The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

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• Print Length: 771 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0606353143
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (October 22, 2013)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group

Theo Decker leads us through his life in the fictional novel "The Goldfinch" by Donna Tartt. At the age of thirteen Theo, living in present day New York City with his mom, miraculously survives an accident that kills his mother. With no known contact with his dad in over a year, Theo is placed in the care of some close friends. Hanging on to two items that you acquired during the accident; a ring from a dying man and a famous painting "The Goldfinch" that reminds him of his mother. These two items pave the road to his future.

“…awful to learn,  by having it suddenly vanish from under me, that all my adult life I’d be privately sustained by the great, hidden, savage joy: the conviction that my whole life was balanced atop a secret that at any moment blow apart.”

I will not go into great detail about the story due to the fear of spoiling the multitude of events that make this novel so interesting. The main characters were well written. I was astounded of the details that were presented about their lives. The author made the backgrounds of the main characters so complete you feel like they could be real people. My favorite character is "Hobie, most well-intentioned and unworldly of persons." Hobie is a character that Theo meets through the ring he receives from the dying man during the accident and who ends up have a great deal to do with Theo’s adult life.

I did find myself at two points in this book thinking “why in the hell did he choose to do that?” I don’t know if it was just me or in these two instances the author was trying to make the story a little more interesting by having the main character taking the least likely choice set in front of him. Then again, I am not a risk taker and the main character clearly is so this might be why I was lost a couple of times.

I also want to point out that due to the details and information provided in this book, I feel I have learned a bit about art, antiques, and other tidbits.  Not only was it a page turner but you learned a little bit too. The author clearly did her homework.

A great book and a must read to anyone who likes realistic modern day fiction and doesn't mind a long read. I found myself having to watch the clock to make sure I didn't get to lost in the book and lose track of time because with this book I could easily get lost in its pages. I also recommend this book to art lovers, too.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

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Amazon Book Description

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

My Review

I would have given this book the full five stars if it wasn't for the fact that there were gun shooting or death around every corner. Though I will admit that some of the gun shooting was not with lethal ammo. I am not one to even watch movies with even a bit of shooting in to. So for me personally this book was a little excessive in that department.
As for the plot/setting/descriptions every this was well written, definitely a page turner.The continual "what's next" grabs you and never lets you go. The power of the characters that you got from the first book continue without any weaver. If anything you come to respect these characters more.
All in all this book was very well written, especially for the audience that it is intended for. Even with all the inner and outer conflicts with the characters the story flows naturally and isn't forced.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

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Book Description:

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

Review

Looking at the other reviews here and in other places, people either seem to hate this book or love it. Funny thing is I am neither. Leaving you with a balance and unbiased review.

I found this book to be a real page turner, or in my case I kept going back to the audio book. Wondering what was going to happen next. I will admit that I was disappointed on a few occasions with how something turned out, hoping there was more to it then what the author wrote. I even caught myself saying, “Well duh”. There were also points were the author made something so obvious to you, that you can’t help but think “How can the main character not see what is going on” thus making the story a little less real in my eyes. And yet I was still drawn back to the story.

What drew my back then? I think it was a mixture of curiosity and wonder about each of the factions. I tried to put myself in the main characters shoes. What would I have done? What faction would I have chosen or which one would I fit into? Which virtues do I agree with more: honesty, selflessness, peacefulness, or bravery? Reading more and more to see what each of the factions was like, how they acted and how they were changing. Watching each faction from what the author described as the rules they followed in the beginning and what they were like now. All this fascinated me.

I am not usually fond of books that are written in the first person, feeling that I am missing bits and pieces of the whole story that way. But I can see the benefit of first person writings, you are able to put yourself in someone shoes. And it works for this story. You are thrust into Beatrice (Tris)’s shoes and you see and feel things that she feels and it adds a great deal of personalization to the book that it needed. You find yourself relating to her and wondering how her relationships with the other characters are going to unfold.

Like I said I was equally disappointed in the day-to-day decisions and attitudes throughout the book were I was left feeling that something was missing. And in some instances there was something so obvious that you wonder why the author made it that way but didn’t have the main character acknowledge it.

The book description says it best “dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.”

I Like Giving by Brad Formsma

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Book Description:

When you choose to live a generous life, you start to change and so does the world around you. Something incredible happens when giving becomes your own idea, not something you do out of duty or obligation.

When you move from awareness to action, miracles happen. As you make giving a lifestyle, you’ll realize you’re not only loving life more, you’re also creating a more generous world— a better world for all of us.

