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.

Roommates Wanted by Lisa Jewell

Goodreads Summary:
1990. Please write and tell me why you should live here.

Toby Dobbs received a big Victorian house with too many bedrooms to count as a wedding present from his father, but his marriage is over within a month. Very alone, and very lonely, Toby posts an advertisement seeking the "Unexpectedly Alone" to become his roommates. Fifteen years later the wayward souls he takes in are still living with him, with no intention of leaving.

2004. Please tell me how I can convince you to move out.

Toby Dobbs has met Leah Pilgrim from across the road, and they're falling in love. But before they can begin a new life together, Toby and Leah must help Toby's house of sweet slackers and lovelorn misfits grow up, solve their problems, and set themselves free. But can their new relationship survive the test?

My thoughts:
I would like to say that I found the description above a little misleading but at the same time accurate. I went into this book thinking it was going to be a love story that would start somewhere in the beginning. The lovebirds don't get together until nearly the end of this book. I liked the slow pace of most of the book. Each character had development and I felt invested in all of them. Then the last twenty or so pages felt really rushed, as if the author suddenly realized she was already over 400 pages. I think the rushed ending did an injustice to a sweet book. I feel that in some ways the rushed ending has ruined my view of the book over all. I am hoping after a few days of thinking on it I go back to really liking this book. I loved that none of these characters were normal in anyway. I loved that each chapter unfolded a little more of the story without being overly predictable, that is until the end.

Over all I would say I liked this book but I didn't love it like I thought I would. I would recommend it to those who like Brit writers.

While writing this review I was listening to my dog run around the apartment after her bath.

Dear John by Nicolas Sparks

Goodreads Summary:
An angry rebel, John dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing what else to do with his life--until he meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah. Their mutual attraction quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah waiting for John to finish his tour of duty, and John wanting to settle down with the woman who has captured his heart. But 9/11 changes everything. John feels it is his duty to re-enlist. And sadly, the long separation finds Savannah falling in love with someone else. "Dear John," the letter read...and with those two words, a heart was broken and two lives were changed forever. Returning home, John must come to grips with the fact that Savannah, now married, is still his true love—and face the hardest decision of his life.

My thoughts:
Wow what a terrible ending. I have never really been a fan of Nicolas Sparks but for some reason I picked up two of his books from the library recently. What sappy crap! I know that a lot of people love him. For me his writing was overly predictable and boring. I knew he was going for the most obvious emotional sucker-punches he could find whenever he could find them. I had a hard time relating to the evolution or lack there of, of his main characters. Mostly I would say that this book was crap. I hated it. I thought about not finishing it multiple times. I saw the movie prior to reading the book and thought it too was terrible. I was told by several people the book was better. I now know I shouldn't trust a few opinions as much as I previously have.

I would not recommend this book to anyone really. I am not sure why this author is so popular.

While writing this review I was listening to my dog follow my Father around his kitchen.

Heat Wave by Richard Castle

Goodreads Summary:
A New York real estate tycoon plunges to his death on a Manhattan sidewalk. A trophy wife with a past survives a narrow escape from a brazen attack. Mobsters and moguls with no shortage of reasons to kill trot out their alibis. And then, in the suffocating grip of a record heat wave, comes another shocking murder and a sharp turn in a tense journey into the dirty little secrets of the wealthy. Secrets that prove to be fatal. Secrets that lay hidden in the dark until one NYPD detective shines a light.

Mystery sensation Richard Castle, blockbuster author of the wildly best-selling Derrick Storm novels, introduces his newest character, NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat. Tough, sexy, professional, Nikki Heat carries a passion for justice as she leads one of New York City's top homicide squads. She's hit with an unexpected challenge when the commissioner assigns superstar magazine journalist Jameson Rook to ride along with her to research an article on New York's Finest. Pulitzer Prize-winning Rook is as much a handful as he is handsome. His wise-cracking and meddling aren't her only problems. As she works to unravel the secrets of the murdered real estate tycoon, she must also confront the spark between them. The one called heat.

My thoughts:
This book is not my normal cup of tea. However, on the recommendation of a good friend I read it. I liked it. It didn't blow my mind or anything but it was a really good read. I enjoyed it and laughed more than once. I am a fan of the show Castle, so I likely have some pro-bias going on. I would say the characters were a little cliched and over the top but I think that worked for the story rather than against it.

I would recommend this book to fans of Castle or anyone who enjoys a little mystery light reading.

While writing this review I was listening to my heater kick on and coffee brew. Happy morning to everyone!

Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster

Goodreads Summary:
"To whom the fat rolls …I'm tired of books where a self-loathing heroine is teased to the point where she starves herself skinny in hopes of a fabulous new life. And I hate the message that women can't possibly be happy until we all fit into our skinny jeans. I don't find these stories uplifting; they make me want to hug these women and take them out for fizzy champagne drinks and cheesecake and explain to them that until they figure out their insides, their outsides don't matter. Unfortunately, being overweight isn't simply a societal issue that can be fixed with a dose healthy of positive self-esteem. It's a health matter, and here on the eve of my fortieth year, I've learned I have to make changes so I don't, you know, die. Because what good if finally being able to afford a pedicure if I lose a foot to adult onset diabetes?"

My thoughts:
I didn't dig this book as much as the other Jen Lancaster books I have read. I didn't hate it either. I would say this book and the space in my head just didn't match up this time. I didn't dive into this book and not come up for air until it was finished. I did read a bit each night and get a few chuckles. I liked that for the most part Jen stayed positive about her self image. I liked that she wanted to feel better and the major motivation for losing weight wasn't to be more sexy which is often the case with these books.

I would recommend this book to fans of Jen Lancaster or maybe to people needing some motivation to get up and move more.

