Bite-Sized Reviews :: Edition Forty-Nine

Hello, my lovelies! And a shoutout to my awesome #bookbesties and blogging friends. There are a certain few of you who show up in my comment feed around here, even when I don't reciprocate (which is totally not cool of me!) and I am SO extremely grateful for you. You are seen. You are heard. You are loved. (In case you doubted.) THANK YOU. *blows kisses*

And just in case someone else reads my sporadic posts and doesn't comment...I appreciate you too! I hope your September has been life-giving and hope-bringing. Fall is attempting to make itself known around my little hometown, although you wouldn't know it by the heat index... Yet the changing leaves are sweet reminders that cooler weather is coming, so... (Although to be truly honest, I've had a whole year and three months of summer now, so this cooler weather potential is sorta freaking me out. I'm not ready to give up my sandal-wearing yet!!)

Anyhoo! On to reviews...

I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott
This is such a humorous and engaging sort of read! I literally giggled my way through many descriptions of happenings in Ms. Philpott's life. As a bookish sort just like her, I loved how she connected stories with her life. Most of all, there was simply a whole lot of head nodding going on while I read. Especially regarding her idea that having a "mid-life crisis" is not a one and done thing. Or a stereotypical "mid-life" sort of thing either. Her uncertainties about her own life and what her purpose is were the bits I understood most. And she writes in such a relatable way. Definitely recommend if you're into quirky and wonderful memoirs.

Courage, Dear Heart: Letters to a Weary World by Rebecca K. Reynolds
Oh my goodness, this was so good, people! I have so many paragraphs highlighted, sentences that kept making me pause and reread them at least three more times. There is such depth and honesty here. The truth in these pages will hit your heart and remind it to hope again, even midst darkness. "But even in the dark, I can wait for the voice of Christ saying, “Step here. Step here.” I can know that his leading will come because this is the time that has been given to me. He has already provided strong memories to undergird me. He has provided open skies and deep forests full of running water. He has provided good, long paths to walk, lungs to take in morning air, blood that grows delightfully warm with exertion. I have been given bread, and water, and sleep. I have been given honest friends to remind me of truth I forget."

Book Girl by Sarah Clarkson
This book is FABULOUS. With brimfuls of booklists and quotes, I don't think you could possibly read it and not immediately want to be a book girl yourself. It's not just the booklists though, it's the joyful way Ms. Clarkson interweaves the wonder of story and how it can change you through every chapter and description. The way it is clearly woven throughout her own life and how she makes you want to be the same. I've always been a book girl, but this little volume arrived in my life at just the exact time I was already thinking how I wanted to expand my reading life. How I wanted to read outside my comfort zone a little more often and search out the truth to be found within pages where I wouldn't have imagined it being. This book spoke so beautifully to that part of my heart and gave courage. Life as a book girl is a wonderful place of being and I loved this honest and joy-filled bit of encouragement.

The Hundred Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais
I confess to choosing this one because I love the movie so much. Of course, as adaptations are wont to do, the movie is nothing like the book. Which disappointed me. I knew there would probably be a lot of differences, but I wasn't expecting such a vast amount. That's not to say this book doesn't have lovely parts, however. The beginning portions, when Hassan is remembering his life in India, I really liked those bits. There is a slight atmospheric quality to those descriptions. Which continues on into the family's life in France. If the book had stopped there, I think I could've loved it more. Unfortunately, the rest of the story felt more...I don't know. Like something was missing, maybe? The heart of the story, for me, was the Haji family and the assortment of people surrounding them, so once Hassan breaks off from the rest things fell a bit flat for me. I did enjoy picturing the actors as their characters, though. And the audiobook narrator was excellent at varying accents, which considering all the ones needed is perfect for this story!

Bite-Sized Reviews :: Edition Thirty-One

Well! I am severely behind on my reviews! I knew I was, but I hadn't realized just how behind, I guess. I've had a few books I read in between that I had committed to reviewing, so naturally I got those written. But my purely pleasure reads? Not so much. Since October!

So! Here I am finally. And be on the lookout for more coming soon! Because this isn't nearly all of them. Yikes

Dangerous Territory by Amy Peterson
A new blog I found highly recommended this book and I decided to try it. I don't read much non-fiction in general, but this story? Ms. Peterson's journey swept me up and away to the back hills of China and there I stayed until she was finished. Her journey is so not an easy one! As the title says, there is danger to be had, so beware. But it's a danger with a happy-ish ending and the sojourn to that ending is oh-so-worth discovering, reader friends!

