It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han review

It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book people...this book is how you do love triangles.

I mean it's been awhile since I read the first book. Like two years or something but when I started reading this the day before I feel right back in. The characters are really great and real and I feel like Belly is a great character individually but her interactions with Conrad and Jeremiah and even her mother. They just seem...authentic I guess? Like how I would react if I were in her place.

I definitely want to read more of Ms. Han's stuff. I might just read the last of this trilogy next and that is rare indeed.



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I really loved this book you guys. I haven't read YA in a long while with one exception. I guess I got tired of the cliches prominent in the genre (Mostly related to the fantasy side I admit.) But I'm glad I returned. I really enjoyed this book and I'm glad I decided to pick it up. Four for you Ms. Han.

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Girl in Need of a Tourniquet by Merri Lisa Johnson Review

Girl in Need of a Tourniquet: Memoir of a Borderline Personality by Merri Lisa Johnson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I've been looking for memoirs and biographies that focus on borderline for awhile. I finally decided to buy one and this was it.

And I'm glad I bought it. I received this book today and I have just finished reading it. I actually sat down and read the whole thing with a brief break to tell my mother "This book is it. This book is everything."

I liked the way it was structured with anecdotes and brief excerpts from psych literature and sometimes normal literature. I immediately connected to the author when she opened comparing herself to Lisa Lopes from TLC. I liked that this book didn't seem stuffy. It was raw and real. The emotions she felt I feel too.

Like for example she writes about when she was diagnosed she googled it and she wrote "I'm going to be the best borderline." I mean...that is me to a T.

And she wrote about using her intelligence as a shield...again me to a T.

This was a beautiful book and I heartily recommend it.



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Married by Morning by Lisa Kleypas Review

Married By Morning by Lisa Kleypas

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


So although a fair bit, it isn't usual that I spend a chunk of time reading a book unless I really like the book. I really enjoyed this book.

Leo and Cat or Marks as he calls her chemistry is simply out of this world. I have to admit I had a think for the will they or won't they-bickering type of relationship. I have a bit of experience with those myself haha.

I could completely understand Cat's hesitation to accept someone into her life. She has a dark past and I think Ms. Kleypas handled it well. It didn't seem to rushed.

Leo...he's a good hero. I vastly preferred him as a hero to Harry though I am really fond of Harry's name.

The epilogue? Perfect. I can't wait to read Bea's story though I'm sad I won't have any more adventures with the Hathaways. I've become quite fond of them.



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Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas

Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


So this book started out really interesting. Usually the hero and the heroine get together a little later than Harry and Poppy did but they showed interest within the first chapter.

Harry is...I mean I understand his feeling in this book but I really don't like his methods I mean I don't like the way he essentially ruined all of Poppy's chances. He sent the letter to Michael's father and basically cornered her into marriage by kissing her outside on the balcony and having everyone see them. I am glad with the way Poppy and her family reacted but lbr a marriage made under false pretenses is doomed to fail and I'm sure if the book wasn't a romance it would have fell apart in another genre. So while I enjoyed this book I can't really get behind their relationship because of how it started.

The epilogue though? I am so looking forward to it and I'm debating whether to start the next book now or wait. I don't know yet.



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I really enjoyed this book. But I couldn't really enjoyed because of how their relationship started. It's just too much for me and if I were in Poppy's shoes I think I would be really resentful. So yeah this is a good book but I think a tad bit unrealistic. But still a nice book.

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Small Book Haul

I ordered a few books this month and the first of them have arrived!

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Duke of Midnight by Elizabeth Hoyt Review

Everytime I see the title I say it in a dramatic voice. Like imagine the narrator of the primetime soap opera or something. Put the emphasis on Duke.

Anyway yes I have finished it! I really, really liked it. I didn't love it but I really enjoyed this book you guys. It isn't my favorite of Hoyt's work but I think it's a good entry on her bibliography. Anyway enough of that and on to the review.

Duke of Midnight by Elizabeth Hoyt

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Haha once again the subplot of the previous book gives a clue to who the hero and heroine will be in the next book. I CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS!

Finished on Oct. 25, 2013

Okay! So I was really excited about this book. I read the previous book about a week or so ago into preparation for this one. Honestly I wasn't expecting to actually be able to read it until around the end of the moment. But I won it!

This book...I really enjoyed it. Of course when I read the blurb I immediately thought...it's the goddamn Batman!

