A Reader's Addiction

Read: July 25-28, 2012 read in 4 days pages: 401 When I started the book I'm not quite sure what I was expecting. Girl is given the option to either live with her Gran to stay in the same school OR move to NY and attend a boarding school. Hmm which option to choose? Obviously the boarding school. Once getting to said boarding school Violet meets a mysterious boy who later plays a big role in her new life. After meeting her roommate Violet is suddenly surrounded by an amazing group of friends which is unlike her past. She has always struggled to keep everyone at a distance because she has these visions or premonitions that tend to be about the people she loves. The kicker is they always come true, and they are never wrong. On the second day of school however Violet learns she is not the freak she has always thought she was. Turns out the boarding school is a school FOR teenagers with psychic "gifts". They are told to sign an agreement that they will not use t...

Read: July 11-24, 2012 read in 14 days pages: 613 An exquisite journey with twists and turns that keep the reader intrigued and guessing just how all these pieces are going to fit together in the end. Felix J. Palma has crafted a beautiful written story set in 19th century London with genuine characters you really care about. There are three parts to this novel and each part deals with a slightly different set of characters. The opening story is of Andrew Harrington and his beloved Marie Kelly. The story is one of heartache and lost love. Andrew wants nothing more than to escape the life he has been living the last 8 years. With the help of his cousin and the crafty, creative H.G. Wells Andrew finds the solace he is seeking.  The second part is the story of Claire Haggerty and Captain Derek Shackleton. Claire is a woman who feels she does not belong in her time and longs to break out. She doesn't want to marry the "dandies" that are courting her. She...

Read: July 22-23, 2012 read in a  few hours pages: 134 This was a very quick read. I'm not entirely sure what I really expected from it. I guess maybe some interesting insight into people who are now well known accomplished people. I enjoyed a few letters more than others, but overall it is an ok read. I think aside from getting an insight into these well known people and to see what kind of advice or wisdom they would like to have known then is the fact that this is written in letter form. I always like to read letters in books and this was a really great set up. I enjoyed the letters by J.K. Rowling, Jodi Picoult, Cassandra Peterson a.k.a. Elvira, Rose McGowan, James Belushi, Moon Zapp, Jenna Elfman, Michelle Rodriguez, ugh ok I'm not listing anymore...that was a lot of name dropping for sure. Either way the letters accomplish what I hope was their goal in that there are small nuggets of genuine insight that these people wish they could impart to their young...

The year is half over and I'm working towards my goal of reading 85 books this year. I'm excited to see that so far according to Goodreads challenge tracker I am currently on track. Very good news since last year I missed my 75 books. Last year didn't end typically though so I have to take that into consideration. THIS year is looking much better. I haven't hit my lull at all. Do you ever have a lull? I am so used to having a weekend or two throughout the course of the year where I just get BLAH and can't focus on ANYTHING! Luckily that has yet to slow me down. So looking back over the, well at this writing anyways, 45 books I've read so far this year I thought I could recap some of my favorite books and ask what are some of your favorite books you've read so far this year. I have to admit not all of mine are current releases, so I may not have anything that anyone else has read this year, but it is still fun to compare. We may even inspire the other to...

Read: July 16-17, 2012 Read : in a few hours Pages: 159 Another quick little read. Some phrases made me laugh out loud while others were just humorous. I kept thinking over and over this poor kid. Wow, I can't imagine who would make this kind of stuff up. This has to be non-fiction. I thought David Sedaris had some stuff to deal with.... The intro and the last story frame the book very well, and I really liked the layout. The stories are interspersed with funny little phrases his dad said on a variety of topics. I think of the stories though my favorite would have to be the one about Angus. I felt so sorry for the little guy when Halpern returned home from work. Luckily things worked out in the end for both parties. Fair warning while this is a funny book I wouldn't recommend it to just anyone. If you are offended by foul language, crude comments and shy away from blunt honesty....well just don't bother. Also if you are offended by curse words this one...

Read: July 10-15, 2012 Read: in a few hours really didn't take days Pages: 128 This was a quick read with a lot of really good insight and suggestions on how to get started writing a memoir. The book is very casual and informal. From what I can gather the author carries a diary around with her at all times and makes random notes and observations which later serve to jog her memory and help with her later writings. This book seems to be compiled with a lot of these little musings that start with one detail or memory and spiral off into something else. After each story there is a writing prompt encouraging the reader to actively engage with the book and start writing down their own memories. While I only did one of the exercises I intend to look back through for more exercises that I might like to write with a given prompt. I really liked the format and thought this was a great starting point for someone considering the idea of writing their own memoir. The author m...

