Monday, October 31, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
The Hunger Games Trilogy A Re-Review and The DaVinci Code
Okay back to the story. I love Katniss, I love the fact that she's real. She's not some dopey girl who is madly in love with anyone. She's sensible when it comes to feelings of the heart and about life in general. She's imperfect in real ways, not superficial ways *coughstupidbellacoughcough* The love triangle is more real because sometimes you love someone who just isn't right for you. You choose the one who completes you, not the one you love more.
Going away from the love story the whole scary government thing is great too. No, Suzanne Collins isn't the first one to use children as pawns in some sick twisted way for the government to control it's people, Battle Royale and Running Man.... but her story is her story and it's very well written and organized. I can't fault it really. It also shows how wars and governments don't change over night. That leaders in these sorts of causes aren't always the good guy but a lesser of two evils.
If you still haven't read these please do so before it's ruined with the movie due to come out in March. Any true fan of literature cannot like any of the movies made from their favorite most beloved books. I hated the Harry Potter movies, the Circle of Friends movie, The Notebook, the Percy Jackson movie wasn't too bad, but it was nothing like the book at all! Even though I may be curious to see how the movie for the Hunger Games turns out I'm not going to see it. I'm just to worried they will have messed it up completely. I have my Katniss, Peeta, Prim, Haymitch, Gale all in my head I don't need Hollywood telling me how these characters should look. That's one of the best parts of reading....using your imagination.
I didn't mean for my "review" to turn into a rant about books being turned into movies, but it does annoy me. And it leads me into the second book (4th book) I've re-read recently The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. It's fast paced and very entertaining. Movie was only so/so.
I have yet to read the prequel or the newer sequel, but I really loved this book. I've always been one to question things so it's a fun alternative to some things that have been thought of as fact. It's based on some facts, but it is fiction. For everyone who may have been offended by this book it is fiction.
I'll try to be on here more often! Let us know what your reading! I'm always looking for new books to read!!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
What I Read this Summer!!
It is a must.
It's a fun entertaining read, better then both the movies!!
Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan
Just as sweet as the first time I read it.
I'd love to bake for people so this book appeals to me!
Will probably be re-read again and again!
(never again)
I thought the first book was ok.
I now know the rest of the series is dumb.
So, I shouldn't have ruined the first book by re-reading it.
Too late.
Souless by Gail Carrigner I liked it enough to read it again.
Not sure if I will continue with the series though.
Time will tell!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Chocolat by Joanne Harris A Book Review
~LiSa
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Harry Potter 7 part 2
Are you tickets booked??
When will you see it??
Monday, July 11, 2011
new blog....
Thursday, June 16, 2011
JK's new project.....
The link is to what will be a new website.... Pottermore!
Very excited to learn more in 6 days time!
Check out Mugglenet for more info!!
http://www.mugglenet.com/index.php
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
White Cat by Holly Black
Holly Black's White Cat was so different from anything I have read recently! I really enjoyed it, but... it's a series!! I have recently read a lot of firsts in series, mostly all young adult novels, and none of them I've wanted to read the second book let alone a third or fourth. This book is no exception. Where I am curious to what is in store for Cassel I'm not prepared to read a handful of more books to find out. If it turns out to be a trilogy then I'd be up for that. I don't regret reading it. I knew it was the first in a series and have only myself to blame for starting it. I also don't feel like I HAVE to read the following book, this was a good story on it's own. If your into young adult-alternative modern day-series then go get this book! Very different and lots of interesting twists and turns!!
~ LiSa
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Music!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
The Suspicions of Mr Whicher by Kate Summerscale
It's a very interesting read because it reads like fiction but is a very true account of what happened. The author did a great job and really making you feel as if you were there.
If you enjoy murder mysteries and true stories this is for you! Also have a look it was made into a TV series!
I was meant to discuss this with my fellow book clubers tonight, but due to my husbands work I was unable to attend the monthly meeting. Ah well next month.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
summer read suggestion!
Ever dreamed of starting over? Issy Randall can bake. No, more than that - Issy can create stunning, mouth-wateringly divine cakes. After a childhood spent in her beloved Grampa Joe’s bakery she has undoubtedly inherited his talent. So when she’s made redundant from her safe but dull City job, Issy decides to seize the moment and open up her own café. It should be a piece of cake, right? Wrong. As her friends point out, she has trouble remembering where she left her house keys, let alone trying to run her own business. But Issy is determined. Armed with recipes posted to her from Grampa, and with her local bank manager fighting her corner, Issy attempts to prove everyone wrong. Following your dreams is never easy and this is no exception. Can Issy do it?
