Day 7---- Blogging Quirks!!

Blogging According to Amanda!!

So I've been book reviewing for a long time. However being new to the blogging world. I'm going to share my process with you in pictures.

Dramatic Moment before starting!

Being responsible ready to write with my notepad.

Sigh! Brain why must you forget every detail of a book right now?

Come on Book remind me of why all your greatness!

Characters! Characters! Characters! Yes!!! Now I remember!!!

That was fun actually!

Time to Publish this for the world to see! Or that one loner in the corner.

Day 6---- How I SHOP FOR BOOKS???

How I shop for books???

Well I'm addicted to used bookstores. I love walking into the one down here in Jacksonville,Florida. It's this huge Wearhouse of used books. The front is a worn down theater and the inside is rows and rows of floor to celing books. There are rooms of these shelves. I love to get 

lost in the YA/Teen Room or The Children's Chapter Books. I always am on the look out of something different something that might not be the “in” thing. I also am looking for the “in” thing for a realistic price.

My kids love books too so I can their books at half the price it's a good day. They read as quickly as I do and fall for series books. So I like that there are PLENTY to choose from.

http://www.chamblinbookmine.com/default.aspx

Back home we have a used bookstore in Greenville,SC that I like a good bit too. It's not my favorite but, they do have a good selection of “IN” books all  of the time.

http://mrksusedbooks.com/

My other ways are Amazon for my kindle I look for the 00.0 deals or ones that are under 5 dollars. I know those are normally indie authors and if you haven't noticed I love those books.

Thrift Stores are a great place to search out books. Sure their selection is limited but sometimes you can luck out and find something really great.

Final and last place is Books-A-Million Clearence Aisles I always find something there.

So those are my secerts to buying books what are yours?

Aversion by kenechi Udogu

Aversion

Written by: Kenechi Udogu

reviewed by: Amanda Peake

Aversion is a novella it's 133 pages. Kenechi manages to pack quite a lot into that small amount of space though. I've often wondered weather there are people who have the powers of influence over society. This book takes that curiosity and runs with it. As you know any book I read I have to talk about the characters.

Gemma-

This girl takes risk without being stupid. She's smart, funny, and loveable. The best thing about Gemma is she puts others before herself. In her life that is not the easiest thing to do. I would like to see her dive a little deeper emotionally. Over all she is a well written character.

Russ-

He is sweet and smart. I like that he is to smart to fall for Gemma's lies. His instinct is to not believe Gemma so he ends up head first mixed up in everything. When he finds out the truth is becomes protective without being pushy. He's written a little to perfectly for my taste buds. I'm sure he's just right for Gemma though.

OVERALL-

This book has a great concept and is well written. It does lack depth but it makes up for that in fun and mystery. The romance is sweet without being over the top.

I give this book according to my new rating standards a 

8

Good to Go!

Day 5 ... Recommend a Tear Jerker.

As you can see I don't do fiction tear jerkers. I do real life ones things we can get passionate about and do soemthing to stop. 

Day 4: What was the last book I threw?

Day 4.. The last book I threw?

Sigh, I am not a book thrower. I at some points feel like throwing them. I just have this huge issue with not taking care of books (ask my kids). I think of books as works of art and even if I don't enjoy them someone will. So the one I wanted to throw was

THE 5th Wave by Rick Yancey. 

Read the review to find out why...... 

The Book blogger Challenge Day 2

Day 2... What is my bed time book reading routine?

This one is funny to me. I have horrible routines period right now. My health makes it impossible to have one really. I go to be when I'm ready to SLEEP not read. I read when I'm in situations where I need an escape. chemo treatments.. etc... bed is for turning on some TV show and falling asleep. I read at night when I tired but can't sleep. Books keep me way to invovled. So there is my non- answer..

The challenge.

If you check out my Current Challenge Page you are going to find this picture along with some explanation to why I'm doing this and what to expect. 

Day 1.

1. I like bad boys in theory but I have a huge soft spot for the best friend or sweet guy.

2. I am a book collector as well as avid reader. I can't help myself if I go into a store of any kind and it has a book section I'm there. I don't always buy them but I gaze longingly at them for sure. Even though I have like 90 books I need to read.

3. I have a system to organizing my books that NO ONE but me would understand. However if you ask if I have a book I know YES or No and where to find it. 

4. I have four favorite authors currently and though I'm awaiting a print edition of a debut novel it already has a place saved. My husband once moved my books around and I got really upset lol.

5. If I read a series of books that I really like I will slowly want all of them in print which leaves the issue of where to put them all. I really like what some authors end up doing making one big book with 3 or 4 of the series in one. Saves so much room :-)

6. My mom started my reading addiction quite young. I have since I can remember always had books. My mom told me once I would read them so fast that she didn't quite believe I had read them. She would quiz me on them. Then she would shake her head and say go find a library I can't afford to keep buying you all these books.  I love that about her. I in turn have done the same for my boys. My youngest started reading at 3 and loves books under the table or the middle of the doorway are his favorite places to drop and open a book. 

