Book Haul---It's Been a While

Hello everyone!! Sorry I've been gone so long, I started my medical externship and have been spending long hours at the hospital.  When I'm not at the hospital, I'm spending my time researching therapeutic strategies for my clients, and finally when I have any spare moment, I'm studying to pass my national exam so that I can get certified in my profession.  Phew, that's a lot going on!!  And here I thought externship would be easier than classes! Anyway, after my bad experience with JK Rowling's newest book, I have kind of been sporadically reading for a while.

I've been filling my time with some of my favorite shows like Downton Abbey (Can you believe all the characters that have been killed off this season?) and Hart of Dixie, and Vampire Diaries.  I'm super excited for a new History Channel show called Vikings, which premier's March 3rd. Yes, I'm nerdy...no I don't care.


Anyway, onto the books!!

 The Caged Virgin by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

This muslim woman fled her home country for the Netherlands to escape an arranged marriage. The turning point in her life was after the violent murder of Theo van Gogh in 2004, with whom the author had written a film with about women and Islam called "Submission". She was threatened by the same group of people that killed him, but will not stop speaking out about the oppression that Islamic women face, and the attempts of Islamic governments to silence any questioning of their faith.  She also wants western civilization to know just what is happening to women in this faith, such as genital mutilation and forced marriages of female minors.

That was my own summary because the Goodreads one was just too long. In the past year I became some friends with Saudi Arabian women who were at my graduate school.  While they did mention cultural differences from there to the US, they never mentioned anything horrific like this author is saying.  So, I guess you could call this an eye opener for me. I was really shocked that some cultures deny what I consider to be basic human rights.  It's hard for me to imagine people actually mutilating female genitalia.  Living in the US all my life, never leaving to visit other countries, I guess you could call me sheltered. Nevertheless,  I liked this book.  Sometimes it felt a little disorganized, but to my understanding the author has an even better book that is the story of her life called Infidel.  I would highly recommend these books if you are interested in learning more about women's role in Islam.

 Stuff White People Like by Christian Lander

This is a stereotypical, sarcastic book of the things white people like.  The whole point of the book is that "white people" like to go to extreme lengths to feel important and unique but are all basically doing the same thing. From my understanding the author has a blog from 2008 that many people visited and this book is a result of that.  Basically, the author has many different chapters devoted to things white people like such as eating organic food, apple products, brunch on the weekends, wine, etc. In each chapter he describes what white people like about the item and how to use that item to become accepted in white culture. It's meant to be funny, but it didn't really make me laugh, and the book got boring halfway through because it followed the same format.  In my opinion, they should change white people to hipsters, because that's what most of the book describes.

Victoria and the Rogue by Meg Cabot

Ah yes, one of my favorite YA authors.  Sometimes a girl just needs to read mindless, comical fiction to forget about all the stress in her life :)

The year is 1810. Victoria is a wealthy, 16 year old British girl from India who moved to Britain to find a husband.  She becomes betrothed to Lord Malfrey before she even gets off the ship from India.  But, Captain Jacob Carstairs has a few things to say about this engagement, and not all of them nice. Yes, this book follows a somewhat predictable romantic plot. But I enjoy Meg Cabot's works because she's funny and there are usually some unexpected twists in the plot that make you appreciate her creativity.  This book cheered up my mood and made me smile.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Sometimes you just need to go with a familiar re-read right? After a bad day, or even a long week, you can come home to a book that has an awesome plot and beloved characters.

City of Bones is one of my favorite YA books. Clary Fray enters into a nightclub one night with her friend to find that she is witness to a bizarre murder that only she can see. After this event, things get stranger still as one of the murderers keeps showing up at places she goes.  Her life gets turned upside down when her mom is taken and Clary is attacked by a demon. Clary only wants to get her mother back, but as she is entangled deeper into the world of Shadowhunters (men and women sworn to protect the earth from demons) she discovers that getting her mother back might be harder than she thought and there are a few secrets about herself she discovers along the way.

The first time I read this book, I fell in love with the characters.  It is hard to find an author who can write such a suspenseful, well thought out plot and still manage romantic tension and comedy.  This book is a page turner, the type you would not want to put down.  Also, as a side note, this book is currently becoming a movie and is set to premier August 2013.  So like so many young adult books that turn into movies, this book series is probably going to blow up soon.

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

From Goodreads: A BIG NOVEL ABOUT A SMALL TOWN ...

When Barry Fairbrother dies in his early forties, the town of Pagford is left in shock.

Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war.

Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils ... Pagford is not what it first seems.

And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?

(Warning: my review is brutal)

My Thoughts: Before I read this book, I read through a couple reviews on Goodreads.  I was interested to read the summary of the book and see if this is something I could get into.  Almost all of the reviews on GR that I read mentioned that Rowling wrote this book for shock value, to remind readers that this isn't Harry Potter.  Also, a few reviews said they couldn't even finish the book! I thought: "What a bunch of crap; These people just don't know how to appreciate a good book like I do!! What fools they are to not realize that they simply aren't reading HP and respect the adult book for what it is" And I could go on... 

