Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs

Goodreads Summary:
Shortly before turning the big 5-0, boisterous party planner and Cooking with Gusto! personality Augusta “Gus” Simpson finds herself planning a birthday party she’d rather not—her own. She’s getting tired of being the hostess, the mother hen, the woman who has to plan her own birthday party. What she needs is time on her own with enough distance to give her loved ones the ingredients to put together successful lives without her.

Assisted by a handsome up-and-coming chef, Oliver, Gus invites a select group to take an on-air cooking class. But instead of just preaching to the foodie masses, she will teach regular people how to make rich, sensuous meals—real people making real food. Gus decides to bring a vibrant cast of friends and family on the program: Sabrina, her fickle daughter; Troy, Sabrina’s ex-husband; Anna, Gus’s timid neighbor; and Carmen, Gus’s pompous and beautiful competitor at the Cooking Channel. And when she begins to have more than collegial feelings for her sous-chef, Gus realizes that she might be able to rejuvenate not just her professional life, but her personal life as well. . . .

My Thoughts:

Over all I really liked this book. This was a really good choice for a light summer read that isn't centered around a teen aged girl. Gus is older and has a life that is complicated but not hard to believe. The only part of this book that kind of let me down was toward the end. Sabrina, Gus's daughter, rushed into planning a wedding for the cooking channel. This section of the book seemed out of place with the rest of the book in that every character and their actions were slowly built and explained. This portion was not slowly planned, it felt rushed and that annoyed me. I will say that the actual ending of this book did not let me down, even though it was predictable. It was the kind of predictable that you smile about not roll your eyes about.

I would recommend this to fans of Kate Jacobs (she wrote the Friday Night Knitting Club) and anyone looking for a summer read.

While writing this review I was listening to the morning news.

Impulse By Ellen Hopkins

Goodreads Summary:

Sometimes you don't wake up. But if you happen to, you know things will never be the same.
Three lives, three different paths to the same destination: Aspen Springs, a psychiatric hospital for those who have attempted the ultimate act -- suicide.

Vanessa is beautiful and smart, but her secrets keep her answering the call of the blade.

Tony, after suffering a painful childhood, can only find peace through pills.

And Conner, outwardly, has the perfect life. But dig a little deeper and find a boy who is in constant battle with his parents, his life, himself.

In one instant each of these young people decided enough was enough. They grabbed the blade, the bottle, the gun -- and tried to end it all. Now they have a second chance, and just maybe, with each other's help, they can find their way to a better life -- but only if they're strong and can fight the demons that brought them here in the first place.

My Thoughts:
Wow.
No seriously, wow. This book was intense and beautifully written. I have to say I could be bias. The formatting for this book was more like reading a book of continuing poetry. Which worked amazingly well for these characters. The development wasn't through setting a stage with specific details but rather with specific feelings and minor details. I formed my own ideas about the characters rather than being told about them. These kids all tried to kill themselves, they couldn't have been more different in the outside world, but in their treatment center they have a real connection. This is definitely a dark and twisty book and I wouldn't suggest just anyone picking this one up and reading it. I had some flash backs of bad times while reading about Vanessa and Conner in particular. Tony reminded me of so many men I knew while in high school it was shocking to me.

I recommend this book to those who have read Ellen Hopkins in the past or those open to dark and twisty stories. I would again warn against reading this book if you have the emotional trigger of suicide.

While writing this review I was listening to Slim Cessna's Auto Club. If you are interested, Slim Cessna will be in SLC on the 20th at the Urban Lounge. I also hear if you are in the Seattle area Slim Cessna will be joined by Michael Ray and the Plastic Sheets at the Crocodile on the 23rd. I fully recommend checking out both of these bands.

Getting back into the swing of things...

I have been reading loads and posting almost nothing. I would like to think I will get caught up on reviews but I just don't think I have it in me. I will say this, I have the strong love for Jen Lancaster. I finished her novel while on vaca in Seattle and it was pretty good. Obviously, as a fan I am bias toward her memoirs but I hope she continues with fiction.

In terms of an update I have graduated from SLCC with three AS degrees. Yep, that is what happens when you change your major a bunch, you unintentionally over achieve. I went out of town with the husband and the puppy to visit my long time bestie in Colorado. Good times were had and more importantly very chill times were had. I just got back from trip number two for the summer. I hung out with my older brother in Seattle and ate far too much sea food (oh god the shrimp eyes were looking at me!). I will say that no matter what I do in Seattle, or rather, how little I do in Seattle I always come home refreshed. I think I finally feel like myself again after the intense semester I finished over two months ago. The Great Wheel of Seattle was pretty cool, for those of you not in the know, the Great Wheel is a Ferris Wheel not too far from Pike's Place Market. I am terrified of heights, but only once did I come close to losing my shit while ridiculously high in the air.