Rich with inspiring stories and practical suggestions, I Like Giving helps you create a lifestyle of generosity. Inside you’ll find:
• Giving—something you get to do, not something you’ve got to do.
• How to raise kids with a sensitivity to others’ needs.
• You don’t have to be a millionaire to make a difference.
• Practical ideas for giving to people around you every day.

I Like Giving is about experiencing the joy of giving. We all have something to give. Giving goes way beyond money or things. It can be a listening ear, a touch, or simply the gift of time. Giving is living.

Review:

I received this book from Blogging for books for free for an unbiased review.

I, always, aim for a just review. I try to take into account a lot of different things; from the audience it is intended for, compare it to other books like it, my personal opinion does have some weight but not as much as one would think. (Or at least I am trying harder ever review I write for this to be the case) I tell you this because I was completely thrown off by this book. I accumulate a lot of information about the author and the book before I even start to read it. Nowhere was there any mention of any religious connotation whatsoever. I am not against religious books or anything written with a religious undertone to it. But I would like a fair warning. This book is not at all publicized as being a religious piece. This can be a problem for many people who pick up this book as a way to better their lives, who don’t want to religious sermon.

This book is advertised as a way to change people’s lives for the better. Helping others with your generosity, ideas on how to do this was a great idea. This book ended up being stories of inspiration with religious undertones. I also had a huge battle throughout this book dealing with the extent of giving. The author goes to say “we also know this type of life is available to anyone, no matter who you are, where you live, or how much money you have.” And then goes to say “you have to be willing to go on a journey that will be scary and uncomfortable at times….” Which I think frightens the readers into wondering which direction to go.  This book walks a fine line between giving to others in need and “giving the shirt of your back”. I am all for giving what I can when I can but I am not apt to put myself or my family into a position that leaves my family high and dry. I am not like the author willing to sell my business to work for a non-profit organization and wonder if I am going to have to sell my house. I am more apt to make hats and scarfs for homeless or less fortunate people than myself. Or even pay for a dinner for someone who needs one.

                I was hoping for a book with “practical ideas and inspirational stories” like the cover said. I didn’t find much of these stories as practical. Though practical is a relative term, what is practical for someone with extra money and what is practical for someone just scraping by is another thing entirely. 

The Book Thief by Mark Zusak

Product Details File Size: 205653 KB Print Length: 578 pages Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0385754728 Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (November 18, 2013) Sold by: Random House LLC Language: English ASIN: B00GCE3TCE Book Description via Amazon: "Markus Zusak's unforgettable story is about the ability of books to feed the soul. It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still. Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement. In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time." My Review: I tried hard to get into the book. I read up to the middle of Part 2 and even spent the money to get the audio to see if I could get into the story if someone else was narrating. I think the main problem was the time period. It was a horrible time in the worlds history and I don't enjoy reading about it. The story would seem out of place if it were set in a different time period though. I was hoping to really enjoy this book since "unforgettable story is about the ability of books to feed the soul." from the book description drew me in but I was very sadly disappointed.

About the Author

Mark Zusak has written four other books The Messenger (or I am the Messenger) The Underdog, Fighting Ruben Wolfe and When Dogs Cry. The Book Thief has been translated into forty different languages and is became a movie. First released in 2005, The Book Thief has spent a total of 400 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, and still remains there eight years after it first came out. 

Now I major motion picture The Book Thief (the film adaptation) is directed by Emmy Award-winning Brian Percival (Downton Abbey) and was shot in Berlin by Twentieth Century Fox. The cast is headlined by Academy Award winner Geoffrey Rush (Shine, The King's Speech) and Academy Award nominee Emily Watson (Breaking the Waves, Anna Karenina). It also includes exciting new talents Ben Schnetzer, Nico Liersch, and Sophie Nelisse (Monsieur Lazhar), with Nelisse cast as The Book Thief, Liesel Meminger.

Movie Trailer

 

Permission to Parent: How to Raise Your Child with Love and Limits

Format Read: e-book

Got Book From: Edelweiss Digital Review Copies (Free for Honest Review)

Available From: Amazon Both Kindle and Hardcover ,
Barnes and Noble Nook and Hardcover

Publication Date: April 29, 2014

 Length: 272 pages

Genre: Parenting/Child Care

 

 

(Summary)

"Over the past few decades, the power structure intrinsic to the family unit has flip-flopped. Children have become the center of the universe, ruling the roost with some serious ramifications for their wellbeing. By trying to constantly please their children and make them happy, parents are actually making their children anxious. In attempting to veer from the strictness of their own upbringing, many parents have gone too far the other way, showering praise onto their children in the hope of increasing self-esteem, forgetting that self-control is a key to instilling self-confidence.

