Thursday, November 17, 2011

reviews

i know i haven't posted all my reviews up on this blog, but when i read so many books it is sometimes hard to post all of them at the same time. i keep up on it as much as i can. but i still post my reviews on goodreads

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Heaven is for Real

 
rate 5/5 stars
dates read oct20th -oct21
 
 
 
 
 
i got this as part of the Booksneeze blogger review program, and let me say, what an amazing little story about a boy who out of a misfotunate incident let him see Heaven, and live to tell about it. Little Colton, only age four at the time of his emergency operation didn't die temporaryly during his operation, but he had as most of us call it as an out of body experience and went to Heaven. He described it and it did sound wonderful. Of course not being able to comprehened what he was saying or describing at first cause he was talking in child terms if he didn't know the real word for what he was seeing. It was an amazing book. it does not talk about just Heaven, or filled with what Colton was describing. But it talks about how he came to be sick, what went wrong, and his recovery. The random moments when he would say stuff like "Jesus has Markers" i liked that. It was cute. i think this is an amazing and cute little book. there is a book similar to it, what for a long time i kept mistaking this book as the others books title which is "the boy who came back from heaven" or fell i dont remember exactly what word was used. i will read that one sometime as well, but i am glad i read this one it is a joyful book to read.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

The Christian Zombie Killers Handbook: Slaying the Living Dead Within

The Christian Zombie Killers Handbook: Slaying the Living Dead Within. By Jeff Kinley

rate: 3.5/5

dates read: aprox. Sept. 22 - Oct. 2nd

Vampires, Werewolves,Zombies, and more all creatures, some say there not real, some say they are. Every few years a new fad for these creatures seems to come around. I myself like all these creatures finding them fascinating and cool was one thing that helped really catch my eye with this book. 'cause i love zombies!

 this book really takes a twist on zombies though, it makes them real, i sometimes think it would be cool if a George A. Romero zombie were real, sure it would want to eat my brains, but the walking dead are interesting. Even Mr. Kinley's zombies, he does make them real and not in a "hugable" way...yes if there were a zombie apocalypse everyone else would be shooting them, or chopping there heads off while i would be the one hugging them. lol ok so i'm weird. deal with it.

Let me go into more detail on Mr. Kinley's zombies, we all have an inner zombie, the sinful part of us, it rages  and us having to defeat it within ourselves and others, not to let the other zombies get to us, and infect us with worldly things and desires. This book has both a fictional story which is broken down into episodes, and a non-fictional part. after each episode the chapter would come in with the non-fiction story of it with Bible verses and other inspirational stories, or guided stories, the fictional story was good, but i myself liked the non-fiction sections better. Bible verses were included, there was even a section in the back of the book with all the verses and notes in it for easy reference.

Overall i think it was a decent read and i think those of Christian faith and the love for zombies would enjoy it, i received this book from the BookSneeze team from Thomas Nelson,  as i was not required to give a positive review but a review of my own opinions of the book. Thank you for letting me read it.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Bedbugs

Bedbugs by Ben Winters
Rate: 5/5 Stars
Dates Read: September 18-21st



what a frightful and itching book... literally. i read this with great speed. i loved it. although i have not yet read 'Rosemary's Baaby' i've read in other reviews that this was partially inspired by the book. i have seen the movie and reading about the movie it's said the movie follows the book almost to exacts so comparing this book the the movie of  'Rosemary's Baby' yes i see a huge resemblance, and 'Rosemary's Baby' is one of my favorite horror movies. i really love being scared, horror being my favorite genre of anything, and bugs to creep me out like no other. So where do i read this, no other than my bed, yes i read some on the couch, but bed bugs are still known to roam there, so the creepinest still had effect.

Susan,. her husband Alex, and there daughter Emma just moved into a new apartment, and it couldn't be better, a nice upscale brownstone Brooklyn aprartment for a great small price, hard to pass up right? there must be a catch, leaky pipes? loose floorboards?  no none of that. everything seems just right, and plus there's an extra 'bonus' room. sure the landlady is a little loony but nothing to pass up about. Soon after the move in Susan starts experiencing problems with bugs, bed bugs to be exact. Only one problem, Alex and Emma aren't experiencing anything at all. So what's Susan to do? Going crazy over these bugs she'll do anything to rid of them.