I have jumped through most of the hoops that are required for me to start at the University of Utah this Fall. I have two years there and I will finally have my BS degree in Political Science. I am hoping to do a couple of internships, which at 30 years old kind of makes me a little sick. However, doing said internships should help my process of going to grad school. Yay for higher education.

I am currently reading some Ellen Hopkins (Perfect), Rachel Maddow (Drift), and David Nicholls (One Day). I am a little slow reading this year and I may have to adjust my book goal. I have spent way too much time watching My Drunk Kitchen on YouTube. I kind of love Hannah Hart.I hope to god I don't cook like her when I am drunk.

While writing this blog I was listening to a couple of my favorite TLC songs. Ya know, I really don't want no scrubs.

Matched by Ally Condie

Goodreads Summary:

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screed at her Matching ceremony, Cassia know with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instance before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

My Thoughts:

I have been reading a lot of dystopian books lately and perhaps I am starting to get a little burned out on the genre. I liked this book. I liked that it had a little bit of a different take on things. I found the way they handle food in this book interesting. No one knows how to cook, everyone in this society is dependent on the government for all meals. That is a pretty intense way to control people and I would say incredibly effective. It is mentioned that people who farm don't know how to prepare the food they grow. The Society has separated every step, not just in food but in everything. In essence ignorance is bliss.I have to say though the book didn't really grab my attention until almost half way through. This, again may just be me feeling burn out from the genre, or maybe there was something lacking in the way this story unfolded. I am honestly not sure which is accurate. 

I will likely read the next two books but I think I will hold off on that for a while. I liked Cassia, I wanted to know more about Xander, and I wanted Ky to be more interesting. All in all though it was a fine summer read.

I would recommend this book to dystopian fans. This is not action packed like a lot of dystopian books so don't go into this one hoping for danger.

While writing this review I was listening to Slim Cessna.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Goodreads Summary:
One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love. Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so. New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.


My Thoughts:
I like Tris. She is kind of a kick ass girl. She has a commitment to the truth which I dig. I really liked this book. I liked that her relationship with Tobias is not simple. So often the relationships in YA books are overly simplified. I don't feel like this book does that over simplification. The relationship is sweet like other books but also shows the flip side of caring about someone, sometimes you want to kick them in the shin. I think this was the perfect book to help me come off my school kick. It was smart enough that I wasn't bored but not complicated enough to make me more tired. I am definitely on pins and needles about the next book. This one leaves you wanting more. I hope we find out more about the origins of this world that Tris finds herself in. Veronica alludes to a lot and I am excited to see what she makes of the ideas she has presented.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy the genre, has read the first book, and or wants some fast summer reads.

While writing this review I was listening to Chang laugh on community.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Goodreads Summary:
In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

My thoughts:
Tris (Beatrice) is kind of a freak in her world. She is not capable of being brain washed. This is of course dangerous to those who wish to control this dystopian world that she lives in. This book follows the same formula as a lot of dystopian books but I am not saying that is a bad thing. Tris comes into her own and that is something everyone must do and therefore can relate to.
The interesting thing about this book is the factions 16 year olds choose to live in and work in. Candor, is for the completely honest. Dauntless, is for the fearless. Agnegation, is for the selfless. Amity is for the peaceful. Erudite, is for the knowledge seekers. I liked the idea of teens choosing to live with like minded people. I did not like however, that it was all or nothing.
Tris is Divergent in that she can't fit into just one of the factions. She is a little of at least three of them. She is selfless, fearless, and a truth seeker. She was raised as an Agnegathion but opts to become a Dauntless when her placement test is inconclusive. Her Mother as it turns out was born Dauntless and chose Agnegathion. The thing I don't like about a lot of these books is the lies that parents tell their kids and how that always comes back to bite them in the ass. My own parents were pretty honest with me and I always valued that. Mind you they were never part of a revolution but still the fact remains they were honest. I wish I could read one of these dystopian books where parents are just straight up with their kids.

I would recommend this book to fans of the dystopian genre and anyone who wants a fast read. I finished this book in under 6 hours.

While writing this review I was listening to the tv show SMASH.

Need by Carrie Jones

Goodreads Summary:
Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane...but Zara's pretty sure her mom just can't deal with her right now.

She couldn't be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara's overactive imagination. In fact, he's still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There's something not right - not human - in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara.

In this creepy, compelling breakout novel, Carrie Jones delivers romance, suspense, and a creature you never thought you'd have to fear.

