Fall with Me by J. Lynn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a completely different story than the others. It was a little creepy, and sent chills up my body at some points. Besides that it was a cute story. 

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389 Pages

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Do you like The Alchemist
I do not like it, and I’m pissed.
I do not like The Alchemist

Would you like it here or there?
I would not like it here or there.
I would not like it anywhere.
I do not like The Alchemist

Would you? Could you? In a car?
Read it. Read it. Where you are.
I would not, could not, in a car.

You may like it. You will see.
You may like it in a tree.
I would not, could not in a tree
Not in a car! You let me be!

I do not like it in a box.
I do not like it with a fox.
I do not like it in a house.
I do not like it with a mouse.
I do not like it here or there.
I do not like it anywhere.
I do not like The Alchemist
I do not like it, and I’m pissed.

The majority of this review text is courtesy of Dr. Seuss, who knows how to capture a reader’s attention, unlike Coelho, who did his best to put me asleep in the shortest amount of time possible. I may have found my cure for insomnia. At least when Seuss states and restates the obvious, it’s catchy and engaging.

If you need to be told what to think or how to think in the most flowery, trite, and clichéd ways, this book is absolutely for you. Perhaps something was lost in translation, like the plot and character development. But hey, if you need something to cling to, there’s still plenty of unnatural dialogue and the words “The Alchemist” are said 3,000 times in less than 200 pages, so there’s that.

I do not like The Alchemist
I do not like it, and I’m pissed.

Book 128 read in 2018

Pages: 197

The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had a pretty idea what had happened and what was going to happen. However, it was still a great story and learning what all happened was interesting. I felt awful for Riley her whole world kept falling all around her. 

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352 Pages

Lifeblood by Gena Showalter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#BecRereads2018

Upon listening to this again, I’ve realized I’m not really all that interested in the star-crossed lovers theme of this one, but it doesn’t matter, as the concept of an epic battle between opposing afterworlds is so unbelievably fascinating to me.

There’s a lot of action going on that isn’t tied to the romance, and I enjoy how all the side characters are unique and stand out.

Book 126 read in 2018

Pages: 443

PREVIOUS REVIEW:

We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the best discussion of gender that I have read in quite some time, and it gets to the heart of what feminism really should be (outside of all the negative stereotypes that are part of the gender divide). It also has quite a bit to say about the harm that culture can do to men, as well.

Some of my favorite quotes: (to avoid spoilers, don't read onward)

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

IDK, people. Somehow, I missed the first boat on this one, which launched 21 years ago. But I guess some days you just wake up and think, today’s the day I finally want to read Memoirs of a Geisha.

And then you read it and love it and wonder what in the world was wrong with you on all those other days. Or, at least, that was me, anyway, and if you haven’t read it yet, then I suspect it is also you.

This is an engaging historical fiction novel full of culture and rich setting, with a main character who captured my full attention right from the start. I know some people didn’t enjoy this novel for various reasons that seem to be mostly related to a Western viewpoint on an Eastern culture, blah, blah, blah, etc.

Whatever. It’s fiction. The language is lovely, and the narrative is arresting. I’m happy I read it. It’s an absolute delight.

Book 125 read in 2018

Pages: 503

A Beautiful Funeral by Jamie McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a great ending to the series, but very sad. (which you can guess from the title I am sure) It was awesome to see how all the couples where doing after years of marriage. Having all of them putting their points of view in was also very nice. 

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238 Pages

Stay with Me by J. Lynn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Calli, was one of my favorite people so far in the series. My favorite part is at the end.. I could just see her friends reaction in the hotel... This was so funny and super cute! She is such a strong person, no way would I handle what she did as well as she did. 

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448 Pages

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well, this is definitely not the book to reread when you have insomnia, as it only will add to your problem. Despite knowing exactly how this story would pan out, I still couldn't put it down. I read it straight through, and I ended up only getting 2 hours of sleep before work, as a result.

I do not regret that one bit. This is a book I would willingly lose sleep over, apparently repeatedly.

Book 122 read in 2018

Pages: 337

PREVIOUS REVIEW:

Alex + Ada, Vol. 3 by Jonathan Luna

Alex + Ada, Vol. 3 by Jonathan Luna
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This final novel wasn't my favorite. I think I hoped for something more from the conclusion. How it went down made me mad, and it ended up being pretty anti-climatic. Still, I don't regret having read it, but the first book remains my favorite.

Book 131 read in 2018

Pages: 136

Alex + Ada, Vol. 3 by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn

Alex + Ada, Vol. 3 by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn

Alex and Ada continue to struggle with the world's increasing fear of sentient androids and their allies. Ada must find a balance between freedom and safety, while Alex has to juggle his family, friends, and their knowledge of Ada. With their life together at stake, are they both willing to do what it takes to protect each other?

Book 3 in the Alex + Ada series. 136 pages.

Firstlife by Gena Showalter

Firstlife by Gena Showalter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#BecRereads2018

I really enjoyed revisiting this YA Paranormal novel. It has such a unique concept, and the world building is fantastic. I am endlessly fascinated by this battle between the afterlives.

I can't wait to see how this trilogy wraps up, so I'm just revisiting the first two novels before reading the newly released book 3, which was definitely a good choice, since these novels are addictive and there's a lot to keep track of.