7. Sometimes when I go to a friends home I judge them by their bookshelves. They don't have to like what I do but, a lack of books is never a good thing (unless moving). Also if the Twilight series is out front ready to be seen I generally have a sarcastic comment.

8. One of my favorite reading experiences was this year.  My mom, my two sons and I were in a restaurant in TX  and the boys were being loud. So I saw a bookshelf and grabbed The Children's Illustrated Classic  Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens willing to try anything to settle them. I didn't expect what happened next though they were so sucked into the book that they started begging for me to read it. I so enjoyed watching them here a classic for the first time. Next was Pippi Longstockings and we've read everyone so far. I love that during family story time they can hear some of the old "classics" and love them.

9. I have to admit it really annoys me when I'm reading a book and the science doesn't add up. For example if there is a lack of Oxygen and there are huge fires I kinda need an explanation. 

10. I am so happy that there are books that are geared toward boys now. I remember for a long time boys weren't encouraged to read as much as girls. I'm so glad that's changed. 

11. I'm a Young Adult/ New Adult fanatic because I find most adult books so slow and boring. I fall asleep a lot when I'm reading something like Nicholas Sparks.. don't laugh.

12. My absolute favorite books are Dystopian or Paranormal with a twist. Like Kaitlyn Davis vampire books.

13. I see the movie of the book as I read. My mind is completely a theater in and of itself. So when a book I love goes to the big screen I must watch it knowing the whole time they are totally ruining what could have be EPIC. LOL I'm worried about Divergent.

14. I hate jumpy out scary things or thrillers that are to real. Ghosts, Vampires, Zombies for the most part are fine. Give me killer bees, people, ants etc.. NO. I abhor horror movies for this reason. The blood and guts don't phase me the suspense and jumpy stuff does. 

15. I read all the Vampire Diaries books and loved them. However in this instance I love the TV show and it's vastly different story for the same reasons. No it's not Damon.. It's the other brother. LOL

Legend by Marie Lu

Legend

Written by: Marie Lu

reviewed by: Amanda Peake

To begin with, I couldn't tell if this was really going to be my sort of book... Sure, I love dystopian epics... But this one seemed a bit, you know, cheesy. After reading the first few chapters, I was still uncertain – it didn't seem extremely special or attention grabbing. Actually it seemed predictable and blah to tell the truth. Then I was captured by this amazing story. I was wrong, so very, very wrong. LEGEND turned out to be a fast-paced ride full of twists, turns, adventure and with secret conspiracies too! I couldn't put this one down. I honestly haven't been this captivated by a straight dystopian book since HUNGER GAMES and STEEL LILY. 

The novel is told through two different perspectives: Day and June. Each of the characters has their own back stories and reasons for why they are motivated that are both relate able and understandable. Day is a criminal from the slums of the Republic’s Lake Sector. He is trying to get a cure for his dying brother who is dying from a disease that is killing off the poor at an alarming rate. June, a prodigy living in one of the Republic's wealthy sectors, and is trying to avenge her brother's death. She has no clue how he died or who did it. She only gets told what the Republic wants her to hear to turn her into another military official. Now add in a eclectic bunch of side characters with there own needs and personalities and you can't go wrong! I am going to go ahead and put this book along side my favorites. Legend will now hold a place of honor on my constantly changing book shelf.

Favorite Quotes:

I will hunt you down. I will scour the streets of Los Angeles for you. Search every street in the Republic if I have to. I will trick you and deceive you, lie, cheat and steal to find you, tempt you out of your hiding place, and chase you until you have nowhere else to run. I make you this promise: your life is mine.” 

If you want to rebel, rebel from inside the system. That's much more powerful than rebelling outside the system.” 

“They never found out who did it, and I never came forward. There was, after all, no evidence. I had committed my first perfect crime. My mother used to hope that I would rise up from my humble roots. Become someone successful, or even famous.
I’m famous all right, but I don’t think it’s what she had in mind.” 

I've actually read the next book in the series too and Prodigy does not go through the same sequel issues at all. I'm finding so many great books lately.

I don't think I need to even say this at this point but, LEGEND gets

5 STARS!! 

Ghost Hand by Ripley Patton

Ghost Hand

Written by : Ripley Patton

Reviewed by: Amanda Peake

Ripley Patton funded this book through Kickstarter. That tells me she had enough interest before the book was written to begin this journey. She had a fan base and with good reason. This story is wonderful. She writes about a medical condition that I googled just to make sure it wasn't real (I didn't think so but..). That's how amazing of a job she did explaining how this worked. Now Let's dive into the character Olivia a bit.......