This book left me itching all over. i didn't even sleep in my own bed last night cause i finished it. in fact i slept on the couch. finally falling asleep around 2am. i tried sleeping i think i lost sleep due to this book and the fact of my medication. but i think i'll mostly rather blame it on this amazingly written horror novel. i actually even was awake so much last night i had time to start and finish another book. a small book at that but it was at least something.

So go read this book.....if you dare, and you'll be itchy for more at the end. or feeling like you want to burn everything you own by the end.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Cut

Cut by Patricia McCormick

Dates Read: September 14th

Rate: 3/5 Stars


a pretty decent book, but in my optinion too short. it was set up well though, and the story wasn't bad, i just wish it would of been longer. i could of read it in one sitting if i had the chance but i worked so i read during break. i've read a lot of books on similar subjects fiction and non-fiction, and other's have been better, but some have been worse as well

It's Kind of a Funny Story

It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

Dates Read: Read from September 06 to 07, 2011

Rate: 4/5 Stars

I read this in 3 days, it would of been two but i was really tired last night and even with about 40 pages to go i just couldn't finish it, so i finished it this morning. I saw the movie once before i read this, but it was a while ago, and another view of the movie would be nice, even though books are most of the time better than the movie i probably would still compare them like i always do.
I liked how the main protagonist Craig explained part of his depression, the words he used to describe what was going on in his head was great, for someone who has battles depression, and is still taking meds for it as well, but has never been in a psych hospital. it was a pretty good book about depressional issues and dealing with them

The Book Theif

The Book Theif by Markus Zusak

Dates Read:
Read from August 31 to September 06, 2011

Rate: 3/5 Stars


I was really excited to read this book at first. the plot seeming really nice, and don't get me wrong it was. the book started off at a very nice pace, but at times had some really low points to where i wanted to put it down and not finish it. maybe 'casue it was set during the time of the holocaust? mabye becasue it is narrated by death? i don't know, why should i let those things stop me when i was horror movies, and stuff all the time. the two mixed together was good, and so was the book, but at times i did feel like is this book ever going to end? when it did i was saddened. this is not a happy book, and this is not one for all either. this is a book for teens i am an adult reading teen fiction, but i still do because i enjoy it most of the time, but at times i didn't even see it as a teen novel. so if you like historical fiction forget about it being a teen book and just read it.

Cold Vengeance

Cold Vengeance by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Dates Read:
Read from August 26 to 30, 2011


Rate: 4/5 Stars

wow, this book left me speechless. the last paragraph, ok last few chapters more like it was nail biting. and i finished it during lunch of all times. i had about 14 days to read this, it did take me about 11 days but with work and not always having time during breaks and such and also with a day where i didn't read it at all cause i was out of town i did pretty damn good. and it was a great instalment to the Pendergast series. i cannot wait till the next instalment. i don't want to write anything about the book really cause i don't want to spoil it. with the Pendergast books it be too easy for me to do that in a review. so read it and you'll know what an amazing book it is.

Fever Dream

Fever Dream by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Read from August 21 to 26, 2011
Rate: 4/5 Stars


This book in the Pendergast series takes a differnent twist, and this time he's investigating his wife's murder. It was full of as many twists and fun adventrues of one of the greatest FBI agents ever created. A great start to the "Helen" books. I can't wait to start "Cold Vengeance" tonight!

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Cemetery Dance

 
(sorry no book cover, i'm not on my computer and the libraries doesnt seem to allow linked pictures, and can't save to computer to upload.)
 
Read from August 18 to 21, 2011
5/5 Stars
 
Another great read. I didn't want to put this down, it was nail biting at times. I was sad to see Smithback be killed,and by a pretty bizarre person too. A twist of Voodoo, and our favorite special agent is on the case again to help solve these murders beign commited by who. zombiis? yes the dead do walk, and aparently kill too. Be ready for another great thriller from two amazing writeres.

The Wheel of Darkness

 
(sorry no book cover, i'm not on my computer and the libraries doesnt seem to allow linked pictures, and can't save to computer to upload.)
 
