#amreading

Indeed, this summer has been a special one <3

Summer Break 2012 - My very first summer with no school and no second job! And boy-oh-boy has it been an exciting one! 

I’ve been on a road trip from Las Vegas, NV to Pocatello, ID with my sisters and wee brother.

Visited my Grandma Noli in Lindenhurst, NY.

Driven through the beautiful state of Nevada to spend a few days in Tahoe… Where I hiked to the top of the mountain!

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And last week I went to Salt Lake, UT to visit my husband’s cousins and nephew.

Did you know that Salt Lake has the best Mexican food?! Seriously?!

Red Iguana --- Check. It. Out. http://rediguana.com/home.html

As I trekked on my way to these many destinations I always had a book or five *wink* in my bag. It has truly been a lovey summer.

Now, I may or may not have made a list on “chores” I was going to do over summer break, and I may or may not have conveniently tossed that list in the trash, but even so, it’s much more fun to focus on accomplishments --- And I have, for which, I am so excited about!

 

Henceforth, this post is devoted to my reading nook...

You see there is this little nook in my bedroom --- and since I moved into my house 4 years ago --- this nook has been a place to store "crap".

My husband has been suggesting for months that clean it out and turn it into a nice little reading room... But every time I cleared it out, almost immediately little fairies (or something invisible to mine eye) began to pile more crap in my nook! 

If you haven't guessed it yet --- I successfully cleaned out my nook! And now I have a cozy little reading room to call me own... with my little bookshelf and of course my hidden cookies (because who doesn't eat cookies when they read).

With a month left of summer --- before I find my way back to my classroom --- I have many books to read and review.

With that said my friends…

"fair winds and following seas"

Tara Hudson - Arise

Tara Hudson wrote a truly fabulous and spellbinding sequel to Hereafter. 
In Hereafter, I unquestionably feel in love with Joshua's loyalty and Amelia's sweet disposition.


I wanted desperately for their love to overcome the small dilemma of her being --- ya know --- a ghost!  




With ease, I walked away from Hereafter and believed that Amelia was on the same page as me… however, silly Amelia decided to "find" herself and lose sight of Joshua’s devoted love during Arise. 

Arise, was a journey that Amelia needed to take... I get that... In order to find out what mattered most to her, as well as, the sacrifices she was willing to make, Sweet Amelia had to walk her own path, one separate from my lovely Joshua. 


With creepy ghosts and black smoky things chasing her around, she needed to figure out how to defend herself and save the ones she loved. She met a grip of interesting people and some crazy stuff that happens without a doubt. 


I love Joshua and Amelia’s story, and although I close Arise with a tight smile --- I have many questions left unanswered and my heart burns to understand how they will overcome the new obstacles in their story --- 

Yay! Tara Hudson -Hereafter

A ghost story! Yay! Haven’t read one of them yet!

This I have “bagged”:

Vamps

Seriously --- stop it please --- too hot... *hangs head in shame*

Fey

Angels

Fallen Angels

Patch --- *swoon*

And now I happily, I'll add Ghosts to the list!

Go me!

But seriously ---

Hereafter was a delightful love story! It did not take long before I was hooked! Tara Hudson is a fabulous writer. Immediately, I loved the way her characters interacted – and her vocabulary! I seriously felt smarter having read her book!

The conversations that her characters have are witty and oh-so-sweet.

Amelia ---

Joshua ---

Joshua was the sugary, devoted young man Amelia saved from the waters under High Bridge, and I tell you what- from page 20 on -I could not get enough of their relationship.

With YA I find the sweetness of an embrace throws an army of butterflies into my stomach! And Tara did not disappoint!

Seriously though, Amelia is so cute and naive in an adorable sort of way.

And Joshua makes your heart melt with his willingness to love Amelia no matter what --- throw a little drama into the mix and we have a perfect little love story ... :)

Read it!  

Just blabbing about Unearthly Trilogy!

All done --- finished! OMG! ---- P.S. Almost spoiler alert ;) 

Wow! I just cannot believe it --- This story is amazing, lovely, and truly romantic... It did something to me! I mean I have come to a point where I expect there to be a girl and a guy --- and then another guy --- you know, the whole love triangle where you want to scream and throw things --- maybe stab someone for shits and giggles... but Cynthia Hand does not prompt this type of emotion or behavior from me.

You see for once, I am not putting the female in the story on a mob hit list… I love Clara --- She is mature(ish), witty, reckless at times, and she loves, too much for her own good. Clara accepts her fate and then at the same time she denies it… or tries to change it. She loves Tucker --- she is in love with Tucker… BUT it’s becoming all too real that she cannot or maybe should not be with him.