Those reviewers don't know anything. Wannabe JK Rowling fans.

So the summary of the book intrigued me, and thus I began to read.  I got as far as chapter 6 (VI).  Yes, so that should say it all.  Take my review with a grain of salt because I didn't finish the book, but I really couldn't bring myself to. It really made me sad and disappointed because I expected so much more from Rowling.  

 She has, arguably, one of the most popular book series in the world, and we get this as her adult novel?

And guess what? Those 6 chapters that I read made me realize that the reviewers were right! No plot, just a different family with multiple characters in each chapter that you had a hard time keeping up with (since so many were introduced), talking about Barry Fairbrother's death.  That's it.  The characters all have some secret hatred or ugly truth inside of them that's supposed to interest the readers.  I get that she is trying to write something new, and depict people for how they really are (petty, shallow, greedy, mean, fake, etc) but it really does come off as though she is trying to shock us, especially because 6 chapters in there is no plot.  Not to mention the vulgarity.... in some parts it is disgusting.  I don't even want to get into it, but it involves the crude thoughts of teenage boys (and apparently according to other reviewers also rape and pedophilia later in the book).  So please, try this book if you want but really....it might disappoint you. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Series

So, as you know I've been reading Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampires series.  I never intended to go on a YA vampire book reading binge, but for some reason when I read a few books in the series I can't stop.  I need to finish the series.  And, the books are alright--some in the series better than others, but nothing I would probably re-read again (I don't mean that in a bad way, it's just that I need to reeeally love a series to re-read it again). Early on in the series, and even later books, she leaves a ton of cliffhangers at the end of the books.  If I was a reader waiting for these books to be published I would be annoyed because I don't like when authors manipulate you into buying their books via plot tricks. Anyway, it would bother me if I quit a few books into the series.  Is anyone else like this?  Once you start a series you have to finish it?

Now I finished book 11 (even though there's two more books which will have to wait) and I think I'm going to move onto something with more substance.

It's the Holiday Season

For the last couple of weeks, my life has been extremely hectic (as I'm sure was everyone's).  I came right from my finals to working in retail. Christmas, as you know, is the busiest season for retail.  Back to school might be the only other time it gets super busy, but they don't hire extra people to help out.  Anyway, the store was really busy this past week especially, and I have been trying to get as many hours in as I can, so that doesn't leave a lot of room for reading.  Or rather, I should say, working, family visiting, holiday obligations, shopping for gifts, taking back presents, planning new years doesn't leave a lot of time for reading.  But alas! I actually managed to sneak in some time.

I have read a couple of books that I would like to give a small summary and review on.  These books I read in hardback version from the library, but since I got a KINDLE FIRE (yes, I shouted that.  I'm really excited about it :-D) I will slowly be trying to convert everything over into digital format.

                                 
Jinx by Meg Cabot

Meg Cabot is one of my favorite YA authors to read when I need something light, girly, and funny.   And that's exactly what I needed, so I picked up this book.  Jinx is a girl who moved to her aunt and uncle's house in New York, NY because she was having some issues in her hometown. Her cousin Tory doesn't like Jinx, and decides to make Jinx's life as hard as she possibly can for her.  Of course, there is romance involved, and a few OMG moments that I didn't expect. But to me, this book got a little weird with all the witchcraft involved.  This book seemed like a cross between the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Charmed.  Usually I love Meg Cabot's books, but I only gave it two stars on Goodreads because I felt it was just okay. However, if you've never read Meg Cabot and you aren't sure now that you read this review, please read her books! I do enjoy almost all of them.



The next series I read, I've wanted to for a long while:

The Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine 

The first book in the series

Glass Houses is the first book in the series. I've only read the first and second book so far, and there are 15 total as of 2013 (some are being published this year).  So, that's a lot of books.  I have to say I wasn't too taken with her other series, The Weather Warden (about people who control the weather), so I wasn't in a rush to read these.  It wasn't until I saw on one of my book forums that I follow that many people were recommending it.

Anyway, this series is about a very intelligent young girl, Claire, who is able to go to college early because she is so smart. Her parents wanted her to enroll at a college close to home, and that school is in Morganville, TX. Claire soon realizes that the whole town isn't really what it seems and that it is overrun by vampires.  Now, before you go "Not another vampire fluffy sparkle book," know that these vampires are written the way I think Bram Stoker originally intended.  They aren't nice, are barely human, and they don't mess around. The interesting twist to this story is that the vampires have placed a psychic, magical field around the town so that once people leave they forget that vampires even existed there. And if people do remember, the vampires come after them.

So far this series has been part horror, part drama, a little romance, and even a hint of dystopia, because the humans are so oppressed in this town.  This series shows many people's negative sides, a lot of violence, and how far humans will go to keep the vampire's protection.  In Morganville, you are either protected by vampires and look the other way, or you are their food. The vampires monitor the television, internet, and take a census of who enters and leaves the town. Rachel Caine has a writing style that is non-stop action, and what you think will happen does not.  This is a fast-paced, intriguing, and at times anxiety-causing series.  But, it is a nice refreshing change from all the vampire love stories out there.  Give this series a try!



