Reading Challenge 2016 #3

March had a great challenge, in my opinion. The goal was to read a novel with a color in the title. Again, Goodreads had a list already prepared for me to choose from. I was pleasantly surprised to see that A Clockwork Orange was very high on the list and already on my to-read list.

I was nervous starting it because of the slang and almost listened to it on audio instead. But after the first chapter, it became very easy to read. My friend had an easier time reading his book. He finished it way before I finished mine. His choice was actually a double entry, with Laura Lippman being a Maryland author (January's challenge). He had never completely finished Americanah so he had a debt to settle.

BLUE

At first it was interesting to see Baltimore through the eyes of someone whose relationship to the city is different than mine. Evidently the grit, grime and violence are not seen any differently by those who live in the other shade of Baltimore, points for keeping it authentic and not nostalgic. Laura Lippman earns few more points for weaving an interesting story together using a thread of a sport rarely encountered by the broader society. 

The wrap up at the end is where I was lost. The red herrings were cleaver. The balance between investigation and luck was believable. In the end the neat bow with which the story was wrapped up was too tidy, to circumstantial to avoid a fairy tale “happily ever after”-esque , saccharine after taste.




ORANGE

I have read the always missing 21st chapter. And I am glad to say, it doesn't change my opinion of the movie. I'm glad we got the bleak and depressing ending. But I will say that I loved the real ending for Alex's story. It almost made me uncomfortable, feeling empathy for such a fucked up delinquent. It raises the question, "Does everyone deserve a second chance?" I would have liked to say no but Burgess expertly described Alex in a way that makes you feel for him. Not during his ultra-violence moments, obviously. It came across as a lost child who didn't really know what he wanted out of life. And that is something I can relate to.

Review for Best Women's Erotica of the year: Volume 1 by Rachel Kramer Bussel

a free copy of the book was given to me by Rachel Kramer Bussel for an honest review

Can I just say wow! This collection of erotic fiction featured the much needed diversity that Dirty Dates was missing. I can't tell you how happy it made me to see a sexy viable man described with dark skin. It literally made me squeal with joy. But the assortment of love interests were not the only reason I loved this volume. The writing was really really good. I found myself wishing that more than half of these stories were full length novels. Everything was unique and intriguing and sexy and awesome. The stories that really struck a cord with me were:

Demimonde by Valerie Alexander
Ophelia the Second by Jade A. Waters
Flying Solo by Rachel Kramer Bussel
Starstruck by Lazuli Jones
Matilda's Secret by L. Marie Adeline
Alvin's Night by Elizabeth Coldwell
Enter Me by Tabitha Rayne
The Wolf at His Door by Deborah Castellano
The Carnalarium by Rose Caraway
Two Doms for Dinner by Dorothy Freed
The Assistant by Tiffany Reisz

I have such high hopes that the second volume will be even better than this one. I have complete faith that Bussel will deliver no less. 

Midnight Secretary

This manga series was one that I had first read back in high school. I would lurk on Manga Reader and search for erotic stories to pollute my young impressionable mind. Lo and behold, this one caught my interest. It's a great series with a dash of sex scenes that will entertain any paranormal romance reader. It seemed so much racier to me back then but it's barely pushing a mature rating. Still such an amazing fun story.

I remember first reading this series back in high school. I found it on one of those manga websites and devoured the whole story. It was back when everything I read was sexual in some way, shape, or form. So far, this book is holding up to my memories. I found them on a shelf at my local library and couldn't resist checking them out. I can't really recall what happens but if I'm excited to find out...again.






Kaya and Kyohei finally do it. They get down and dirty because apparently that makes the blood taste better during a feeding. I call bullshit but the love scene was very sweet. The author can really draw. I'm off to read the next volume which will probably have some flimsy conflict that drives them apart again. Honestly, I just wanna see more sex scenes. I'm in a smut kind of mood.