Maximus does seem to have a lot in common with the Bat guy. He fights crime by night and by day he's a powerful duke...okay not completely but you get the general idea.

Artemis...I really liked her. She's...I'm trying to find the right words to describe her. She's first shown as unobtrusive. You aren't likely to notice her but I like that she is confident in herself. I mean being in her position I don't think I would be as confident and self assured as I read her to be. She's sure about her brother. She decides what she wants even though she knows it can only hurt her. I really liked her.

The mystery? Well I thought that the murderer was going to be someone else but it turned to be someone completely different. I guess it kinda came out of left field. I mean I feel like it would have been a complete twist if it was someone else. Lol I mean I just thought it was the assuming person at first but it wasn't which is a tad bit sad. That would have been awesome.

So how do I rate this? I really enjoyed the book but it's not in the LOVE it category either. But I did stay up to finish it which hasn't happened in a long, long time. So I think I can safely rate it 4 stars. Very intriguing but doesn't quite has that bang.




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I Feel Like Doing the ChaCha

I won a book! A book I have been dying to read and well..watch the video. See my excitement in motion!

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Lord of Darkness by Elizabeth Hoyt Review

Hello my lovelies I return. I have been reading frequently but like my attention span it jumps around. I finally finished one though. It was a good one.

Lord of Darkness by Elizabeth Hoyt

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


So I confess that I picked up this book because the latest one is coming out. It's not like I wasn't intending on reading it eventually, but I got excited that another was about to be released so I jumped on this one.

Megs situation intrigued me. It could have been done very badly but I think Ms. Hoyt made it work. I wasn't completely sure about Godric. To be honest as a hero he doesn't quite make my heart flutter but he was adequate.

This installment was okay. I really didn't love as much as I did the others. I guess it's because while I enjoyed it, it really didn't have that BANG. It was good, enjoyable, but I didn't completely love it.

But I am really interested to see what Ms. Hoyt does with the upcoming book. The characters of that one were introduced in the subplot of this one. I'm really looked forward to it.

So three stars for Lord of Darkness. Enjoyable but didn't quite have that bang.



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Rage is an Art

So a few nights ago I made a rant post on my personal DW. This particular rant had been stewing in my mind for awhile. Probably since I've become aware of literary criticism and since I've been actively searching for it. The rant btw can be found here.

Anyone that regularly reads the romance genres knows that the books and sometimes its fans get a lot of grief. I've found that the academic attention to the romance genre is really low. For example on the course list for English classes at my local university there are classes based on the fantasy and science fiction genre but not one for romance. Why is that?

So I've gotten the grand idea to write some criticism for the romance genre. I'm doing this for many reasons but one is to help practice writing college essays as I plan on going back to school and I've been out of high school for years.

I wanted to tell my readers about this. I'm planning on posting the essay when I finish with it. I have two books that I plan on using and I'm looking for references. I don't know when I'll finish but it will get done.

Oh and right now I'm currently reading one of the books I plan on analyzing and I'm taking notes from it. The books is How to Entice an Earl by Manda Collins. I am really enjoying this book.

Until to the next review. Perhaps I'll try to go more in depth with my reviews as well haha!

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Book Post (Plus Pics!)

I've finally discovered that marvelous thing called the used book. I won't lie I do prefer to buy new books but I also like to buy a lot of books at one time and my budget just won't allow me to do that with all new books.

So I bought a ton of used books from Abebooks which by the way is a fabulous site. I got four of them today!



I recently did the big chop. One of my friends on LJ recommended me Better Than Good Hair by Nikki Walton.



If y'all didn't know I'm a feminist and I take that ish seriously. I ordered a number of books on the topic. This one is called Unequal Sisters: A Multicultural Reader in U.S. Women's History



I have a writing project that focuses on Cleopatra so I bought Stacy Schiff's biography. That and I really love Cleo.



And lastly for today is Material Girls by Suzanne Danuta Walters. It's feminist cultural theory!

What about you guys? Any new book purchases?

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The Ivy Lessons by S.K. Quinn Review

The Ivy Lessons by J. Lerman

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Okay so I started reading this yesterday. I picked it up because I needed something to take my mind off my appointment and how nervous I was. It certainly did.