I'm off to get my kindle fire working....have a good day everyone :)

                                                                         

The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening Book Review

The Awakening by L.J. Smith

From Goodreads: A Love Triangle of Unspeakable Horror...Elena
Searching for the ultimate thrill, she vowed to have Stefan.

Stefan
Haunted by his tragic past, he struggled to resist her passion.

Damon
Driven by revenge, he hunted the brother who betrayed him.

The terrifying story of two vampire brothers and the beautiful girl torn between them.

My thoughts:

I LOVE the TV series The Vampire Diaries.  I didn't think I would like it, but it has very good writers who are never predictable.  Plus, the characters are funny and relatable...and it has hot men.  But, I digress... 

 Because I liked the show so much, I thought I would give the book a try.  Well, the book was awful.  It was published originally in 1991, and so I imagine it was written in the late 80s.  It felt to me like what stereotypical Young Adult genre book would have been like back then. Elena is a spoiled-rich blonde and the queen of the school.  Literally, she calls herself the queen of the school to others, and only wants Stefan because he is the only boy to ever not look at her when he passes her in the hall.  This sparks her interest in Stefan.  It was very immature and petty.  Caroline has been reduced to a petty rival who wants to be queen, and thus tries to date Stefan first to embarrass Elena and assert her dominance. There was no sympathy for Elena, and no connection on my part.  To be truthful, I don't even know if you could take my review to heart because I skipped over large chunks of the book because I didn't like the characters, and I don't really like Stefan (in the TV series).  Sorry *blushing*, but I'm a Delena fan all the way. Maybe I'm just biased, but I did enjoy one scene between Damon and Elena because Elena actually stood her ground with Damon, and you can just tell they have chemistry.  But seriously, all shipping aside, the book felt like it could have had potential, but fell flat due to the unrelatable characters.  

The Twelve Clues of Christmas Review

The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen

From Goodreads: On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me—well, actually, my true love, Darcy O’Mara, is spending a feliz navidad tramping around South America. Meanwhile, Mummy is holed up in a tiny village called Tiddleton-under-Lovey with that droll Noel Coward! And I’m snowed in at Castle Rannoch with my bumbling brother, Binky, and sourpuss sister-in-law, Fig. 

So it’s a miracle when I contrive to land a position as hostess to a posh holiday party in Tiddleton. The village is like something out of A Christmas Carol! But no sooner have I arrived than a neighborhood nuisance, a fellow named Freddie falls out of a tree, dead…. Dickensian, indeed.

Freddie’s merely a stocking stuffer. On my second day in town, another so-called accident turns up another mincemeat pie—and yet another on my third. The village is buzzing that a recent prison break could have something to do with it… that, or a long-standing witch’s curse. I’m not so sure. But after Darcy shows up beneath the mistletoe, anything could be possible in this wicked wonderland.

My Thoughts:

First, I have to say that I started reading Rhys Bowen about a year ago, and I really enjoy her writing. I will recommend this series to people who like light-hearted, comical mysteries.  I have not read any other works from this author but I do know she has other series. This is the sixth book of Her Royal Spyness Mysteries.  The main character, Georgiana, is a woman who is in line for the English throne but far removed (35th in line as of this book). I think it's the fact that she does have royal English blood makes her fascinating, but also being that she is so far removed from the throne makes Georgiana relatable to everyday people.  This series takes place in the 1930s, so it has a nice historical flare to it.  I, personally, enjoy a good historical novel now and then and it's interesting to learn about different times than our own. The reason I love this series so much is because there is a little bit of everything: mystery, romance, and humor.  Georgie, as she is sometimes called, is a quirky girl with some flare.  She doesn't seem to take herself too seriously, always living on the edge of poverty, despite being royal. Her family expects her to marry a royal prince by now, and so they have cut off her funds.  This leads Georgie to make all sorts of interesting decisions that sometimes get her into trouble, and always involves a murder mystery. 

In this installment, Georgiana takes a position as a hostess in order to get away from her awful sister-in-law and her family in Scotland over the Christmas season.  At the very best, she hopes that her Christmas will be bearable, but gets a whole lot more than she bargains for! Overall, I enjoyed this book and as always the author's prose makes me laugh out loud at some points.  The mystery was actually hard to figure out, and I enjoyed that.  At some parts the book dragged, but I do know that every year I look forward to a new release in this series.  Read this book if you want to laugh :) 

Finally I'm Back

After a brief six month hiatus of running this book blog, I can finally say that my finals and classes are done for good!! All I have left to do is my externship and graduation in May.  Sigh* Such a relief. I barely had time to breathe, let alone any hobbies I might have once enjoyed. Now that my classes are done, and it's Christmas break, I can finally start reading all the "to be read" books on my Goodreads list. First trip to the Library today since forever and these are what I'm intending on picking up:

A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

Glass Houses (Morganville Vampires #1) by Rachel Caine


Wooo I'm off !!