What'cha waiting for??? I've compiled a short list of titles I'm anxiously waiting for release either sometime the end of this year or sometime early next year. I really should compile a list of books ALREADY released that I haven't gotten around to reading just yet. Author's Book Blurb: Lizzie and her beautiful sister Ninna are forced to work in a huge Manor and on a steamship to support their family.   They are caught up in several mysteries: The squire’s oldest son cannot leave the attic An old typewriter seems to move time and space A passenger hides in a secret cabin A beautiful visitor is plotting against them And Lizzie discovers that she has a strange, new ability. She and her sister must discover the secrets of The Lamplighter’s Special before their enemy catches up with them. Expected release date: 2012 Author's Book Blurb: She lost her sight and her family. He lost his hearing and all hope for happiness. ...

Hello all!  I've had the wonderful opportunity of interviewing Darcy Town, author of The Wastes series and the Morningstar series. She was gracious enough to answer some questions about not only TheWastes series but The Morningstar series as well. I am excited to be able to share the interview with you.   What inspired you to write Wastes of Space ? I was inspired by a combination of a few things.  I saw a particular piece of artwork by an artist that goes by Hamlet Machine (I admire her art.  Her stuff is very adult…so forewarned).  The drawing is a simple piece: a girl and her protector in a sci-fi setting.  That character dynamic clicked with me.  My other published books are all about adults.  For Wastes , I wanted to write something that also featured young adults.  I play with ageism a lot in the Wastes series…aka judging a person by the number of years they’ve lived instead of what kind of years they’ve lived.  Ravil is...

Read: July 5-10, 2012 read in 5 days pages: 423 Book synopsis blurb: Haven Moore and Iain Morrow have been living a blissful life in Rome, an ocean way from the Ouroboros Society and its diabolical leader. But paradise is not to last. The mysterious disappearance of Haven's best friend, Beau, sends the pair running back to New York, where they encounter the Horae, an underground group of women who have spent centuries scheming to destroy Adam Rosier. Only they can help Haven uncover the secret to Beau's whereabouts in one of her past lives. But their help comes at a price: Haven must infiltrate the Ouroboros Society, charm Adam Rosier, and lure him into a trap. It's a plan the Horae believe will save the world-but Haven and Iain fear that it may destroy the happiness they've been chasing for two thousand years.  I decided to go ahead and pick up the second book in this series. I really enjoyed the first book and for me the ending was enough of ...

Read: June 30- July 4, 2012 read in 5 days pages: 368 Wow! Now that was a excellent story! I'm 3 for 3 in contacting OUTSTANDING Indie Authors with unique voices and incredible story telling abilities!! I am so glad I stumbled upon this gem on Goodreads.com and contacted the author about reading and reviewing the book. The premise of aliens, Earth and a war caught my attention initially. I had no idea what I was in for. Looking for adventure, adrenaline, sex, lust and romance with a dash of humor? Look no further. Ms. Town has packed it all into Wastes of Space . I refuse to give details on the plot because I will not give away anything. The construction of the novel works well with the plot line and everything is revealed exactly as it should be. I admit that at least for the beginning, the build up is slow and gradual in filling in these gaps in information. This could bother some people, but let me tell you the novel is worth sticking with. You will not be disa...

Hello All! Today's blog features an interview with L.M. Stull, author of A Thirty-Something Girl . I recently read and reviewed the novel a couple weeks ago and was excited when she agreed to the interview. I want to thank L.M. for so kindly agreeing to the interview and for taking the time out of her schedule to tell us a little about her novel and herself. What inspired you to write A Thirty-Something Girl? One night after my ex-husband and I had split, I lay wide awake thinking about my life and all the good and bad things in it, all the good and bad things I did. And I knew this story needed to be written. I wrote it more as a therapy for myself. And also for other women (and men) out there. I felt (and still do feel today) that so many of us feel lonely (and very lost) at one point or another in our lives. And I guess I wanted people to know that they aren't really alone. Ever. And that being happy really is as simple as deciding what outfit to wear – it'...

I was asked to write a guest blog over at Indie Author & Artist Jenna Elizabeth Johnson's blog at : Jenna Elizabeth Johnson . This was a great experience and I look forward to collaborating with Jenna and other Indie Authors as well in the future! Drop in and check out the post and everything else Jenna's page has to offer!!