I Will Always Love You by Cecily von Ziegesar

Read: September 15-21, 2011

read in a week

pages: 400

I'd have to say after reading the last of the series in a fairly consecutive order with little other material in between, things flowed nicely, but the repetitiveness and the name dropping did get old REAL quick. I can happily say I'm done with the series, with the exception of the prequel. I'm going to hold off reading it and read other novels for the time being. I need a bit more substance!


With this novel it didn't feel like the author was grabbing at straws as much. This novel felt much closer to the first few books in the series, so I enjoyed it a bit more than the last few. Some of the plot lines were still a bit far fetched, and I did find it a bit easy that the "couple" of the past made a reappearance. I felt that was too easy in that the author could have switched things up a bit better. The Blair and Chuck coupling was a nice change of pace, for me unexpected and it worked. At first I wasn't sure, but it worked in the end for the time being.  Overall I'd say this novel didn't seem as bad as the last book. The last one was just terrible in my personal opinion. 


The format of the book was something I liked. The novel was broken down into four sections, and I liked the idea of strictly coming back to the characters at the same time four times for their college years rather than be bored with their day to day going to classes spread across the world and there would have required too much jumping around. 

Don't You Forget About Me by Cecily von Ziegesar

Read: September 9-15, 2011

read in 6 days

pages: 240

Blah Blah Blah. More of the same. Name dropping, incredible and far fetched schemes that some how always manage to succeed. Thank goodness the series is nearing the end. I've had my fill.

Finally caught up!!!!

Okay so now I'm finally caught up. I've literally read NOTHING this ENTIRE weekend. I did have a good weekend though. I spent some of yesterday shopping which was fun. Don't do that all that often and now that I'm full time well I finally have a little spending money!!! Always a plus. Also I met up with some ladies from work to celebrate a co-worker's birthday which was a good time that in a way surprised me.

So I'm off to decide what I may read next. I was planning to read Anne of Green Gables this weekend but what I got from it Friday when I tried to start it....I wasn't so into it. Hmm but I have plenty of other things to read = )

Would I Lie to You: Gossip Girl #10 by Cecily von Ziegesar

Read: September 5-9, 2011

read in 4 days

pages: 208

really? come on. Serena has been secretly in love with Nate this WHOLE time? I know these books are not great literature and they are not exactly deep, but I think the authorvis just grabbing a plot lines as though they are straws. it seems a bit ridiculous that even the reader has never heard an internal monologue of Serena's "realization" until the 10th book. plus wasn't it two books ago that Serena and Nate were "together"? and she never had a chance to say "i love you"? another annoyance is that now rather than span a school year or even a month like the last couple books, you know so the author can milk this series, has now become a week to two weeks at most. ugh get it over with already!

Fade by Lisa McMann

Read: September 4-5, 2011

read in a day

pages: 248

Well I liked Fade, but it was not as good as the first one. It took me about 80 pages in to get hooked to this one. The narrative didn't bother me with this one since I picked this one up literally seconds after finishing Wake. I still liked the characters and their interactions with each other. I liked the development of the characters and seeing them deal with their demons. Didn't care as much for the plot line of this one as I did with the first one. Mostly with Fade what I liked was when Janie read Martha Stubin's green notebook and Janie discovers what her future will be like if she chooses the continue down the path she is currently on as a Dream Catcher. I found this very creative on the part of the writer.

Intriguing, but not sure at this point if I'll want to read the third installment.

I've read some reviews about the third novel and I really don't see myself reading it. Not that I take other reviews entirely to mean whether I will or will not like something or even give something a try, but from what I gather about the third novel is that the characterization of the characters Janie and Cabel is so completely opposite of the first two and could make me dislike one or both of them, I think I'd much rather keep the feelings I have for them and not see where this final novel leads.

Wake by Lisa McMann

Read: September 3-4, 2011

read in a day

pages: 210

Really good! The narrative is strange but the story just sucked me right in. I'm so glad now that I was able to get book two Fade at the same time. I don't need to feel a withdraw I can sink right back in along with these two characters. It's heart breaking to see these two characters in their broken state intially in this book, but seeing them come together and help one another cope and heal from their individual pain was great. Cant wait to be pulled under once again!

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier translated by Anthea Bell

Read: August 31-September 3, 2011

read in 4 days

pages: 324

LOVED LOVED LOVED IT! Can not wait for the next three books to be translated. Intrigue and all kinds of mystery involved. I liked the cover so I picked it up, read the back and was interested when I read that the premise had time-travel. Not just time travel....but a TIME TRAVEL GENE! Okay now you have my attention, because not only now are you throwing in an interesting plot there is some serious potential of historical facts and period type action thrown in. Likable characters with some not so likable characters as well. Not that the characters are badly written, because they are not, the author just does well with making the other characters unlikable in terms of the characteristics. Nice little twist, and a teaser ending. Makes me wish I didn't have to wait til Spring 2012 for the next book in the series to be translated and released. Makes me wish MORE that I knew how to read GERMAN!

Only In Your Dreams: Gossip Girl #9 by Cecily von Ziegesar

Read: August 28-31, 2011

read in 4 days

pages: 240

Blah Blah Blah. No review. Moving on!

The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell

Read: August 15-28, 2011

read in 13 days

pages: 400

Introducing Carrie Bradshaw! I've tried reading the Sex and the City book, and I got NO WHERE! I might be able to try again now that I've watched the ENTIRE series as I own it on DVD and have now read this book which is toted as a prequel to the novel. I'm not sure how that works as from what I understand about the Sex and the City book the novel is actually small essays written by Candace Bushnell in her early journalistic days. This prequel is about Carrie Bradshaw BEFORE New York City, which would in a way make the novel a bit autobiographical at least that is the way I would think it would work but not sure if that is really the case. Hmm anyways I like the character Carrie and ***SPOILER ALERT!!*** I love the ending and her calling up Samantha Jones!!! What a great way to end the novel and begin to introduced Samantha and the new world Carrie is about to enter!!