While writing this review I was listening to the migraine storming around in my head.

Julie and Julia by Julie Powell

Goodreads Summary:
Some people go on pilgrimages; Julie Powell attempted to master one cookbook. Thirty years old, bored with her job, hating her Queens apartment, Powell decided to transcend her life by concocting all 524 recipes in Julia Child's 1961 classic Mastering the Art of French Cooking -- in a single year. Replicating Child's kitchen artistry at such short notice tested Julie's skill and stamina, not to mention her husband's patience; but it did produce a high-spirited, sometimes hilarious memoir.

My thoughts:
She had me from her first Buffy the Vampire reference. Reading this book was very much so like reading the journal of a fellow nerd. I love nerd books. Julie Powell is a nerd. She is normal and doesn't pretend to be anything else. She is honest about her short comings and equally honest about her triumphs. While I can't relate to a blog saving someone from themselves (yes I know I write a blog) I can relate to having a project have unexpected awesome benefits.

I would recommend this to people who didn't like the movie. I hated the movie. Julie Powell is no where near as annoying as Amy Adams.

While writing this review I was listening to my dog bark at neighbors, no I did not attempt to stop her. I don't like those neighbors either.

Born Standing Up By Steve Martin

Goodreads Summary:
In the midseventies, Steve Martin exploded onto the comedy scene. By 1978 he was the biggest concert draw in the history of stand-up. In 1981 he quit forever. This book is, in his own words, the story of "why I did stand-up and why I walked away."

Emmy and Grammy Award winner, author of the acclaimed New York Times bestsellers Shopgirl and The Pleasure of My Company, and a regular contributor to The New Yorker, Martin has always been a writer. His memoir of his years in stand-up is candid, spectacularly amusing, and beautifully written.

At age ten Martin started his career at Disneyland, selling guidebooks in the newly opened theme park. In the decade that followed, he worked in the Disney magic shop and the Bird Cage Theatre at Knott's Berry Farm, performing his first magic/comedy act a dozen times a week. The story of these years, during which he practiced and honed his craft, is moving and revelatory. The dedication to excellence and innovation is formed at an astonishingly early age and never wavers or wanes.

Martin illuminates the sacrifice, discipline, and originality that made him an icon and informs his work to this day. To be this good, to perform so frequently, was isolating and lonely. It took Martin decades to reconnect with his parents and sister, and he tells that story with great tenderness. Martin also paints a portrait of his times — the era of free love and protests against the war in Vietnam, the heady irreverence of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in the late sixties, and the transformative new voice of Saturday Night Live in the seventies.

Throughout the text, Martin has placed photographs, many never seen before. Born Standing Up is a superb testament to the sheer tenacity, focus, and daring of one of the greatest and most iconoclastic comedians of all time.

My thoughts:
I learned for a fact what I always thought of Steve Martin, he isn't a Wild and Crazy GUY! He is a nerd and a bit aloof. I too am a nerd and a bit aloof. Years ago I saw the play Picasso at the Lapin Agile. I loved it. I wanted to see it again and again. Sure this has some credit to the actors but mostly I loved the writing. It was then that I formed my writer's crush on Steve Martin.
This crush is still with me after reading his memoir of comedy. He is more complicated that meets the eye but that is true with everyone. I enjoyed the history factoids throughout the book; from the opening of Disneyland to the first airing of Saturday Night Live.
I would not say that I left this book knowing Steve Martin. I think even after reading more than one book he has written I have a slightly more clear snap shot of him. Really, I hope I never feel like I know Steve Martin so I can A) continue to have my crush and B) be surprised by his writing in the future.

I would recommend this book to Steve Martin fans and anyone who likes autobiographies.

While writing this review I was listening to my dog crash around the house.

Bright Lights, Big Ass by Jen Lancaster

Goodreads Summary:
Jen Lancaster hates to burst your happy little bubble, but life in the big city isn't all it's cracked up to be. Contrary to what you see on TV and in the movies, most urbanites aren't party-hopping in slinky dresses and strappy stilettos. But lucky for us, Lancaster knows how to make the life of the lower crust mercilessly funny and infinitely entertaining.

Whether she's reporting rude neighbors to Homeland Security, harboring a crush on her grocery store clerk, or fighting-and losing-the Battle of the Stairmaster- Lancaster explores how silly, strange, and not-so-fabulous real city living can be. And if anyone doesn't like it, they can kiss her big, fat, pink, puffy down parka.

My thoughts:
If I were a girly-girl and a republican I think I would be Jen Lancaster. I am not sure why it startled me every time she mentioned watching FOX News, but alas it did. I was like finding out my bestie was secretly hiding some their freaky porcelain doll collection. Weird yes, reason to disown no (at least not yet). I enjoyed this book and got a few laughs from it. I didn't love this book as much as Bitter is the New Black but I don't blame Jen for that. I blame being sick and fucking grumpy while reading her book. I will say that reading her book made me far less grumpy. It also made me want to join a gym again.
I dig the way that Jen can be so open and honest about all the fucked up things in her life. While I have never exploded out of my pants, I have thought more than once it was a real possibility. Also, I would like to mention that I find it interesting that no matter what part of the country you are in the employees at Trader Joes all have a similar appearances and behaviors. I don't know if this is comforting or creepy.
I lived in downtown SLC for a few years and after watching a homeless man pee on my car every morning for two of those years it was refreshing to know that other people in other cities enjoyed the same weird things. I had the weirdest neighbors while living downtown. At least that is what I thought until I moved to the suburbs of SLC. Now these people are fucking insane.

I would recommend this book to people like me or those who enjoy reading about the lives of normal bitchy fat girls.

While writing this review was listening to Florence and the Machine.