This one gets 5 stars because of the bonus story. It was so cute and a bit funny. Seeing how people react to Kaya's baby face is amusing. And I totally called some tomfoolery keeping them apart. But now Kyohei is back and he's being as open as he can be with Kaya. I'm guessing no love proclamations will be said to each other until the last or second to last book. These manga characters are so hard headed.






Who is this bitch Marika?! I vaguely remember her from when I first read this series. But she is seriously getting on my damn nerves. Stop putting yourself between my lovebirds. They already got enough crap keeping them apart, I don't need a side chick added to the equation.








This is just the best. Kaya's mumble proclamation of "I love you" to Kyohei was so damn cute. Now that they've said it to each other's faces, I don't want no more nonsense to keep them apart. There are only two books left in the series so I just want happy chapters from here on out. I doubt I'll get that though.








This volumes gets all the stars. Again, the bonus story outshone the actual volume. Princess the cat is fucking awesome! She should have her own spin off series. I would definitely read it. And It would need it because this story is almost over. I'm a bit sad to finish the last volume. I wish this had 20-30 books but Ohmi knows when to wrap it up.






The finale left me feeling bereft of satisfaction. You don't see anything past the wedding. This series could have been stretched out to about 20 volumes without any filler story lines and been fine. But no, Ohmi has to leave me with Kaya pregnant and the clan still threatening her and Kyohei. I definitely have a feeling they can get through anything but I wish I could read it for myself.

Reading Challenge 2016 #2

February's challenge was to read a book that was published the same year you were born. Goodreads came right to the rescue with their lists. All I had to do was Google books published in 1992 and viola, a list was provided for me to choose from. And wouldn't you know, Along Came a Spider was on the top. I have had this book on my to read list for years now and now had a valid excuse to read it.

My friend struggled with finding a book to read to complete last month's challenge. So I suggested reading a children's book. To me, a book is a book is a book. I don't care of it's written for a 4 year old or a 24 year old. As long as you read a book that suites the challenge, I say you're golden. So he picked a classic, Strega Nona.

1992

I really thought I wasn't going to be able to finish this book in a day, but I was determined and now I have accomplished my goal. And what a freaking roller coaster ride it was. I found myself completely bored in the beginning. It was too dark of a start to the series and the tone was overly abrupt. The short chapters were not appealing and I had zero interest in the crimes being committed. But then Patterson hooked me. I can't really tell you exactly when or how he snared me, only that he did. I was skimming heavily to finish this novel for a challenge. I was no longer reading for pleasure but for a deadline. That changed about a third of the way in. I was now speed reading because I couldn't get enough words into my brain. I was genuinely taken by surprise by the twists and turns. The reveals of this sick twisted plot were done brilliantly. The only issue I now have with this book is will I continue with the series. I have high hopes that I'll like it but the slow start has me hesitant to read more. I'll add it to my read list but I am in no hurry to actually do so.


                                                                                                                                            1975

I find few things more pleasurable than sharing a reading experience with my daughters. Strega Nona afforded me that pleasure. Seeing my oldest daughters eyes light up when I presented the book to my youngest was beautiful. Then reading with my 8 year old to my 13 year old who was wrapped with pleasant memories of the story is a memory that I will cherish.  

NetGalley Fail Part Deux: Review for We are the Goldens by Dana Reinhardt

...so about that last post where I said I was done with NetGalley. I found another book on my Kindle that I had never got around to reading from them. I know, I know. I am just the most scatterbrained blogger ever. But here goes, for reals this time. I bid you farewell, NetGalley. I swear I have finally read and reviewed any and all book I was approved for.

a copy of the book was provided through NetGalley for an honest review
I really wanna give this book four stars but the slow start and second person POV won't let me. It really took me out of the story to keep reading "you" on the page. It was a bit annoying. And the beginning was draaaaging. For such a short novel, it look its sweet time grabbing my attention. But once it did, I was captivated. Nell definitely has a voice for a young adult audience. I could completely relate to her, even though I am a only child. Her relationship with her sister was bittersweet and that ending left me hanging. I desperately want to read about the fall out of Nell's confession and her blossoming relationship with Felix.