I immediately noticed that not only does this book seem to be a rip off two books (Twilight and Fifty Shades which of course was a fanfiction of the former.) It also seemed a bit cliche. I mean Sophia is innocent and she seems like Bella in that she gives backhanded compliments especially in the first few chapters of the book. I mean she describes her friend as blonde and chubby and then says she wishes she looked more like her. Sophia describes herself as tall and willowy. I laughed out loud.

The Ryan and Cecile characters are so damn one dimensional. I found myself thinking about Cecile. What made her tick? Why was she after Marc? Why was she so mean other than to give Sophia a rival?

Ryan? Piece of shit. You don't fucking drug someone that you like. Like what the fuck? He should have been fucking arrested. Oh and if I'm not clear, you don't drug anyone. Period people.

The rest of the book followed the structure of Twilight. I mean Marc is even described in Edward terms. Pale skin. Dark circles under his eyes. LMAO. And then early in the book he leaves after encountering Sophia. So Twilight.

The sex was...really kinda vanilla. I've read harder sex in some of my single title romances. I mean despite the BSDM elements, it still seemed very vanilla.

But I will give it to the author that this book entertained me. I made me much calmer before going in to see the doctor. It wasn't badly written though I did catch a mistake. And it is cliche. But it was a light read and like I said I enjoyed it. So I actually think I might buy the next book. I want to find out what happens, I can't help it.

So I rec this if you need something quick and light to read.



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Currently Reading

Hey guys! I'm still reading over on my end and of course buying more books haha. I actually bought a few more books than I usually do at the local Walmart. But it's been a whole year since I've been to Barnes and Noble and I let my membership expire...oops.

But anyway I'm currently alternating between these two books. I started Home Girls yesterday. One essay in particular really spoke to me and how I feel as a black woman in America. The author says that she has no connection to her African roots because her ancestors weren't allowed to keep their old rituals. I've been feeling like this a lot. I would love to know what country my ancestors were from and what were their customs. Maybe one day when I have better finances I can find this out with that DNA testing ha.

The second book I bought yesterday. I've just decided to study more seriously for the GED test and I want to attend college. I want to make a better life for myself, you know? I bought this book because of the summary and plus I'll admit I sort of have a thing for self-help books haha. I can't help it alright!

So anyway that's what I'm currently reading. What about you guys? Anything interesting? Let's talk about it!

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Tart by Lauren Dane Review

Tart by Lauren Dane

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Okay so officially this was my second erotica and it was MILES better than my first. The plot is really good and I really felt like the relationships between not only the three in the relationship but with family and friends were very realistic. Their friends are awesome.

I could relate to Juliet a lot with her thoughts with certain situations. I know I would probably be thinking the same thing if I was in the situation.

Cal and Gideon were perfect, though I was more partial to Cal.

I love that the author got into the...logistics I guess I should say of a relationship like theirs.

Oh and the sex was hot! Mhmmm.

I only rated this four stars because I liked it, but I didn't love it you know? But I like the author's style and I'm definitely checking out more of her stuff.



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It Happened One Midnight by Julie Anne Long Review and Spoilers

It Happened One Midnight by Julie Anne Long

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book...this book!

This book managed to keep my attention for more than two days. From the start I absolutely loved Jonathan and Tommy. Their personalities shine through from the page. I loved how their relationship developed throughout the book. And I love how they teased each other! I was cackling so hard while reading this book.

I loved the end where Jonathan makes enough money so he be independent and be free to marry Tommy. I love how he lays things out before his Dad. He challenges him because he loves Tommy and he knows that she is what he wants.

I liked the epilogue where Violet and Miles show up. The end left me with a little hope that the family will come back together and patch up things between them. What more can you ask for?

I think I'm going to add this book to my favorites shelf. I loved it that much!



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I absolutely recommend this book. Go read it!

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Kare First Love, Volume 1 by Miyasaka Kaho Review

Kare First Love, Volume 1 by Kaho Miyasaka

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This title was recommended to me by GR.

What I thought at first: Oh she seems like me when I was younger. Afraid to speak up, letting people walk all over her.

What I thought next: Wtf? This Kirya dude is a piece of work. His friends are asses, he kinda is too.

What I thought after that: The non friend girl seems nice. She should be friends with her rather than the girl she's actually friends with.

What I'm thinking now: The premise is interesting and I can definitely see myself reading more of this manga. I don't quite like how the hero and heroine's relationship started though. I don't care how good his intentions are/were...that just creeped me out.