A chic-lit but entertaining! If your looking for a summer read I would suggest this one. It also has recipes for cupcakes and other baked goodies!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Toxic Childhood by Sue Palmer ~ A Book Review
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson ~a recommendation
A mouse is taking a stroll through the deep, dark wood when along comes a hungry fox, then an owl, and then a snake. The mouse is good enough to eat but smart enough to know this, so he invents . . . the gruffalo! As Mouse explains, the gruffalo is a creature with terrible claws, and terrible tusks in its terrible jaws, and knobbly knees and turned-out toes, and a poisonous wart at the end of its nose. But Mouse has no worry to show. After all, there’s no such thing as a gruffalo. . . .
My daughters favorite book to date! It's one that I never tire of reading and re-reading to her! If you haven't read this book you must!
Five stars!!
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami ~ A Book Recommendation
movie tie in cover |
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Michael McIntyre: Life and Laughing ~ a review
Michael McIntyre has become Britain’s biggest comedy star. His debut stand-up DVD was the fastest selling of all time, only to be eclipsed by his second that sold over 1.4 million copies and was the 2009 Christmas number one. He hosts his own BAFTA nominated BBC1 series, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, and won the British Comedy Award for Best Live Stand-up in 2009 following his record breaking fifty-four date Arena tour.
I read this book in about a day! Very funny, moving, and entertaining. He starts out with his birth ending at his big break. He touches on his parents divorce, the awkward teenage years, finding the love of his life and the most important the ups and downs of going after what you really want. In a way it's a motivational story with lots of tears. Tears of laughter and joy and tears of loss and heartache.
If you haven't heard of him check him out on YouTube! Hilarious!
I give this a 4 star!
~LiSa
Sunday, April 17, 2011
The Blind Assassian by Margaret Atwood
I have always meant to pick up a Margaret Atwood title but never got around to it. There are plenty of titles to choose from but I thought I'd start with this one as it won the Booker Prize in 2000. I couldn't put it down. Even though I had guessed the ending and had come to the correct conclusion on certain events I did enjoy this book.
I did have my issues with the relationship between the sisters. Mainly because I feel close to mine and wouldn't have made some of the decisions that Iris had. Despite not liking her decisions, being a middle sister I understand what it's like to be an older and younger sister, therefore I could relate to both sisters and their roles.
I also related to the being helpless in a situation you feel you have no control. If only you were looking at it from the outside you'd see how to regain control. In those instances the solution is never easy and takes a certain amount of risk. Which is why some of Iris's decisions are unforgivable because she was just scared. Although there are times I truly felt like she, Iris, thought her choices were the best possible ones. Sometimes in life people truly try their best and their best just isn't good enough.
I would give this book 4 stars and would recommend it most fellow readers!
~ LiSa
Friday, April 15, 2011
If I knew you were coming I'd have baked a cake!
the hummingbird bakery: cookbook |
the hummingbird bakery: Cake Days |
Fat Witch Brownies by Patricia Helding |
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
The Glass Lake by Maeve Binchy ~A Book Review
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke ~A Book Review
Another YA (young adult) title! I kept seeing this book in odd places so when I was browsing my local Oxfam (charity shop in the UK) and it was there and I bought it! It was good, but not great.
I think if I was 12 I would have loved it!! Unfortunately I'm not 12 and therefore it was just okay. I don't think I'll continue on with the other two books that complete this trilogy nor will I go out of my way to see the movie starring Brandon Frasier!
I did really enjoy the bringing characters out of books by just reading out loud and the amount of chaos that would ensue. Which is why I picked up the book in the first place. It was full of adventure and intrigue! Therefore, if you are or have a young adult who likes to read I would recommend this book to you!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
If you managed to get a hold of Making Toast please feel free to let us know what you thought below in the comments. It is a book I will read one day, but I just didn't get around to it this month!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
However I found it really entertaining and unlike other series.... (yes another series!! 6 in total!!) I do want to know what happens I'll most likely be reading all 6! And if I get to the movies I'll be back to post on it!! I'm sorry if that turned out to be mostly ramblings!!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan ~A Book Review
This is the one where Zeus, God of the Sky, thinks I've stolen his lightning bolt - and making Zeus angry is a very bad idea . . .
This was recommended to be my by a friend on Facebook if you haven't already join us on Facebook. It's not the most happening place, but it's a great way to let us know what your reading and what you think we should read!! :0)
Friday, March 4, 2011
Sorcery and Cecelia: Or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
Basically one of the young ladies has gone to London to be presented to society and getting into all sorts while the other is at home also getting into trouble! Good read....there are two more that I think will need to be added to my collection!!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Book for March!!! Making Toast by Roger Rosenblatt
Long past the years of diapers, homework, and recitals, Roger and Ginny—Boppo and Mimi to the kids—quickly re accustom themselves to the world of small children: bedtime stories, talking toys, play-dates, nonstop questions, and non sequential thought. Though reeling from Amy's death, they carry on, reconstructing a family, sustaining one another, and guiding three lively, alert, and tenderhearted children through the pains and confusions of grief. As he marvels at the strength of his son-in-law and the tenacity and skill of his wife, Roger attends each day to "the one household duty I have mastered"—preparing the morning toast perfectly to each child's liking.
