Recent Reads: Requiem

Let me ask you a question...

When was the last time you read a book that you day dreamed about when you put it down?

When was the last time you read a book that sucked you in more deeply than Real Housewives drama.

While we're talking about it, considering last night's RHOBH season finale, it's a wonder I have ANYTHING else to talk about today....

But that's how good this book is.

Seriously, people.

If you haven't followed my advice, and picked up the Delirium series, stop what you are doing and go get it.

This month, Lauren Oliver finally released the final book in this series.

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And let me just say, this book is amazing.

The story is exciting.

There is romance, there is intensity, there is excitement.

You will fall in love - more than once...

Your heart will be broken - more than once...

The characters are beautiful and endearing and completely well rounded.

And for the most part, there is a reasonably happy acceptable ending for everyone.

In a nutshell, you should read it.

You can thank me later!

Now, please excuse me while I get back to my regularly scheduled programming (read: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion - I should really live tweet this amazingness!)

Recent Reads: Delirium

As we all know, my obsession with good reads is pretty far reaching.

If it gets good reviews, I'm typically in.

So, when I first heard about Delirium, I knew it was a read I wanted in my hands.

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Like yesterday.

On her website, Lauren Oliver has a tag line that says it all:

"Before Scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing."

And if that doesn't pull you in, well, then...

PEOPLE.

READ.THIS.BOOK.

LIKE.NOW.

LIKE.YESTERDAY.

And then read it again.

Because IT IS THAT GOOOOOOD.

Here.  Buy it here for your Kindle. And here for your Nook.

Because, PEOPLE.

I want to talk about this book.

In graphic detail.

I want to talk about Hanna.

I want to talk about Lena.

And I want to talk about Alex.

Oooooooh, Alex....

Ok, so if you know anything about my taste in books, you know how much I LOVE dystopian fictions.

I love the general idea that freedom can overcome oppression.

And this is yet another book where that is the theme.

And it will blow your mind.

The fact that the world could be indoctrinated to believe that love is a disease - nay, THE GREATEST DISEASE - is absurd....  Appalling, even.

And yet, Oliver rationalizes it in these books in a way that makes you second guess yourself.

But at your core, is the knowledge that robbing someone of the  the freedom to love with complete justification is simply...disturbing.

And automatically makes you want to fight for Lena and Hana and any/all future generations.

I automatically felt a kinship with the characters.

Felt drawn to them.

Felt compassion for their plights and sympathetic to their fights.

And the fact that I fell in literary love with Alex "at first sight" is pretty much undeniable.

Have you started reading it yet?

I will warn you, you will have your heart broken.

And then put back together, and then broken - lather, rinse, repeat.

This is another book that is well worth your time.

And, as is the thing these days, it is one of a series of books.

And the second book - Pandemonium is every bit as good.

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I personally liked Pandemonium better than Delirium.

The story is much more intense, even if it is a little harder to follow.

Book 3 is scheduled to hit the shelves sometime this spring. (please, please, please Ms. Oliver, hurry up.  I am chewing my nails off to find out what happens to my favorite characters in book 3...don't make me wait too much longer, please????)

So, yeah, excellent books?

Yep.

Exciting read?

Mmm Hmmm.

Recommended?

Just Slightly.

Now get to reading!!!



Post Script:  If you have read these books and you haven't read the e-books Hana and Annabel, Don't miss them!  Worth every penny!

Recent Reads: The Timber Wolves Series

Start your eye rolling now.

It's completely understandable.

When one of my best friends from college and lifelong reading buddy threw The Timber Wolves Series at me, I most definitely rolled my eyes.

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I mean, I loved Twilight as much as the next person, but haven't we had enough of the werewolves for a while now???

At this point, I view anything vampire or werewolf related as copycats.

Which is why I continue to avoid True Blood, Vampire Diaries and Teenage Werewolf.

If I'm going to watch barely believable accounts of vampire/werewolf  interactions, you can bet your boot straps it's going to be the original barely believable account of vampire/werewolf interactions.

But, being the amazing sport I am, I promised to at least give it a try.

And, OHMYWORDOHMYWORDOHMYWORD.

To say I loved it would be a slight understatement.

To say that I was OBSESSED with it might come close.

Like saying that Michael Jackson had a thing for plastic surgery.

Now.  Lest you make the same assumption I did, this book is nothing like Twilight.

Scout - the main character is strong, decisive, and (mostly) confident.

I won't pretend that this is a series that Little Man will learn about in American Literature, but as for a gripping read about werewolves.  Um.YES.

As for a gripping read in general with a decent storyline?  Yep.

As for a gripping read with a twisted but amazing romantic storyline?  ABSOLUTELY.

Plus.

Tammy Blackwell, the author, has been kind enough to write At First Sight - a companion book that gives you extra insight into the main characters' backgrounds, thoughts, and opinions.

I warn you, though.

You should not, I repeat NOT read At First Sight until after you have finished the original 3 books. (spoilers, spoilers, and more spoilers)

Additional warning, once you've read At First Sight, you will not be satisfied until you have reread all three original books.

But you won't mind.

I promise.

You know, if you are into that sort of thing.

I think we all know that I am...

UPDATE: Miss Tammy read this post and commented!!!  People, I think I just peed my  pants!!!

Recent Reads: Divergent

Remember that time I read round the clock for a week when I discovered The Hunger Games?

It's no secret that I love to read, but since the big move, my reading has been really intermittent and more or less rereading of some old tried and trues.

But over last summer, I got my hands on Divergent by Veronica Roth.

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I don't remember where the recommendation came from, but suffice it to say, it was an EXCELLENT recommendation.

The Good:

The story line is solid and quick moving.

I think I read it in 2 days.

And I'm a slow reader.

Much like Hunger Games, this dystopian novel is packed with action, adventure, self-triumph and yes, romance.

The characters are strong, endearing and completely relatable.

I can assure you that if you were a fan of the Hunger Games, you will have no problem falling in love with this series as well.

The Bad:

There's not much I can find to complain about in this series, other than the fact that I have to wait for book 3 to arrive.

But since I'm just this side of scary-stalker-blogger girl (I am totally winning you over, right? You sooooo wanna be my bff, huh???  #wiiiiiiiink), I (thankfully) did your research for you:  

Should you decide to jump on the Divergent bandwagon with me, you will be relieved to know that, as per Ms. Roth's blog, she has finished writing book 3 and is currently editing the "as-yet-untitled third book".

Which, of course, means something to the effect of, we won't have to be left wondering what happened to all our favorite characters like some still-bitter-fans-of-Heroes are.  

And I'm sure, if it's anything like the first 2 books, it will completely blow our minds.  

In case you can't tell, I give this book 2 thumbs up!