So I give the first volume 4 stars. The story and art are good, but the dynamics of how the relationship is starting? Nah I didn't like that at all.



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99 Problems

I have a tad bit of a problem. I tend to pick up certain books, read them for a certain amount of time and then put them back down.

I say put down because I usually leave them lying in various locations in my bedroom. I admonish my mother: "Don't mess with that. I'm reading it.", to which she responds: "How are you reading it, if you're at the computer?"

These particular books usually don't get finished in a proper amount of time, but continue to lie around until my mother gets frustrated and puts them back on the bookshelf.

On my Goodreads these books have a tendency to languish on my currently reading list. One of them had been there since mid 2010, yet I was sure I was going to finish it. I'm going to finish it right?

I guess you could say I dropped them. Most of them I have the intention of reading at some point, but at the moment they weren't right, you know what I mean?

So today I decided to clean up my currently reading list. I divided them into two categories: Finish at a later date and attempt at a later date.

There are only two on the attempt at a later date. These are ones I have to prepare myself for, set out a certain amount of time and devotion to read. Both of them Russian classics.

The former are ones that I'll most likely pick back up when I get back in the right mood.

So my currently reading list went from a massive 30 down to 11. Sure that's still a lot, but much more manageable right?

Yes I'm a slightly OCD, why do you ask?

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I Keep Falling Behind

I haven't been reading as much. I keep starting books but none have really captured me, you know what I mean? But I just started a biography and I hope I can finish it.

I'll be back soon. No matter how long I stay away from my beloved books, I always return. Always.

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Loving Lady Marcia by Kieran Kramer Mini Review

I know it has been awhile since I updated, but that is because the Sims bug bit me sometime in late January and it is just not easing up. But after false starts with my reading, I finally finished one.

Loving Lady Marcia by Kieran Kramer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


What can I say about this book?

First off, I was really excited to buy it. I'm sure many children of my generation grew up watching the Brady Bunch, but I wasn't sure how this would translate to literature.

I was worried that Marcia would be...how should I say...perfect? I don't know that's just the vibe that I get from her on the show or maybe I've been sipping too much of Jan's juice, whatever.

This Marcia wasn't perfect, but I couldn't really connect to her like I have with other romance heroines. I really liked Duncan and Joe was such a cutie.

But what I really loved about this book was the humor. Ms. Kramer has a good grip on it, I'd say. I know out of the four books I've read from her, I distinctively remember laughing out loud at least once with each of them. I love that.

I would recommend this book, though it shares some things with the TV series, I think it comes into its own.



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Oh and I think a new banner might be in order? Because really this is so a book blog am I right?

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Pride & Passion by Charlotte Featherstone Review

Long time no see huh? I've been a bit distracted this year, but I'm still reading, if not at the same pace as previous years. Below is a book I really enjoyed and that I highly recommend.

Pride & Passion by Charlotte Featherstone

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wow this book. It really lives up to its title.

The things that stood out the most for me in this addition to the series were the emotions. All of the characters emotions seemed so real. Like when Adrian was pining for Lucy, I could really feel that, you know?

And that doesn't even begin to explain the scenes between Lucy and Adrian. Those moments were so intense that I was literally going "Damn" while I was reading it. It has been a long time since I've read a book with such intensity.

And then the reveal near the end? I totally did not expect that. I mean it literally came out of nowhere and I didn't expect it.

So five stars for me. I can't wait to read the next installment.



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The Taming of the Rake by Kasey Michaels Mini Review

I am back fair followers! Over December I didn't read as many books as I did in 2011 because I had access to the internet and thus I didn't pay as much attention to my books. I read 86 regular fiction books in 2012, which was just a bit short of my 2011 goal. This year I've set it to 70, so we'll see how 2013 goes reading wise.

Here's my 2nd book of the year:

The Taming of the Rake by Kasey Michaels

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed this book! I read the third of the series fast, so I was expecting something similar to that. But this one stood out on its own.

I loved the characters especially Puck! Oh my god Puck made me gut laugh so many freaking times like really. And then when Jack does appear, he's as brooding as he is in own book and let me tell you, I quite enjoy a brooding hero, thank you for that Charlotte Bronte.

The end was perfect I think and although Claudia's brother and sister were on the opposing side, I really liked reading about them and I'm glad that Francis came to his senses.

I can't wait to read Puck's story!



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