You cannot read this story without being all about Tucker --- he just pulls at your heart strings. But at the same time, you never really develop hatred towards Christian, but Christian is hotness personified! While at the same time he is completely devoted to Clara and will always be! This is ingenious of Cynthia Hand, because at this point no one would really hate the ending either way (Tucker or Christian)… Just my opinion, but my opinion is all that really matters to me J

So---- what am I--- Team Tucker or Team Christian??? Honestly, I am Team Christian. She is his destiny --- Tucker is her first love… He showed her the passion to love --- but, she will never be able to truly be herself around him… Christian on the other hand truly is her soul mate --- her purpose. This is how I see it --- In the next book, Boundless, we need to see Clara fall in love with Christian … Like really passionately fall in love with Christian (hopefully this does not mean Christian has to fall out of love with her first or get distracted because that would suck)… Tucker will be okay… He is a stand up kind of guy.

I am a little nervous --- at this point we have seen some very dynamic and intimate interactions between Christian and Clara --- Can Cynthia Hand deliver something that will surpass Hallowed? And do I really have to wait until 2013! Ughhh… 

Book Review! ---The Fallen Series---

Lauren Kate –

The Fallen Series

From the get-go– I feel in love with Luce. Which was a good thing – because as all YA books tend to progress, you eventually want to kill the female for being so stupid. So, building a solid relationship from the start it important. During Fallen, I was so confused --- Once Luce arrived at Sword & Cross boarding school, Lauren Kate immediately drew me into Cam’s character. He was slightly creepy, but mostly intoxicating. I thought Daniel was a big jerk – and Luce should just cut her losses. Arriane scared the crap out of me --- and I was screaming at LUCE to GET AWAY!

SUPRISINGLY! The feeling I developed for Cam in the first book, were slightly tainted during Torment, but I still found, even at the end, wishing Luce and Cam could have just one more kiss. I KNOW-I AM CRAZY ;)

EPIC is the only way to describe this love story. My heart continually broke for these characters. The amount of suffering that Meghan and Daniel went through was excruciating. THE AMOUNT OF SUFFERING THE ENTIRE ANGEL CREW WENT THROUGH- Just sucked! The romance was there – however – I almost felt like Lauren Kate was a little too PG. I need a balance between hot and steamy – and sweet and romantic. I had moments where Daniel and Meghan’s interactions would make me blush --- but call me a perv, I wanted it more…

There were so many things going on in the story, I had million questions when I arrived at Rapture – and I feel the majority of them were answered---- however, I am still confused about one very important part ---- Why did Trevor burst into flames!?

If somebody can PLEASE help me out with this one --- I will kiss you!

One more thing --- I am just curious who most people envision when they thing of Daniel, Cam, and Luce --

- 

Best I have found of Daniel --- hot ;)

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Alex Pettyfer - as Daniel --- I think YES! 

Book Review! ---The Iron Fey---

First Days of Summer

Over the span of two weeks, I have traveled through trods, announcers, the wlyd woods, and ancient ruins. I have fallen in and out of love with characters that both fascinate and infuriate me. And I am a stronger person for it… ;)

Julie Kagawa

Iron Fey Series

Many have compared this story to the enchanting world of Narina. I could not agree more. From the start, this story drew me into the beauty and enchantment of a faraway land. Julie had the perfect balance of drama, excitement, romance, and pure comedy.

Puck – I love this boy! From the beginning of the story you saw his dedication to Meghan and his fun spirit.

Meghan and I had some ups and downs. She was not as naïve as some female characters have been portrayed – over I just found myself wishing she was making different fashion decisions --- I know silly, but I am have a thing for fashion in my love stories *wink*

With most YA series I have read – I tend to immediately choose a team (Team Edward *swooning* Team Patch *licking lips*) But I honestly, I would have been happy with Meghan’s decision (Ash– or – Puck) … Until, however we reach the Iron Queen --- This is when my opinion completely changed and I saw the love and sacrifices that Ash was making in order to keep Meghan safe.

I found myself indulging in the romance between Ash and Meghan --- Julie made my heart melt and break a million times and I thank her for that!

The Iron Knight – Ash’s travels to find a soul … was a beautiful story where the reader was able to experience Ash in a completely different way (love the male POV). The development of Ash’s character from the first to last book is shocking. I loved it!

I don’t want to say goodbye the Nevernever – and am super excited to read The Lost Prince!