Dr. Robin Berman’s extensive clinical experience has helped parents and children navigate the emotional and psychological minefields of family dynamics. In this essential parenting guide, she strikes the perfect balance of advice, anecdote, and research, explaining why parents need to be in charge and providing the tools they can use to give their children what they really need: limits, time, and more love.

Ten Tips from Permission to Parent

1. Parenting is not a democracy. Rules make kids feel safe.
2. Don’t be emotionally bullied by your child. Emotionally wimpy parenting leads to emotionally fragile kids.
3. A child who has too much power often becomes anxious.
4. Catering to your child’s every whim can lead to a child who is self-centered and lacks empathy.
5. Look long-term at a child who hasn’t faced consequences for behavior and, therefore, never learned accountability: Would you want to date this person as an adult?
6. If you say, “If you do that one more time,” mean it. Consistent follow-through is essential for a child’s emotional safety and your sanity.
7. Keep your eye on the long-term goal of raising a lovely child. Remember your mantra:  Hate me now, thank me later.
8. Talk less, give fewer choices, keep it simple. Less is clearly more.
9. No is a complete sentence. No does not begin a negotiation.
10. Reverse negotiate. The more they argue, the less they get. It works like a charm". Book Description

(Review)

The whole book consists of ten chapter’s ranging from basics of how to react to and talk to your kids appropriately, how to teach them that failure is part of the process of success, minimizing media influences, and more. I enjoyed the Shrink Notes at the end of each chapter, making it easy to re-read the lessons that were taught in the chapter in case you missed anything. It is a lot of information to take in all at once. The book isn’t about one section of parenting, like some other books, but incorporates all of parenting does and don’ts.

I was a little disappointed about the lack of information available about the author in the book descriptions on the book store websites and even online. It was hard for me to really take the information to heart when I knew so little about the authors’ background. Though she does let us know a little about her in the Introduction I still think with a book that contains a theory or information it would be nice to know that she has the right background to be giving us this advice. A little more detail about her background in pediatrics and psychology would have made me feel a little better.

This book was not what I expected. I requested this book to review because I thought it would contain more information about how to correct behaviors. Instead it was about how to teach your child to learn love and respect. Which is all well in good but not exactly what I was looking for.
I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review."

Martyr's Fire by Sigmund Brouwer

• File Size: 1797 KB
• Print Length: 226 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1400071569
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (October 15, 2013)
• Sold by: Random House LLC

(SUMMARY)

One of the third in the series of "Merlin's Immortals". A story about the Holy Grail and conquering kingdoms with a hint of religious undertone.

 "Will this dangerous quest lead the outcast Orphan King toward an ancient secret—or to certain destruction?
 Posing as a beggar, Thomas escapes Magnus after fifteen men, who are calling themselves the Priests of the Holy Grail, arrive and take control of the castle through wondrous acts and apparent miracles. With the help of his longtime friend Gervaise, Thomas sets out on a journey that leads him to the ancient Holy Land. Unaware that Katherine and Hawkwood are watching over him, Thomas is tested in his beliefs and comes face to face with the ancient power that the Merlins and Druids have long been searching for.

Enter the world of Merlin’s Immortals, where ancient secrets and evil conspiracies take you on a breathless adventure of discovery, intrigue, and hidden knowledge. " ~ Books description

(REVIEW)

I found this book hard to read. To the credit of the author it had nothing to do with lack of details or lack of well-formed characters. Actually it was the oppose it. The plot was good, scenes described nicely and characters were believable. My problem was due to the fact I didn’t read the first two books in the series.

I requested this book to review because I found the summary intriguing. I had hoped that I could read this book by itself and understand what was going on. But the characters were formed and had solid personalities that were already established in the stories before. It is not impossible to read this book by itself but there will be questions left unanswered since they were answered in the previous books.

I found this compared to other Teen/ Young Adult books the plot is interesting and keeps your attention even for young adults. Characters are believable and well defined. I recommend it for any young adult who is into middle ages and won't be bothered with a hint of religion.

DISCLAIMER: I received this book free of charge from Edelweiss by Random House Publisher (Blogging for books) in exchange for my unbiased review of it. All opinions are mine and were not coerced upon me to provide a favorable review.