My Thoughts:
I was attracted to this book because of the cover. Sadly, what they say about you can't judge a book on its cover is completely accurate on this book. I thought this book would be interesting, it was not. I will say that I liked one aspect of this book. Zara has memorized the technical names for fears and repeats them to herself. I liked learning the names of fears as a way to break up sections and chapters in the book.
This book had a lot of potential but it consistently fell short. The dialog was Twilight the movies level of bad. I often found myself rolling my eyes and sighing heavily from annoyance with the book. I almost gave up on finishing it several times. I think it was just sheer will that kept me coming back. Nick the "werewolf" was a bad knockoff of Jacob. I didn't even like Jacob. I am just really tired of the overly protective male leads who are so driven, but incredibly stupid.

I would not recommend this book to anyone.

While writing this review I was listening to Michael Ray and the Plastic Sheets.

Truth (XVI#2) by Julia Karr

Goodreads Summary:
In this sequel to "XVI," Nina Oberon's life has changed enormously. After her mother was killed, Nina discovered the truth about her father, the leader of the Resistance. And now she sports the same Governing Council-ordered tattoo of XVI on her wrist that all 16-year-old girls have. But Nina won't be anyone's stereotype. Original.

My thoughts:
Of the books in this genre that I have read lately I like this one the best. I think I like the feminist POV that comes out more blatantly in this series than in others. I like Nina because she is so easy to relate to. She isn't perfect and she is okay with that. She is pissed off and she is okay with it. She doesn't need a man to take care of her, she takes care of herself.
All of the women we liked in XVI we love in Truth. They are all strong and resourceful just like women have always been. They are not made the victim, they are the heroes.

I would recommend this book to fans of the dystopian genre or anyone looking for a fast good read.

While writing this review I have FUN - Young stuck in my head.

Also I would like to throw a Happy Day to my personal blogger hero

Fever By Lauren DeStefano

Goodreads Summary:
Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.

In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.

My thoughts: KINDA SPOILER ALERT
I had a hard time getting into this book. I think I was just not grooving the way that the book started. Once I got into it I couldn't put it down. Overall I would say that I liked this book. I was frustrated along with the characters at the pace of things. Rhine and Gabriel can't seem to catch a break after they leave the comfort of the mansion. We learn that there is something different about Rhine and her brother Rowan but we already suspected that because of their eyes being two different colors.
I liked the new character Maddie they introduce but it isn't totally clear why they introduce her. I felt like there was something missing from the explanation of how everything happened in the beginning of the book. I don't feel like I was lost by the writing but I do feel like it was rushed and some story development fell to the wayside.
I am looking forward to the next book to see what has become of Rowan and if Rhine can finally find her way back to him.

While writing this review I was listening to the mucus in my lungs rattle. Being sick is awesome.

Pandemonium (Delirium #2) by Lauren Oliver

Goodreads summary:
I’m pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.

Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite.


My thoughts: SPOILER ALERT!
I had this book on preorder and it finally showed up the other day in the mail. I wasn't going to read it until Spring Break but then it was looking at me and I had to pick it up. I loooooooved the first book in this series. This book I have not fully decided on how I feel about it. I liked how the story was told from the same person but in two different time frames. Then and Now. I felt like that way of writing kept me really wanting to read the next chapter. I felt bad for Lena for having to go through the grieving process of losing Alex (her boyfriend) all while trying to adjust and just survive the wilds.
One complaint I have about this book and others like it is the fact that they really reinforce the concept that you can't trust anyone. I wish there was less back stabbing or secret keeping between some of the main characters.
I am torn on how the book ended (SPOILER ALERT) with Alex coming back. Through out this book we go through the grieving process with Lena over Alex. As a reader I am happy for her when she finds someone else that she can connect with. I do not like that right as Lena is getting over Alex and with someone new he shows up, literally on the last page.
I can see why the book ended where it did. It creates loads of drama and anticipation for the third book. I do not like though that there is a love triangle in a book that really should be showing the good bits of love since that is what the Invalids are fighting for. I can't say what the third book will bring when it comes to this love triangle but I just hope it isn't sappy or lame as they so often are. I will be really disappointed if the third book sucks.
I do have high hopes for finding out more about Lena's Mom in book three. (SPOILER ALERT) since Lena had all of two minutes with her Mom (without knowing she was with her Mom) in this book. I want to learn more about the Resistant/ Freedom fighters and what their goal is.

I would recommend this book to those who read the first one and liked it. I would recommend the first book to anyone who enjoys odd stories that are well developed.

While writing this review I was listening to the Oingo Boingo Only a Lad which has been stuck in my head for days and my dog panting because she is getting hot from baking in the sun.