Monday, February 28, 2011
What did you think of Northanger Abbey??
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Souless by Gail Carriger
This book was pure entertainment!! Loved it! Probably will re-read it many times! It's not too long and it has everything I could want in a novel. Mystery, love, fantasy, all set in Victorian England! Although not completely perfect....as it's a series. I sort of despise series. Sequels or trilogies I can handle; series not so much. It's just that after the first 3 or 4 the story lines start to drop or get repetitive. I like that this book stands on it's on so you can choose to carry on or not.
Definitely give it a go!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Lost Encyclopedia
Note: amazon reviewers were saying some of the info was wrong....I'm a Lost fan, but I wouldn't call myself a Lostie so I didn't notice anything that was flat out wrong.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs
A knitter myself, I thought this book would be right up my alley. I found myself turning pages very quickly until the end. I liked the book and would recommend it for a light read, but I wasn't overly impressed. I felt that some of the things that happened in the book seemed to be a bit forced in trying to build the characters. And, save the main character, none of the others were really deep. I know this is Jacobs' first novel, so I would catch her a break and read the second one because she told a story I was interested in.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
let's eat!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The Return by Victoria Hislop ~a book review
Seventy years earlier, in the RamÍrez family's cafÉ, Concha and Pablo's children relish an atmosphere of hope. Antonio is a serious young teacher, Ignacio a flamboyant matador, and Emilio a skilled musician. Their sister, Mercedes, is a spirited girl whose sole passion is dancing, until she meets Javier and an obsessive love affair begins. But Spain is a country in turmoil. In the heat of civil war, everyone must take a side and choose whether to submit, to fight, or to attempt escape.
Think I might have to take up salsa!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Little Children by Tom Perroitta
I recommend this book, it was not your typical fairytale story. Maybe not quite like real suburbia, but not that far off either. You'll like it!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
double post
Saturday, January 29, 2011
How to Train Your Dragon book one by Cressida Cowell
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Beauty by Robin McKinley
Monday, January 10, 2011
Lovely Bones by Alice Seabold
This story is told from the point of view of a murdered girl and it focus's on how her family deals with the unknown and the loss of a daughter and sister. It's can be a little awkward to read as it's one of those things that unless you've experienced it you can never really know what it's like. I also hope it is something I never ever have to experience. Even Susie, the girl who is dead, doesn't know what it's like to deal with it as she's just observing. Susie's loss is something else: of experiences, growing up, and family. Which is why when young people die it seems so much more a tragedy.
I do like the way the book is sort of choppy going over a long period of time. Time is a man made thing so we all like to assume that 'heaven' is timeless. And I think if you're to write a book told by a girl who is in heaven the way it's written fits the story. The only part I didn't like was when she posses her friends body. It was weird. A bonus of this book is it's short and could be read in a day!
Last Note: They made a movie of this about a year ago, I could look up exactly when, but to be honest I'm not bothered by this one. The book is something out of parents worst nightmares and I don't need to torture myself really. The only thing that would make me watch it is to find out how they put it to film because of how it's written.
Friday, January 7, 2011
January's Book of the Month!
Ruprecht Van Doren is an overweight genius whose hobbies include very difficult maths and the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence. Daniel ‘Skippy’ Juster is his roommate. In the grand old Dublin institution that is Seabrook College for Boys, nobody pays either of them much attention. But when Skippy falls for Lori, the frisbee-playing Siren from the girls’ school next door, suddenly all kinds of people take an interest – including Carl, part-time drug-dealer and official school psychopath . . . A tragic comedy of epic sweep and dimension, Skippy Dies scours the corners of the human heart and wrings every drop of pathos, humour and hopelessness out of life, love, Robert Graves, mermaids, M-theory, and everything in between.
Hope everyone had a great holiday season and looking forward to reading with everyone this year!
Any books you want to read leave a comment!
Also look ahead in the tab Book of the Month!
Cupcakes at Carrington’s by Alexandra Brown {book review}
Every month a blog I follow hosts a book club, but the books chosen all have to do with food. Particularly baking. It’s very similar to ...
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1. Reread the prologue to My Sister's Keeper. Who is the speaker? Is it the same person you thought it was the first time you read it? J...
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What did you think of Fool ? Have you read anything else by Christopher Moore? Those of you who are familiar with King Lear did you like t...
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Out of all the recipes we have read about in the book, which would you like to have a go at and why? What’s the best meal you’ve made lately...