested in - but rather, my interest lay in the author's "take" and perception of A Course in Miracles and how she took the "core" of it (or her interpretation of the core) and turned it inwards in order to create a better and happier life (as well as a more enriched spiritual experience).

The result is a very entertaining, informative and thought provoking look at what it takes to be happy in your own life.  My special interest was directed at forgiveness, but through her own trial and errors and a lot of soul searching the author demonstrates her own very personal experiences toward growth and a happier, more fulfilling spiritual life.

I loves the easy manner in which the author tells her story and I thought that this book was great at provoking some soul searching of my own - something that I have discovered I actually sort of enjoy doing.

Wonderful read (p.s.:  don't let the cover fool you).

REVIEW for Rock Star's Girl

TITLE:               Rock Star's Girl

AUTHOR:         J. F. Kristin

GENRE:            Chick Lit

RATING:           3.5 Stars

I loved the premise of this book - it had a lot of potential and touched on a subject that many of us, including myself, have thought about over the years.  What if I could be a rock star's girl????

I was thrilled to read Rock Star's Girl and immediately dove into the book.  Of course, the fact that it is "chick litty" also made me really want to read this one.

First, let me say that the main characters in this book all had their flaws, including Emily who, as it turns out, becomes the Rock Star's Girl - without really trying.  Emily is pals with "wannabe" singer Jesse.  He invites her to hear him perform and this is where she meets Cory - the real rock star.

In what turns out to be a headline grabbing plot between Cory and Jesse (both with their very own agendas) Emily finds herself manipulated and used - unless she can do something about it.

I enjoyed the "turn of events" in the plotline - the author obviously decided to deviate from the more "expected" Emily and Cory live happily ever after in rockland.  I found the story interesting and credible and I also found myself despising the "rock stars" alot.  However, what surprised me was that, at times, Emilly bugged the heck out of me.  Despite her "awakening" to what what happening around her, she still managed to be a fool and it was very frustrating to read, over and over again.  Yet, at the same time, I found myself feeling for her and getting mad on her behalf.

One issue I had with this book was that it took a while to take off.  I really thought the first chapter was a little slow and for me, in many cases, this is the kiss of death.  Nonetheless, I persisted and ended up enjoying the storyline.

IN MY MAILBOX - week ending October 1, 2011

Another great book week!

From Abe books:

• The Future of Us by Carolyn Mackler and Jay Asher
• Good Christian Bitches by Kim Gatlin
• Cruise Ship SOS by Ben Macfarlane
• Pure Red by Danielle Joseph
• Downward Dog, Upward Fog by Meryl Davids Landau

From the publisher for review:

• Yellow Mini by Lori Weber (for review)
• The Hundred Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais (for review)
• Joy of Apex (for review)
• The Qalupalik (for review)
• It Calls you Back by Luis J. Rodriguez (for review)
• It's Classified by Nicolle Wallace (for review)
• The Ninth Gate by Jamie Freveletti (for review)
• The Burning Edge by Rick Mofina (for review)
• Collateral Damage by H. Terrell Griffin (for review)

From my win from Cindy's blog contest:

• Notes from an Accidental Band Geek by Erin Dionne
• Drummer Girl by Karen Bass