Olivia is a teenage girl who is funny, sarcastic, snarky, and a bit over the top at times. I don't know of any teenagers that aren't over the top about something. Her's is her Gothic looks and likes. She's into cemeteries, black clothes and coffin book bags. While I might be more interested in the dead if the living were scared of me because of a birth defect I had oh, and my dad died. Olivia has Psyche Sans Soma otherwise know as PSS. She has a hand that is metaphysical. This hand takes things out of people that is beyond Olivia's control. As the author put it she can “pick pocket the soul”. Olivia's story is full of action, unexpected twist, dramatic, suspenseful and thrilling moments.

I'm going to be waiting impatiently for book number two. I really want to know if she and Marcus are going to make it as a couple. How is she going to help the others. Most of all what exciting twist are around the next corner for our characters.

I say this a lot and mean it every time. Do yourself a favor and get this book. 

5 Stars 

Awesome giveaway!!

Appreciation Month - Gift Card/Kindle Giveaway- by Mia Hoddell!!

Her new book Elemental Killers deadly to love is out on amazon for $2.99. It's a great read and you get entered to win an amazon giftcard. Well worth the low cost of the book TRUST me. 

Here's the Link:  http://miahoddell.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/appreciation-month-gift-cardkindle.html

INK: Fine Lines by Bella Roccaforte

INK: Fine Lines

Written by: Bella Roccaforte

Reviewed by: Amanda Peake

I was given this book not for a review but, because this author was kind enough to offer me an escape form my doctor ridden day of Chemo. I didn't once tell her I was going to review it so surprise Bella here's your review. LOL! Admittedly I was told I would either love or hate this book that had me intrigued to say the least. I'm going to use a movie example for this book Donnie Darko. I hated the movie so much I mean OMG hated it. However that speaks volumes for the love I actually had for it. THIS BOOK IS THE SAME WAY FOR ME. I was yelling at the it then laughing I swear it made me CRAZY!! (shh.. I know I am already)

This story is a New Adult Paranormal story. I do not recommend it for teens. That being said this story mixes some of my favorite things murder and romance. There is enough Murder with gory details without being gross and enough love to have the triangle and square too? This is a whole new concept and world we are exploring it's honestly really interesting. The love triangle is interesting instead of OMG choose already. The characters are fun too. Speaking of characters ….

Shay this girl made me want to smack her one minute and hug her the next. She can't make up her mind. She is so real you can literally imagine meeting her in the real world. She has these moments of saying things that are completely self destructive. Then she's loveable and you find yourself laughing when she won't take crap from anyone. Oh Shay how I wish I could meet you.

The guys...

Aiden- This guy cracked me up a lot. I was sitting in the doctors office this morning reading this book and literally laughed out loud. Not something people expect when going through chemo treatments. I loved the well written sarcasm and humor.

Gabe- Ehhhh... Yes my whole thought sorry.

Eli- I WANT MORE!!!

This book ends in a Cliffhanger and you should know by now that I love those. I like being left to speculate about how it's going to turn out. I like the unknown. I give this book a resounding great review because any book I can read quickly and run that gambit of emotions is amazing. 

4-5+ Stars I can't decide!!!

Perfect Chemistry

Perfect Chemistry

Author: Simone Elkeles

reviewed by: Amanda Peake

I bought this book at a used book store months ago because it had been recommended to me by a friend. I was then asked to write this review for a guest post on someone's blog. LOL! I don't know what's funnier that This book is so full of Cliches or that I liked the Cliches. This book is a story that has been told time and time again. Bad boy from the wrong side of town falls for the rich white girl from the rich side of town. This story is ageless take Romeo and Juliet, Grease, West Side Story, A walk to remember, and many many more for example. So?????

How does Simone Elkeles change it up? Well she has a mexican gang member as the bad boy and the white girl from the rich side of town as the good girl. She also switches POV extrememly well so we get a well rounded view of the story from both Alex and Brittany. Though I will say Brittany gives more depth to things. Let's check out these lovely characters now.

Alejandro, Oh wait we have to call you Alex. He's our “hero” of this story. He's got the reputation of a serial killer and dope head all mixed up. He joined the gang to keep his family safe. Apparently joining gangs means you family won't be harmed (UM. NO) She throws in a good bit of Latin Culture too. Which most of realistic. Anyway he makes a bet with a friend he could sleep with Brittany (Beauty of School) before Thanksgiving. What he didn't expect were FEELINGS. After all kinds of flirting, fights, and gang activity he tells her the truth. He doesn't want his life for her so he pushes her away..... UNTIL.....

