Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

 

 

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

(Harry Potter #1)

J.K. Rowling

Completed Date: 8/2/15

Rating out of 5: 4

 

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Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**

Who doesn't love Harry Potter? Though, this is my least favorite of the series. That I remember. It has been quite some time since I've read them.

I have fond memories of these books. My family didn't "discover" them until, I believe, book 4. After that we attended all of the midnight releases for the rest of the series at a local book store. I was sad to see it go. The series ... and the book store.

I enjoyed this book more this time around than I remember previously. I love Dobby, dislike Gini and feel a rather remarkable resemblance between myself and Hermione. If you're going to do something, gather information and then do it right.

My boyfriend and I have two sets of this series in Hardback and we borrow the e-books from Kindle Unlimited.

Love, love, love this world & will soon be on my way to reading #3.

Landline

 

 

Landline

Rainbow Rowell

Completed Date: 8/10/15

Rating out of 5: 4

 

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Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**

I love EVERYTHING about Rainbow Rowell's books. This was my least favorite so far, but I rank it only slightly below the others.

This story made me wonder - if I did have a magical landline phone (or e-mail, or cell), would I want to talk to anybody from my past? Is there anything that I would want to change?

I think the answer is no. But I also know that I would have chosen work over my phone.

How nice it would be if life had a hold button so we could figure things out. But, it doesn't work that way. And I think that's partly what I disliked about this story - that it's just not relatable. Yes, I know there's a magic phone. No, the magic phone is not what I'm talking about. I mean that life goes on ... our dream jobs and sometimes our friends don't just sit around and wait for us to figure things out ...

or to take a phone call.

In Search Of Lost Dragons

 

**review coming soon**

 

In Search of Lost Dragons

Eliam Black'Mor

Completed Date: Currently Reading

Rating out of 5: 5

 

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The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy

 

 

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Douglas Adams

Completed Date: 7/29/15

Rating out of 5: 5

 

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Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**

One of the reasons I love this book is because my Dad loves this book. My sister and I grew up watching Doctor Who and Star Trek and reading Hitchhikers.

Reading the book, and even just thinking about it, also reminds me of the BBC take on the movie. I love that movie.

There's not much to say about Hitchhikers. I feel that every nerd has either read it or should read it and that it's an absolute must read, must own, must watch, must listen to & must pass down generation after generation.

Intangible (Piercing the Veil #1)

 

**review coming soon**

 

Intangible

(Piercing The Veil #1)

C.A. Gray

Completed Date: 7/27/15

Rating out of 5: 3

 

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The Indispensable Calvin & Hobbes

 

**review coming soon**

 

The Indispensable Calvin & Hobbes

Bill Watterson

Completed Date: 7/26/15

Rating out of 5: 5

 

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Armada

 

**review coming soon**

 

Armada

Ernest Cline

Completed Date: 47/24/15

Rating out of 5: 3

 

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Attachments

 

**review coming soon**

 

Attachments

Rainbow Rowell

Completed Date: 7/11/15

Rating out of 5: 4

 

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Twilight

 

**review coming soon**

 

Twilight

(Twilight #1)

Stephenie Meyer

Completed Date: 7/9/15

Rating out of 5: 4

 

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Dorothy Must Die

 

**review coming soon**

 

Dorothy Must Die

(Dorothy Must Die #1)  

Danielle Paige

Completed Date: 7/8/15

Rating out of 5: 2

 

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The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride #1)

 

**review coming soon**

 

The Angel Experiment

(Maximum Ride #1)  

James Patterson

Completed Date: 7/2/15

Rating out of 5: 4

 

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Harry Potter and the Sourcerer's Stone

 

 

**review coming soon**

 

Harry Potter and the Sourcerer's Stone

(Harry Potter #1)  

J.K. Rowling

Completed Date: 6/28/15

Rating out of 5: 4

 

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Eleanor & Park

 

**review coming soon**

 

Eleanor & Park

Rainbow Rowell

Completed Date: 6/26/15

Rating out of 5: 4(.5)

 

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The Accidental Alchemist

 

 

**review coming soon**

 

The Accidental Alchemist

GiGi Pandian

Completed Date: 6/23/15

Rating out of 5: 3

 

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Goblins In The Castle

 

 

**review coming soon**

 

