The Romance Bookie

Hey Everyone! Finished another audiobook on my way to work!  This time it was Wonder  by RJ Palacio. I have been seeing Wonder  on store shelves for years now.  It caught my eye after a while, because I was just constantly seeing it everywhere! It's been on my radar for a while now.  I used to work at an elementary school, and one of the fifth grade teachers, read this book out loud to her class, so made me gain even more interest. It turns out this book has been popular for good reason! From Goodreads : I won't describe what I look like.  Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse. August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school.  Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid -- but his new classmates can't get past Auggie's extraordinary face.  WONDER, now a #1 New York Times Bestseller and included on ...

Hey Everyone! So I have a little background story to tell, before I go into this review. I am currently taking a Chicanos class for my upper division classes, that will get me my B.A. in Early Childhood Studies next Spring (2017).  This is a class that is supposed to be focusing on the adolescence sides of the Chicano culture.  Instead of a textbook to buy this semester, we were told to buy three literature novels that we would be reading this semester. Two weeks ago we were given our first novel, which was a book called The Tequila Worm  by Viola Canales.  This was a fairly small book, written for a middle school audience, so it wasn't too bad finishing it in two weeks.  Keep in mind, we have three other classes, equaling a full load of units for the semester, and I am in a program went for working adults who can't go to school during the day time, so we meet up twice a week in the evenings for class time. Anyway, the Thursday before this last Thursday,...

Hi There! Today I've got a review of Rebel Heart  by Moira Young, the second in the Dustlands Trilogy! As you might remember, I read Blood Read Road  about a year and a half ago! I initially started reading Rebel Heart  right after finishing Blood Red Road , but I got distracted with some other books and didn't really get back to it until I got this sudden urge to read it again! From Goodreads : Saba thought her world would return to normal after they defeated the Tonton and rescued her kidnapped brother Lugh. The family head west for a better life and a longed-for reunion with Jack. But a formidable enemy is on the rise. What is the truth about Jack? And how far will Saba go to get what she wants? Erin's Thoughts: Wow! I had completely forgotten how good these books were! They're so immersive! Every time, I get drawn into the world and the characters and the language!  After reading a ton of fantasy and not too much else, Rebel Heart  was just perfec...

If you remember, I reviewed Plus One  by Elizabeth Fama a couple of months ago!  I love  that book and so naturally, I went out and got Monstrous Beauty to read!! From Goodreads : Fierce, seductive mermaid Syrenka falls in love with Ezra, a young naturalist. When she abandons her life underwater for a chance at happiness on land, she is unaware that this decision comes with horrific and deadly consequences. Almost one hundred forty years later, seventeen-year-old Hester meets a mysterious stranger named Ezra and feels overwhelmingly, inexplicably drawn to him. For generations, love has resulted in death for the women in her family. Is it an undiagnosed genetic defect . . . or a curse? With Ezra’s help, Hester investigates her family’s strange, sad history. The answers she seeks are waiting in the graveyard, the crypt, and at the bottom of the ocean—but powerful forces will do anything to keep her from uncovering her connection to Syrenka and to the tragedy of so lo...

Hey Everyone!! It's been a while once again, for me to post a review, but FINALLY today I finished a book!! It was Burn for Burn , the first book in the Burn for Burn Series  by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian! From Goodreads : Postcard-perfect Jar Island is the kind of place where nobody locks their doors at night, where parents can sleep easy, knowing their daughters are tucked away safe and sound in their beds.   But bad things can happen, even to good girls . . . and sometimes, the only way to make things right is to do something wrong.   Lillia used to trust boys, but not anymore. Not after what happened this summer. And she’ll do whatever it takes to protect her little sister from the same fate.   Kat is over the rumors, the insults, the cruel jokes made at her expense. It all goes back to one person--her ex-best friend. Someone needs to teach her a lesson, and, with Lillia and Mary behind her, Kat feels up to the task. Four years ago, Mary left Jar ...

Hey Everyone! I'm sorry it's been a while! School started five and a half weeks ago, along with my second job at the elementary school, so life has become just a tad crazy again.  Anyway, I've got a review for you!  I just finished The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell  by Chris Colfer! Instead of giving you the Goodreads description this time around, I'm actually going to give you my own description, because personally I feel the Goodreads one, just doesn't do the book justice! From  Goodreads The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell  by Chris Colfer is one of those books that if you love fairytales, you will not forget!  It is the story of Conner and Alex Bailey, twin siblings who are very different, but end up going on an incredible journey they will never forget.  When their grandmother gives them the fairytale book, that their deceased father used to read to them, for their birthday, neither of them expects to be literally pulled into t...

Hey Everyone! Today I've got a Review for the second book in the Starcrossed  series by Josephine Angelini, Dreamless ! Here is the link to my review of Starcrossed . From Goodreads: Can true love be forgotten? As the only scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on. Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out. A ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies' cry for blood is growing louder. As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen's sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos....

Hey Everyone!! From Goodreads : I should not exist. But I do. Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t . . . For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable-hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet . . . for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything. Erin's Thoughts: What...