The prequel has a sequel and is a little miniseries with two novels. I'll be looking for the next novel because it looks like it could be getting to the good stuff. This will likely show how Carrie comes to meet Charlotte, Samantha (obviously) and Miranda.

Recommended to any fans of Sex and the City!!!

Naked by David Sedaris

Read: July9-August 26, 2011

read over a long period of time

pages: 291

Recommended by: Sherri

This guy is so funny. I will admit that I skipped a portion of one essay because I had to set the thing down and was unable to pick it up and get into that particular essay. With the exception of that essay, the rest of the book is great. Laugh out loud in parts, and there were some that were memorable such as Naked. I'll continue to read Sedaris as he is recommended by a co-worker or two = ) Plus someone is lending me to them as they read through his books!

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

Read: August 6-14, 2011

read in 9 days

pages: 496

Angels. What isn't to like about that? I enjoyed the story. Not quite what I was expecting even though I didn't know much about the story and what to expect from it. But I did like the story. I'm not sure if I'll read any more in the series, as it is now a series since the first did so well, but it wasn't a terrible read. Likable characters. The cover art is neat too, with the exception of the girl.....she is kind of weird looking, and he is cartoonish - or maybe it is manga-ish?

Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia C. Wrede, Caroline Stevermer

Read: July 30-August 5, 2011

read in a week

pages: 336

Sooooo difficult to read!!! It really shouldn't be. There should be a warning label that warns the reader immediately. It too me far too long to read this book. It very nearly took a month and I'm not a slow reader by any means.

I did like some aspects of the books for instance I liked the male characters and thought they were contrasting enough to have a voice of their own.....the female characters....Cecilia and Kate however did not. I really liked the concept that the novel is epistolary and the format was part of the reason I was attracted to the book (that and the cover which has been revamped as this is actually a book released in the mid 1980's - the revamp I believe was because there is some magic (though never explained)...and thanks to Harry Potter making all things magical popular again the author was given an opportunity to push her book I suppose).

What I didn't like was that since Kate and Cecilia didn't have very distinctive voices I was lost each time I'd pick the book back up. I would wonder which character I was with and which town I was in. This was a major turn off. I had abandoned the book at one point, but decided to give it another chance. I don't regret finishing it because I did want to see how things ended; I will not pick up another book by this author let alone the next in this Cecilia and Kate series though. And I will not recommend it to anyone.

Kudos on the cover though, cause that is OF COURSE why I picked it up in the first place.

Funny story is that when I took this book back to the library, the librarian asked me to explain it to her because it looked like a good read. I attempted to and she said "okay nevermind then. I was thinking it would be a quick little read!"

Nothing Can Keep Us Together: Gossip Girl # 8 by Cecily von Ziegesar

Read: July 26-29, 2011

read in 3 days

pages: 240

Once again more of the same. Seen my previous posts about the series if there is anything to say it will be there too.

The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller

Read: July 19-23, 2011

read in 5 days

pages: 411

Not bad.  I was intrigued by the concept.  It sounded a bit like the Time Traveler's Wife in a way but for teens.  The difference is that its reincarnation rather than simply moving through time.  So maybe its nothing like the Time Traveler's Wife.

Ah well anyways, I did like the book.  Liked the characters. What I really liked about the book is that the story was able to make me feel something.  I was so mad at the end, let's say within the last 10 pages or so when Iain is thought to have died in the fire, I was ready to throw the book across the room (luckily for the book, and for the wall Iain does appear after all). I completely understand it makes total sense given the premise that at times Constance and Ethan are unable to be together for whatever reason and history is repeating itself...but sheesh why write a novel that is going to repeat the past you harp on throughout the book???

Anyways the author did give a satisfactory ending and I enjoyed the book.  I'm not likely to read any further, as I see as per usual this is turning into a series which is so typical of teen books lately, because well things wrapped the way I wanted and I don't feel the need to continue further with these characters.  Quick read, and I'd recommend it to others who like teen novels.

Matched by Ally Condie

Read: July 15-18, 2011

read in 3 days

pages: 384

Beautiful cover art! Love it. And for being drawn by the cover and at first somewhat by the plot line of the story I was really glad I picked this one up. A sci-fi feel to it where the characters are all matched and paired by a computerized system. Reminded me of "The Giver" by Lois Lowry in some aspects. The characters lives are completely decided for them. I really liked the characters and the way it appears that the main character Cassia (love the name) is attempting to break out of the mold she is being forced into. Seems to be a series and one that I'd like to continue reading. I'll be looking for it on the library shelves = )

Girls Who Gossip by Theresa Alan

Read: July 9-14, 2011

read in 6 days

pages: 320

Thought from this title surely this will be like Gossip Girl, but funnily enough there is little in it that reminded me of Gossip Girl. Actually there is gossip but it revolves around the main characters father and her aunt. Not about the early twenty-something. Not a bad read, likable characters. Nothing over the top amazing, more like a summery beach read. Might revisit one day if there is nothing else catching my attention.

Nobody Does it Better: Gossip Girl # 7 by Cecily von Ziegesar

Read: July 4-9, 2011

read in 5 days

pages: 240

More of the same. Name dropping, annoying little girls in New York City. Nothing very memorable. It all blends together after a while.

As a side note: I know there is a television series made now that is based on these characters and while I'm interested to know whether any of the happenings in the novel take place in the show I'm not interested enough to zap my brain cells to find out.

One of the most interesting things about the novels to me is the titles. Like this one for instance: Nobody Does it Better.....great Carly Simon song = )