Goblins In the Castle

Bruce Coville

Completed Date: 6/21/15

Rating out of 5: 5

 

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The Master Magician (The Paper Magician #3)

 

**review coming soon**

 

The Master Magician  

(The Paper Magician #3)

Completed Date: 6/9/15

Rating out of 5: 4

 

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Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**

Goblin Quest

 

**review coming soon**

 

Goblin Quest  

Goblin Quest

Completed Date: 6/21/15

Rating out of 5: 3

 

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Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**

The Eight - Currently Reading

**review coming soon**

 

 

The Eight 

Katherine Neville

CURRNTLY READING

Rating out of 5: TBD

 

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Love Minus Eighty

 

Love Minus Eighty 

Will McIntosh

Completed Date: 5/15/15

Rating out of 5: 3

 

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Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**

This book is part love story, part futuristic / sci-fi, part video game. It's charming!

Love. It's what makes the world go 'round. And sometimes we find it in places we wouldn't think to look. In this case, Rob finds it a "cryogenic dating farm" when he goes to visit Winter, the girl he accidently ran over and killed. He went looking for forgiveness and finds much more. I find it honorable that he works his fingers, literally, to the bone to save every penny he can to visit her once ever 3 - 4 months for only 5 minutes at a time. That's dedication. I like Veronika and Nate and I like even better that (Spoiler) Veronika does not end up with Nate. I found myself caring about every character in this story and wanted to know more about what happens to them.

This book also brought up some important moral questions. Sorry to be the stick in the mud. But, is it really responsible to preserve people? Not only is it a matter of resources vs population, but how would that impact somebody mentally to possibly wake up hundreds of years later to a different world where everyone you know is (actually) dead?

Even though the book was futuristic, I feel it was also realistic. Being able to pop in on friends and chat with them via floating "Screen" isn't too big of a stretch considering the technology we have at our finger tips already. The realism makes the book more fun and friendly.

Sounds great, right? Why the 3 star rating, you ask? While I found the book charming, interesting and fun, I don't find myself wanting to add it to my shelf to read over and over again. I don't know that I would read a sequel either. I am perfectly content with where the story ended. I enjoyed it and would recommend for anybody who's a fan of love stories, psychology or someone who is looking for something utterly unique.




 

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake

 

 

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake

Aimee Bender

Completed Date: 5/10/15

Rating out of 5: 2

 

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Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**

 

I didn't have to eat the cake, so to speak, to quickly realize this book is not at all what I thought it was going to be. Had the synopsis included that this was a "coming of age" novel of sorts, I wouldn't have picked it up at all to be honest. There's not much in this would I abhor more than a coming of age novel. Quite frankly, the only reason I finished it is because it's this month's choice for my book club. We chose it because it sounded whimsical.
 It's not.

I read through this one quickly. Partly because I kept waiting to be let in on the secret. There's a point, right? There's an AHA momenta bout to happen that makes this all clear? Nope. No AHA. No point. When I finally gave up hope, my speed reading skills kicked in just to finish the awful thing.

Prior to reading this book I read through some of the reviews on Goodreads.com. One described this book as Chinese food. Tastes good, but leaves you hungry again in half an hour. I feel like this book never found it's niche. There's bits of "magic" at the every day dinner table, but the book never decided what it wants to be when it grows up, fantastical or contemporary, which makes it just plain boring by default. And yes, I understand that's the point. Growing up and discovering who we are, and who those around us are, does have some magical qualities, I get it, I promise, but that's an easy enough tale to tell without ... cake?

Two out of 5 starts strictly for originality and writing style. Zero points for story. Zero points for characters. Zero points for ever reading this again or recommending it to anybody. Zero points for even ever trying the author again. I cant wait to discuss this one in book club to see how the other's felt about it.

Dad Is Fat

 

 

Dad Is Fat

Jim Gaffigan

Completed Date: 5/4/15

Rating out of 5: 2

 

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 Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**

I had this audio book on hold at my library for weeks before it became available. The anticipation built as I waited and waited. And then, the day came! I got settled down to listen to the story. The reason I got the audio copy is because I'm a fan of Jim Gaffigan. His standup performances are hilarious and I thought this book would follow suit, especially since he had done the reading himself.