Read from August 16 to 18, 2011

5/5 stars
 
yes i finished reading this already!!! it was so good,and intence. the location of this was was very different than the others but it still was great! it put a new twist on it which made it all the better. instead of being set in the city, or a small countryside town this book in the series takes place on a cruise ship. such tight closterphobic quarters i was like wow. Doug and Linc never fail to let me down, and being the year i was introduced to them, i still wish i discovered them sooner.

i'm starting "Cemetery Dance" tonight, and am still in hopes of finishing it and "Fever Dream" before my copy of "Cold Vengeance" is on hold at the library. :)

"Book of the Dead"

 
(sorry no book cover, i'm not on my computer and the libraries doesnt seem to allow linked pictures, and can't save to computer to upload.)
 
Read from August 04 to 16, 2011

4/5 Stars
 
First off it took me forever to finish this book. I was in the process of moving and didn't edxactly have the time to read. At times I wanted to put it down and forget the rest, 'cause I have a deadline for the Pendergast books, I need to finish the series before I read the newest installment in the series "Cold Vengeance".
So for first read this book in the series 7th Pendergast, 3rd Diogenes, I found it to be a little duller than the others. I will give this a re-read sometime though 'cause of my recent love of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. But as for now moving on to the rest of the series in hopes of finishing before my reservation of "Cold Vengeance" is at the library.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

My book reviews

i know i post my reviews here  and i don't know who all keeps up with them on my blog but i do have a goodreads and a librarything. i post the reviews there first. well mainly on goodreads cause i have no more current space on librarything without a lifetime charge of about $20 one time pay. i hope you like my reviews and although a lot of my older reviews aren't up on my blog here, they're still viewable on my goodreads account. i would love to hear from you. any feedback on how to make my book reviews better, or if you've read a book i have and would like to discuss it please let me know. i would love to discuss them with you. i did decide to add the dates read to my blog since i felt like it was needed. i am open to suggestions though. 

thanks and have a wonderful rest of the weekend
-alex

Doctor Who: Agent Provocateur

Doctor Who: Agent Provocateur by Gary Russell

3/5 Stars
dates read: August 1st - August 7th 2011


 pretty good written graphic novel. the best one i've read this year? no. i am a fan of Doctor Who, but i feel like this was poorly written compared to the show. it didn't flow as easy. the story lines were all over the place, and seemed to trail off just to add extra pages. i liked some of the drawings although they could of been better.

Brady Brady Brady

Brady Brady Brady by Sherwood Schwartz and Lloyd J Schwartz

2/5 Stars
dates read: July 31- August 5th 2011


   i spotted this book at the library and thought i'd read it getting some behind the scenes, which there were some, but there was a lot of unnecessary stuff.
There were a lot of random quotes, and a lot of info people already knew. I also didn't like that they gave major plots throughout the book. Yes i've seen probably all the episodes a few times, mind you the show was on before i was born, so i've been stuff with reruns, but i would still rather see the episodes, than keep reading the plots randomly put in there.
They constantly talked about problems with the show as well, which i know every show is going to have, but i got tired of reading about them.
I expected for a book written by the creator and his son would have been written better, but it wasn't. i would not read this again, and wouldnt buy it......even though i might have to 'cause the book i read being a library copy and it got slight water damage to a few pages. cringlness but every word is still perfectly visible.....my library is very very picky. 

Let Me In

Let Me In by John Ajvide Lindqvist

2/5 Stars
dates read: July 27th - August 1st



i watched the movie before reading the book. i liked the movie a lot more than the book. i feel the book was drawn out too much, it being a good story another vampire story with a love twist, but dealing with kids instead of teenagers (Twilight). i found it very boring through most of the book. i think the only thing that kept me reading was to see the differences between the movie and the book. in all i think it made a lot better movie than a book.

Still Missing

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

4/5 Stars
dates read: July 21st - 25th 2011



This book was hard to put down. At times I wanted to 'cause it was so intense but I just kept reading. Annie a 32 year old realtor gets kidnapped taken to a cabin in the mountains for over a year. All this time being tortured by "The Freak" in many ways. Having to do everything on HIS scedule. It is tough for Annie it would be for anyone. After having his baby it makes her emotions flair even more. Soon the pieces come together and she is set free from The Freak at least.
A great book with another twist ending from Chevy Stevens. I did read this after I read "Never Knowing" which is her second book. I like her style of writing it's unique and twisted. I highly recommend her.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Love Lies Bleeding

Love Lies Bleeding by Jess McConkey

3/5 Stars
Won this from Early Reviewers on Librarything. I was excited about reading this, even though I found it a good read, I kind of expected more. Sam recovering from an attack in a cabin, is struggling with depression, anxiety, the stress of her family and being alone and forced to do things she doesn't want to and not the way she wants to. Can she really trust anyone anymore?
  I liked the characters at first but as the book went on, I didn't like them as much. It was a good story for an authors debut book, and will read more of her books in hopes her next novel is better than this, still a good read and would recommend it though.


Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Dance of Death

Dance of Death by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

4/5 Stars




The sixth book in the series second is the sub-Diogenes. Pendergast is dead, or is he? Him and disguises.

 We meet Diogenes, Aloysius's evil brother and has and still is playing with Aloysius and trying to make him miserable. He has a plan to perform the perfect crime withing a week,that he has had planning for years. When Pendergast's friends start dying, and he's left to blame what's he to do? With the help of D'Agosta will they stop Diogenes from committing the crime in time?

I really loved all the twists and turns in this book,the ending leaves a huge cliff hanger and like always keeps me screaming for more.

next reads:
Love Lies Bleeding by Jess McConkey
and
Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

Monday, July 11, 2011

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

5/5 Stars

A great re-read. I re-read this for the premier of pt. 2 of the Deathly Hallows movie.








****Possible soilers****

I laughed, I cried, I love the action and dedication in this book. I was sad when some characters died,but was also happy at times when a character succeeded in something. The battle at Hogwarts is amazing I can't wait to see it on the big screen. I was reading this so much a few times I actually had to stop 'cause I started to fall asleep 'cause my eyes got so tired. I wanted to continue but had to take a break. I wish not so many characters were killed off but nothing can change what happen. A happy ending did come out, well that is if you like Harry and Ginny together. I think Harry and Luna would of made a better pair, but that's my opinion. In all a good read and a suggested read to everyone, even if it's just once.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Before I go to Sleep

"Before I go to Sleep" by S.J. Watson

4/5 stars

Can you imagine not remembering anything after waking up, forgetting your whole world? For Christine this is real, every morning she wakes up not remembering anything.

The book starts out with Christine waking up not knowing she's much older than she thinks, or remembering anything or anyone around her.

After an accident that leads to a amnesic case causing her to forget everything each time she goes to sleep. Christine starts seeing Dr.Nash and he tells her to keep a journal,so she can hopefully gain some memory. While reading the journal she finds entries she find that some thing she's being told aren't true, who's lying to her? Ben? Dr.Nash? As the pieces come together she realizes she's in a grave danger.

I really liked this book, an on the edge of your seat thriller, full of twists and turns. taking me three days. I sometimes had to re-read some parts cause I was even thinking what is going on? a great debut novel from author S.J. Watson. I recommend to anyone who likes thrillers.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Love Wins: A book about heaven, hell and the fate of every person who ever lived

"Love Wins: A book abut heaven,hell and the fate of every person who ever lived" by Rob Bell



i didn't like this as much as the first Rob Bell book i read which was "Velvet Elvis" i didn't like the structure that much either. i guess i didnt feel as attached or the vibes either. i liked some of the stories he shared, and the view of heaven, earth and hell, but i think i'm going to take a break from Christain "guidebook" inspirationals  for now



sorry the review is so short i've been trying to make them longer.



next i'll be reading.....

                                                          "Dance of Death" by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

                                                              and a few other books these are just the main ones. i probably wont read them all at once but at least you get an idea of what's to come. 

i did fail at a Dean Koontz novel. i started "Sole Survivor" it didn't grasp me at about 100 pages in i quit i decided it's not for me. maybe i started with the wrong novel of his or maybe he's just not the kind of author for me.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Never Knowing

"Never Knowing" by Chevy Stevens 
5/5 Stars



i won this from Goodreads First reads. i did not want to put this book down. i almost finished it in one night. and would have too if it wasn't midnight and of having to get up early for work in the morning.