Brittany is Ms. Perfect she has the best clothes, shoes, car and everything else too. At least that's what it seems to the outside world. In reality this chick has it bad her sister has celbral Palsy and requires constant help. Brittany loves her sister very much and literally spends most of her days dealing with her sisters needs. Her mom comes across as BI-Polar because one minute she loves Brittany the next she hates her. She has “Moods” to say the least. Brittany's father is a bussiness man who uses his family and home like a hotel. He's never engaged in anything within the house. Brittany's parents are so worried about apperances that they can't see past their own outside. So Ms. Perfect starts off with the “perfect” boyfriend AKA the douche who is only intersted in sex and cheated on her all summer. Her life is far from what it seems.

I love this quote- “We are actors in our lives, pretending to be who we want people to think we are”

These two are a great story in and of themselves but I can't leave without mentioning my favorite castmates.

Paco- He is Alex's best friend when you first meet he's all ganged out with the best of them. As the story progresses you realize Paco's life SUCKS. His dad beats him all the time and he joined the gang for protection. Alex is like a brother to him not just a best friend. He makes the ultimate sacrifice to help his friend.

Mrs. P. The Chemistry teacher. Since these two met in Chem class you can bet she was tough as nails but actually cared about Alex. She really wanted him to suceed in school and life. She was a hard butt too though. I loved that she made a difference as an adult to Alex. In the Epilogue I love her words. GO READ THE BOOK ALREADY.

So while this story has been told fifty million ways it is still a classic and one worth reading. I'm giving this book a 3 star review because I think that Alex's character was dumbed down. I didn't like how much it kept repeating itself. I also think that having someone so loyal to their families some of the hardships wouldn't have happened. While it's only 3 stars if you like this classic story it's well worth the read. 

              3 Stars

Five Summers by Una LaMarche

    Written by: Una LaMarche

 reviewed by:Amanda Peake

I had high hopes for this book. I received it as an ARC and have been reading it SLOWLY for a while now. This book is an attempt to take four “best” friends back to the camp where they all met and became the inseparable J.E.M.S every summer. The book floats back and forth in time and changes POV from 1^st to 3^rd person. All of this makes this cute book frustrating to read. The storyline itself isn't a bad idea. However as a reader knowing how the book going to turn out by the end of chapter two doesn't leave a lot of desire to read it. I would also go on to say this story idea is so good it's been done before and really well too, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Ms. LaMarche changes the pants into this artistic journal that they all write rules to being best friends called “The Pact”. Despite all of that she did make me nostalgic for summer camp days gone by, So much so that I went and looked up a couple of my summer friends. Speaking of friends the girls in this book each have secrets and struggles so lets get to them.


Jo- The J in J.E.M.S comes from a broken home and spends all year with her mom but, the summers are for Camp. Her Dad (Mack) is the owner and Leader of the camp. Jo herself is basically his second in command and gets called Mini-Mack which is something she hates. She comes across as having no sense of humor and never breaking the rules. However as the story progresses she starts changing, She starts liking a guy who's been in love with her for years, breaking a few rules, and deciding she wants more than just camp for the rest of her life. She changed in the best ways and by the end seemed to really have it together.


Emma- The E in J.E.M.S is who our story starts with. She's an Ivy-League College Bound girl who has had to fight tooth and nail to get the grades and recommendations to get into her choice schools. As a young camper she had a crush on Adam another camper who was known as a flirt. Her last year of camp he tried to kiss her and she turned her head. The reason was because she didn't want her friendship with him to change. (seems really unrealistic since she was twelve and liked him for four years.) Now as a senior in High School she comes back to camp to reconnect with her friends and re-do that last night with Adam. Things have changed and secrets kept which leads this innocent crush into a drama filled reunion weekend.


Maddie- The M in J.E.M.S. She is the sweetest liar you'll ever meet. She comes from a broken family too. Her mom and step dad are constantly fighting and at nine she wanted to find her biological father to escape her home. After writing a letter to Mack, Maddie finds herself in an escape called CAMP. She reinvents her life and before long it's to late to tell the truth. Now back at the reunion she wants to set the record straight but is it to late?


Skylar- You guessed it the S in J.E.M.S. This chick is just trying to hard in all aspects of her life. She's starved for attention and love. She's heartbroken and reacting horribly. She betraying her best friends and gets swept away as the girl who “gets around” at camp. This isn't who she really is inside she has an artistic soul and is really hurting and confused. She changes through the book and by the end I don't hate her. I will say I wouldn't be able to do what Emma has...


I'm not going to go into the guys because while Adam stirs up the drama and almost kills a friendship he was just boring to me. His best friend Nate is far more interesting and talked about far less.



This book over all was a good attempt at showing how friendships you make when your young will either thrive while you change and they do too or they will fail. It's a good reminder that sometimes your best friends are the ones that are right in front of you. That being said this book could have been a cute tween novel and hit it's mark well. As a late teen book with the running theme of sex I think it's a miss. I am going to give this book two stars. 

                2 Stars