There are lots of things in life that I don't relate to. Being an oil field worker. Being an only child. Growing up rich. Finishing college. Wanting to be an astronaut. Those are all things that I don't understand and yet there's still humor in them. I assume the same can be said for parenting, but there was just no humor in this book that I could hear.

Maybe it's because I'm not a parent, nor do I want to be. This book is all about becoming a parent and the trials and tribulations they go through, the sacrifices, loss of identity and then he tries to make it humorous? No, no. It's terrifying and, sorry parents everywhere!, it's sad. (Just my opinion, don't hate me.) The audio file came in 3 parts. I didn't realize that until I had already celebrated the completion of Part 1, only do discover there was more? So disappointed that I hadn't laughed even once that I didn't finish it.

I originally rated this a 1. Horrible. However, I boosted the rating to a two when I realized that maybe I had the wrong expectations of the book going in. I'm sure it's witty. I'm just the wrong audience.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

 

 

 

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Mark Haddon

Completed Date: 5/3/15

Rating out of 5: 3

 

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Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**

This book as my on my list of "must read this to find out what all of the fuss is about" book for quite some time. I read this book in one sitting. Partly because it's so short, and partly because I was enjoying it and I couldn't really put it down. But then, Misty, why did you only rate it a three?

Asperger's and Autism isn't something to scoff at. It's not "cute" and I don't think any of us understand it if we aren't living it. It's not clarified which, if either, syndrome Christopher has, but did mention both Asperger's and Autism. I think this book was begging for attention by talking about a "controversial" subject. I don't like anything, be it books or people, that begs for attention. 

One of my favorite quotes, not from this book, is "We are all unique. Just not in the ways we think we are." Those little "quirks" we have that we find unique about ourselves or our loved ones are not unique at all, we share that same quirk with millions of people. Sorry, it's true. What I love about this story is that our 15-year-old, self proclaimed Sherlock, Christopher, doesn't care. He doesn't care if he's like you or like me. He just knows that he hates yellow and doesn't understand how the weather can determine a person's mood any more than counting the number of red cars there are on the route to school can. He is just Christopher. And Christopher is determined to discover the details about the death of the neighborhood dog.

I wouldn't really want to read it again, but I'm glad I read it thorough at least once.

Time's Edge (The Chronos Files, #2)

 

Time's Edge

(The Chronos Files #2)  

Rysa Walker

Completed Date: 5/3/15

Rating out of 5: 3

 

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Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**

 I liked the first one so much of this series that I got the second one. Like the first, this had the ability to read and/or listen to the book which I loved. I got this one from Kindle Unlimited and already have my reservation for the third on that releases in October of this year.

So in this one, we get a little move involved in our love triangle. Typical girl met boy, fell in love with boy, meets another boy, falls in love with this boy too. Which boy does she love vs which part of herself does she chose to embrace? Typical stuff.

What's not typical about this story is, as I stated in my review of the first book, that even though this is an easy read, it's still engaging and interesting. I like that the historical parts of the book are easy to follow and don't require a history major to follow along.

I did like the first book more than the second book. I am interested to see where the story goes, but based on some of the events in this book I feel like it could be too far fetched (even for a book about time travel).

 

Timebound (The Chronos Files, #1)

 

  

Timebound

(The Chronos Files #1)  

Rysa Walker

Completed Date: 4/25/15

Rating out of 5: 4

 

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Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**

I really enjoyed this book. I got this one from Kindle Unlimited and it just happened to have the audio version with it. When I didn't have time to sit down and read (while cleaning the house or something) I listened to the audio. AND LOVED IT. I love the option to both read and listen to the book and, if I can help it, I will always have one of these kinds of books at the ready!

I love that the time traveling bits of this weren't hokey. Based on some of the other reviews I had read, I was afraid that it would be. I didn't get the vibe from the synopsis that this was a YA novel and even now having read it, I wouldn't necessarily classify it as such. Yes, there's a girl and two boys (the makings of a typical love triangle) but in this case I didn't feel like the author was trying to convince me to fall in love with anybody. At least not yet - we don't really get to that until the second book.

I like that parts of the book were historical, but not TOO historical. I understood all of the references and it was casual and fun. I've read books that I didn't understand because I didn't understand the history of a particular place or person and those are no fun.

Anyway, I liked this one and read the second one.