Book 121 read in 2018

Pages: 467

PREVIOUS REVIEW:

Be with Me by J. Lynn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my, I loved this book! I can't even imagine dealing with what Teresa had too. I enjoyed getting to hear more about how Cam and Avery are doing. 

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365 Pages

Jane, the Fox, and Me by Fanny Britt

Jane, the Fox, and Me by Fanny Britt
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Yeah, nope. This was not for me, but clearly I'm in the minority.

You'd think I could relate to a bookish girl who reads Jane Eyre, likes sweets, gets picked on for being fat by her classmates, and identifies as an outcast. Something about that seems like it would be in my wheelhouse, but it definitely is not.

The story is tedious and absolutely predictable. It's the same story I've heard a million times with nothing new or different to offer. The artwork is so blah and then completely gimmicky. This is quite possibly the shortest graphic novel ever, and yet I was so glad when it ended.

Clearly, I'm the odd one out, as somehow, everyone else gave this book an almost perfect score, but I just can't with this. Even the side characters couldn't be more bland or forgettable. Just a bunch of stereotypes on paper. And I think the fox showed up at the end, because we were all so bored and something had to finally happen. So here you go. Have a random fox. Then let's add that fox to the title and color him up to maintain the art gimmick.

The best parts were the Jane Eyre summaries, but that's hardly original or unique. Sorry peeps. This is just not for me. At all.

Book 123 read in 2018

Pages: 101



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Book Nerd Problems

I've gone rogue on the blog, people.  

Happy Friday! 


I'm just going to put this here. You guys should hang onto it in case Nicole and I need it in the near future. It seems like the more books we read, the more we want to read. 

We've considered starting an addiction support group, but I suspect we would only use the time to talk about all the books we want to read.  

Anyway, I have to get back to reading, so I'll just leave you with this thought for the weekend: 

Alex + Ada, Vol. 2

 Alex and Ada, Vol. 2

by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn

Pages: 

Rating: 3 out of 5

The story picks up with Alex and Ada trying to figure out their new relationship now that she's sentient. But tensions are rising and the government decides to crack down on humans with sentient robots. Now can Ada pull off that she is still an android when she needs too. Her life and Alex's may depend on it.

Beautiful Burn by Jamie McGuire

Beautiful Burn by Jamie McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Somehow, this is the only Maddox Brothers book that I hadn't read and reviewed on Goodreads, even though I own the ebook and audiobook, so when Nicole got to this book in the series, I read along as a buddy read. We tackled it in one lazy Sunday afternoon, and it was a captivating story with a really rough around the edges MC who had a lot of issues to resolve with herself and her life.

There's a great theme of brotherhood among the firefighters (think forest not city), and learning more about that world of fighting major wildfires was also fascinating.

This was another great read by Jamie McGuire. Gotta love those Maddox brothers.

Book 119 read in 2018

Pages: 251

Beautiful Sacrifice by Jamie McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was just another great story about one of the brothers, this one however already gave a teaser of something that would happen from the book before. So I was just wanting because I know that something was going to happen between them. 

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284 Pages



Beautiful Burn by Jamie McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was the about the other twin, and I enjoyed the cross over between the two of them. I am sure that with twins stuff happens all the time where you mistaken one for the other. Also Elle is the craziest one of them all!! She fits right in with the brothers though. 

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251 Pages

Alex + Ada, Vol. 3 by Jonathan Luna
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I just didn't enjoy this book near as much as the others. It had a pretty good ending, but just not what I was expecting. The first book was the best by far. 

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136 Pages

Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu

Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a solid, enjoyable read that ended up being very different from what I expected, but it still held my attention well. It was appropriately broody for a pre-batman story, though young Bruce Wayne himself wasn't too broody or angsty, at least, not for a teenager. It's more like the whole overall story has that dark cloud hanging over it, and the antagonist is delightfully hostile.

It's definitely a bit more psychological thriller than action story, though there are still action scenes. We also got to experience some high-tech gadgets, as is necessary for any Batman story.

Book 116 read in 2018

Pages: 272

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is an okay middle grade read about another socially awkward child. I think stories like that used to be pretty rare, but not so much anymore, which means in light of other options, this one just isn’t my favorite. Still, it’s a decent story that will appeal to some kiddos.

There’s something about the storytelling that is a bit stilted and does too much telling and too much “making of points” to really connect with me. I prefer a story that can make good points without spelling them out in such an obvious way. I know that approach is more common in MG literature, but I still think kids are super smart. You don’t have to always state the obvious. If you write a good story, they will get it, and more writers should trust their young readers to find the takeaways on their own, without harping on them so much.

Also, some aspects of the storyline are left hanging and not resolved, or even addressed, at the end of the story, which is highly unsatisfying.

Book 113 read in 2018

Pages: 199

Alex + Ada, Vol. 2 by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn

Alex + Ada, Vol. 2 by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn

Upset that his X5 couldn't think and feel for herself, Alex took the huge risk of unlocking her. So far, making her sentient seems to have paid off. Alex continues to become happier as he and Ada grow closer. But as tensions between the android and human communities rise and restrictions are placed on androids, Ada becomes unsure about her place in Alex's life and the world.

Book 2 in the Alex + Ada series. 128 pages.