The book is set up in sessions with the protagonist (Sara's) therapist. which i loved it put a new twist on novels. this book was intense, nail biting and left me speechless. Sara is adopted and decides to try and locate her birth parents. She has luck with finding her mother, but she doesn't want to talk. In fact she wants nothing to do with her. Sara soon finds out that her birth father is a serial killer the "Campsite Killer" and Sara's mother being the only survivor.What is Sara to do now? She has a killers blood running through her veins. Sara already has so much going on, a wedding to plan a daughter to raise and now to help catch a killer. Will Sara pull through and be able to survive it all?

i can't spoil anymore it's too good of a book to spoil. It left me breathless and speechless. and i know it will haunt me for days

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Brimstone

"Brimstone" by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
4/5 stars

Another great mystery with twists around every corner. Pendergast is back and so is D'Agosta this time solving a murder on Long Island. While more keep occurring solving these bizarre deaths isn't going to be easy.
Diogenes, Aloysius's evil brother is introduced. He only makes a brief appearance, but I was still excited, the ending was nail biting.
I cannot wait to read the 6th book in the series "Dance of Death" I really like the Pendergast novels, some of the best books I've read in a long time. 





Next I'm reading "Love Wins: a book about heaven, hell, and the fate of every person who ever lived"  by Rob Bell


and 
"Never Knowing" by Chevy Stevens

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Still Life with Crows

Still Life with Crows - by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child 
5/5 Stars




i LOVED "Still Life with Crows" out of the three Pendergast novel's i've read so far i loved this one the most.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time! i read it ever chance i got, it was a super great page turner and and great thriller.


FBI Special Agent Aloysius X.L. Pendergast is at it again! This time he is on vacation, and where oh a little crappy town of Medicine Creek, Kansas. This s is no ordinary vacation. He's investigating a murder has taken place and of all places in a corn field. Beyond investigation of the crime scene things are a little different. Ancient Indian arrows and strange a strange killing method. With the aid of local goth chick Corrie Swanson, Pendergast is set out to solve the case. More murders start happening around town and time is running out, will Pendergast help solve the crimes, and catch the killer in time?

next book i'm reading........"Brimstone" also by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Black,just like my mama:Saga of a black woman growing up in America

Black,just like my mama:Saga of a black woman growing up in America, by: Jeanette Davis


I received this from the member giveaways program. on librarything  it took me a while to read, it is a large book. at almost 400 pages at first it seemed a little overwhelming,but i made it through it. the first half of the book is what took me forever, I kept putting it down and reading something else. but I had a good chunk of the book left and the pace picked up I finished over half the book in a day. after me struggling with it for about two weeks.

This is a story about the author Jeanette Davis, her life, and families life. A story of a black woman growing up in America There's a lot that happens in this book, and though they may not all be good, good things still happened. Some parts are a little detailed so im putting as a little warning, but don't let that turn you away completely.

I thought this was a pretty good read, yes it took me a while to get through but i enjoyed it. I am a white woman, but that didn't stop me from reading this.


(read dates are approxomate i since i didn't mark it as currently reading at the time)

Any Witch Way

Any Witch Way by:Annastaysia Savage




I want to thank Christopher C. Payne at JournalStone publishing for giving me the chance to read this. I really enjoyed it.
 Everything seems to be going wrong for young Sadie her mom is dead, and she's constantly being picked on by her peers in school 'cause she believes her mother is still alive. She's a foster child and all she wants to be is 'normal' but by her thirteenth birthday she gets the surprise of her life that will change her more than she expected, and just possibly will get the chance of being 'normal' after all, but in a totally different way.
  The characters were great in this so many twists it kept me on the edge of my seat at times!! A great YA read. Can't wait to read more about young Sadie.


Dates read. Started: February 24th, 2011 Finished: March 4th, 2011

My Sister's Keeper

My Sister's Keeper by: Jodi Picoult

I read this after I saw the movie, and I had already heard the ending of the book before I started reading it, so part of me is wondering why I read the book to begin with. I'm glad I read it even though it took me a good few months to read, I found myself putting this one down again and not picking it up for a while, and not really wanting to go back to it, but one night I couldn't sleep I picked it up and finished it. I think I was struggling with the characters and who they were I just was upset at some, sad with another. I will read another Jodi Picoult book sometime though.






Read from  (start date unknown) - finished - October 5,2010

Start of a real book review blog

i have a regular blog and i occasionally post book reviews on it, but needed one for just book reviews, even though i have a librarything and a goodreads. this will be another great place to post my book reviews.