Good Day Everyone! The other day I finished my book at work, and because I didn't have my other book on me, that I already was reading, I decided to pick up the short but sweet The Queen's Army  by Marissa Meyer, which is #1.5 in the Lunar Chronicles Series! I've had this one sitting on my Kindle for quite some time, so this was the perfect excuse to finally read it! (Not that I need an excuse to read, it's just finding the time to read all these awesome books!) Anyway... From Goodreads : It is time. The boy must leave his family to serve in the Queen's army. To be chosen is an honor. To decline is impossible. The boy is modified. He is trained for several years, and learns to fight to the death. He proves to the Queen—and to himself—that he is capable of evil. He is just the kind of soldier the Queen wants: the alpha of his pack. My Thoughts: Like I said above, this one was short and sweet!  Z was a great character! You saw his vulnerability when he...

Happy Sunday Everyone!! Have any of you ever read a book where you found yourself wanting to do something afterwards, because it inspired you?   Second Chance Summer  by Morgan Matson is one of those books.  I found myself wanting to run to my parents and giving both of them a big fat hug and telling them I love them. From Goodreads : From the Flying Start author of  Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour , a powerful novel about hope in the face of  heartbreak.   Taylor Edwards’ family might not be the closest-knit—everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled—but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor’s dad gets devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend one last summer all together at their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains. Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the peop...

Hey Everyone, So it's been a while.  Unfortunately everything is just completely insane in my life.  With a mixture of school and personal problems I've just honestly not had the mind power to read.  However, because I have a 45 minute commute to my school every Monday and Wednesday I was able to listen to another audiobook for the audiobook challenge I'm participating in this year! That audiobook was Fifty Shames of Earl Grey by Fanny Merkin, read by Allyson Ryan. From Goodreads : Young, arrogant tycoon Earl Grey seduces the naïve coed Anna Steal with his overpowering good looks and staggering amounts of money, but will she be able to get past his fifty shames, including shopping at Walmart on Saturdays, bondage with handcuffs, and his love of BDSM (Bards, Dragons, Sorcery, and Magick)? Or will his dark secrets and constant smirking drive her over the edge? My Thoughts: I definitely laughed during this one!  It's a parody after all of Fifty Shades of...

Wow, this was a great book!!! From  Goodreads : No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much   impossible. Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again. My Thoughts: I am just going to get straight to the point...I LOVED THIS BOOK!!  This book has me ...

Finally!! Another book off of my review list! I'm so happy to be finally reading these! :) From  Goodreads : Jane Frank is ready to fall in love. It's been a year since her long term relationship ended and far too long since the last time she was kissed. With the LSAT coming up she needs to find a long term boyfriend (or husband) before acing law school and becoming a partner in her father's law firm. There's just one problem: All the guys in New York are flakes. They seemingly drop off the face of the earth with no warning and no explanation. Should she join her best friend Marissa in singlehood, making cupcakes and watching True Blood? Or should she follow her co-worker Andrew's advice and turn the game back on those who scorned her? As Jane attempts to juggle her own responsibilities and put up with the problems of everyone around her, she starts to realize the dating life isn't as easy as she originally thought. My Thoughts: Overall, Meredith...

***WARNING***This Book contained some Mature Content, not intended for under the age of 18 audiences!!!*** Wow, I can't even tell you how many time I have laughed over the past couple of days, as I was reading Wallbanger by Alice Clayton! From Goodreads : Caroline Reynolds has a fantastic new apartment in San Francisco, a KitchenAid mixer, and no O (and we’re not talking Oprah here, folks). She has a flourishing design career, an office overlooking the bay, a killer zucchini bread recipe, and no O. She has Clive (the best cat ever), great friends, a great rack, and no O. Adding insult to O-less, since her move, she has an oversexed neighbor with the loudest late-night wallbanging she’s ever heard. Each moan, spank, and–was that a meow?–punctuates the fact that not only is she losing sleep, she still has, yep, you guessed it, no O. Enter Simon Parker. (No, really, Simon, please enter.) When the wallbanging threatens to literally bounce her out of bed, Caroline, clad...

Hey Everyone! Today I would like to welcome Kimberly S. Young, the author of The Eighth Wonder ! A modern Bridges of Madison County, Nicole Benson, 35, is an ambitious college professor with dreams of teaching at an Ivy-league university until she falls in love with Tom Ryan, 44, married 23 years and shattered by his daughter’s death from leukemia. As a psychologist, I have counseled men and women struggling with extramarital attractions and understand the emotional conflicts those endure who deeply value fidelity but still feel the pull of falling in love with another, even when one party or the other appears to be happily married. These experiences led me to write The Eighth Wonder. I was homebound for almost five months recovering from retina re-attachment surgery. This was very serious. I had surgery in both eyes.  All the surgeon could say was that it was “in God’s hands now” because my left retina almost completely fell off before it was detected. I was scared...

The List is one of those books that I have been looking forward to reading since its release last April (2012).  I almost traded it with someone a couple of weeks ago, but that ended up not working out.  So when I went to the library last week, and found it in the Teen Section, I was excited and checked it out without even thinking about it. Let me just start by saying that for the fact this book has been on my to-be-read list since last April, I was disappointed. From Goodreads :   An intense look at the rules of high school attraction -- and the price that's paid for them. It happens every year. A list is posted, and one girl from each grade is chosen as the prettiest, and another is chosen as the ugliest. Nobody knows who makes the list. It almost doesn't matter. The damage is done the minute it goes up. This is the story of eight girls, freshman to senior, "pretty" and "ugly." And it's also the story of how we see oursel...