 

Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices, #3)

 

**review coming soon**

 

Clockwork Princess

(The Infernal Devices, #3)  

Cassandra Clare

Completed Date: 4/23/15

Rating out of 5: 4

 

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The One and Only Ivan

 

 

The One and Only Ivan 

Katherine Applegate

Completed Date: 4/17/15

Rating out of 5: 5

 

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Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**

Cute, cute, cute.
I borrowed this one in e-book from my local library after waiting on hold for it for weeks. I stayed up far too late trying to finish it, didn't make it, dreamed of elephants and woke up to finish it the next day. I'm afraid I kept my boyfriend awake with my childish giggles.

I loved this book from the first page. It's a little too old yet for my 3 year old and 1 year old nephew, but I want to share this one with them in a few years. I am SOOO happy that things worked out for these animals!

I wish more humans have the same dedication that Ivan does.

Cloaked

 

**review coming soon**

 

Cloaked

Alex Flinn

Completed Date: 4/13/15

Rating out of 5: 3

 

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The Glass Magician (The Paper Magician Trilogy, #2)

 

 

**review coming soon**

 

The Glass Magician

(The Paper Magician Trilogy, #2)

Charlie N. Holmberg

Completed Date: 4/8/15

Rating out of 5: 4

 

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Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2)

 

**review coming soon**

 

Clockwork Prince

(The Infernal Devices #2)

Casandra Clare

Completed Date: 4/5/15

Rating out of 5: 4

 

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The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Virtual Teams

 

**review coming soon**

 

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Virtual Teams

Paul van der Hagen

Completed Date: 4/5/15

Rating out of 5: 2

 

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Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1)

 

**review coming soon**

 

Clockwork Angel

Cassandra Clare

Completed Date: 4/2/15

Rating out of 5: 3

 

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One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories

 

 

One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories

B.J. Novak

Completed Date: 3/23/15

Rating out of 5: 2

 

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Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**

I did not listen to the audio file as the picture I used for my blog would suggest.

I found this book while on an adventure through a local Barnes and Nobel. I picked the book up and almost bought it on the spot, knowing nothing about the book or the author. The little tidbits that I had read were quite charming and funny and I wanted to have this in my collection.

I'm glad that I did not spend any money on this book and borrowed the ebook from my library instead. Though I read the book in one sitting, and did quite enjoy several of the passages, I think the majority of the book was hogwash. It seems as though, I'm not sure if by stroke of good luck or or bad luck, I had read every part that was worth reading while standing in the book store.

The Final Empire (Mistborn #1)

 

 

**review coming soon**

 

The Final Empire

Brandon Sanderson

Completed Date: 3/22/15

Rating out of 5: 4

 

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Watership Down

 

**review coming soon**

 

Watership Down

Richard Adams

Completed Date: 3/28/15

Rating out of 5: 3

 

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Ensnared

 

Ensnared

(Splintered #3)

A.G.Howard

Completed Date: 2/28/2015
Rating out of 5: 4

 

Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis.

What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**

 

Check me out on www.goodreads.com! 

 

I waited and waited and waited for this one to be released! And it was well worth the wait.

To see my reviews of Splintered click here and for Unhinged click here.

 

I adore these books! If you like YA or Fantasy or/and especially Wonderland, you have to read these.

 

Alyssa finally embraces who she is - after much teenage angst and turmoil - and finds a way to save both of the realms (and the boys) that she loves. I wish I could cuddle up with Rabid White and read these! I've said it before in my other reviews, but this story is so colorful! When you're reading it, you're in the landscape dodging graffiti guards and joining the party!

 

If you've read them, who did you choose? Jeb or Morpheus? I know I'm too old be gushing over either, but isn't that part of the fun of a YA novel! I'm team Morpheus, but the friend who I read these books with chose Jeb.

 

Jeb is naturally charming and thoughtful, he's a normal human boy with normal human boy emotions and makes normal human boy mistakes. That, and his talent for art, and that he loves Alyssa's mundane side is what makes him endearing. Morpheus is a victim of circumstance, for lack of a better term. He does what he can with what he has and loves every inch of where he's from and isn't about to apologize for it. I find Morpheus' struggle interesting in that he has to both embrace his madness and the madness or wonderland and yet overcome it to win the heart of the girl.