Her descriptions of life on the other side of the world are vivid and detailed just enough for one to find themselves smack in the middle of this seemingly quiet little town. Yet I never felt bogged down with too much, Ms. Peterson mixes things up enough to keep you on your toes wondering where this journey will lead. In fact, I kept having this ominous feeling, like all this build up of tension was surely going to split apart and there would be mess and chaos. And there is! But in a quieter sense than I'd imagined. So yes, this feels like a quiet, little story, but don't let that fool you. There is much to learned from Ms. Peterson and it's well worth discovering right alongside of her! :)

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
This was super fun! And is that not one of the best titles you've ever read? I love it! It perfectly sets the tone for this quirky little story. I loved so much of September's journey! Especially Ell, the Wyverary. He was the BEST. But it's the pure imaginativeness of it all that kept my unwavering attention. We are thrust into this grand adventure right along with September from the very first pages. There is no need for explanations or discussions, there is simply the Green Wind hanging out by her window and it's up to her (and us!) to jump out with a yes. Each stage of her journey gives and takes so much, and as September grows and struggles and learns all that she needs to, I laughed at times, and shook my head in frustration at others, and ultimately enjoyed getting to know each dear character who refused to do what I'd anticipate they would. Which makes for great reading/listening, I must say! :)

I also have to admit that authors who read their own audiobooks can be a hit or miss for me and, while it took a bit for me to grow accustomed to Ms. Valente's style, I adjusted and she mostly stopped bothering me by the final chapter. So please don't let that stop you from listening! Because this delightful story is so worth discovering, friends.

O Christmas Bree by Erynn Mangum
As with all of Ms. Mangum's stories, I loved this one! In fact, I really, really, really wish it were a full length novel instead of a novella! I loved Bree and her family! They were so wonderful to each other. I loved how much they cared about everyone, including all their employees. And I could definitely stand to spend a LOT more time with all of them. Their Christmas Tree Farm sounds like an amazing place to visit at Christmastime. And Sam! Oh my heart, I need more time with Sam! Come on, Ms. Mangum. Pretty please??? ;)

If you have a need for reading a super adorable story, but not much time available, this one is for you! It's way too short, in my humble opinion. ;) But oh so worth reading!

The Carpenter's Daughter by Jennifer Rodewald
I have to admit that I really wanted to love this story more than I did! I really did enjoy the romance portions, and thought Jesse and Sarah had pretty amazing chemistry. I felt each emotional punch as Sarah struggled to find a relationship with God and Jesse struggled to do the right thing with this woman he was intensely drawn to. Sarah's journey was especially poignant and watching her navigate these new feelings felt real. Even in her relationship with her father, I could understand her feelings.

But her dad's feelings? Not so much. I really didn't like his portions of the story, unfortunately. His attitude drove me crazy,  and even though he does get redemption at the end, I could never muster any happiness about it. It just didn't feel real to me. SO many times I grew frustrated with his inability to make sense. He'd feel this way and then he'd feel that way, all in the space of a few paragraphs. He just irritated me enough that it kind of spoiled a lot of the rest of the story for me? :(

So! I, personally, would have liked the story way more if the dad's point of view had been left out. I was totally in this one for the romance and mainly began skipping paragraphs and chapters to get to those bits. But Jesse is awfully swoony. :) And the romance is super sweet!

A Million Junes by Emily Henry
This a very quirky and interesting story. It went in several unexpected ways, especially towards the end! I had been on pins and needles wondering how on earth Ms. Henry was going to resolve things. She surprised me! In a good way and in a weird way, it all worked.

I loved the magical realism that is never fully explained in great detail. (Which is best! Magical realism always works better when it's not really explained, in my opinion.) I also loved the family relationships, even when they frustrated me, because they felt real. Children can idealize their parents and parents don't always make the right choices in what and how much to tell their children. Mistakes are inevitable. And, of course, the romance was pretty cute! Although it did feel slightly too insta-love-ish to me, I still could appreciate the great chemistry between June and Saul every time they were together.

Ultimately there were bits I loved and bits I didn't and I ended the book happy to have read it, yet not feeling like I'd ever re-read it again. Yet I am intrigued enough to want to try more Emily Henry stories someday!

Audiobook Review: The Uncloaked Trilogy by J. Rodes {Blog Tour + Giveaway}

I am so pleased to participate in this Blog Tour today! Because this series is definitely worth getting the word out about. I was intrigued by the premise and once I dived into the pages, well...! Hopefully you'll get the chance to see for yourself, once you purchase your own copy! ;) I listened to the audiobooks and they were excellently done, for the record.

 Review

The Uncloaked {book one}
I was not expecting to be utterly swept up into the story so quickly! But Ms. Rodes hits the ground running in chapter one and lets the reader rest very little throughout the rest of the book. It feels so close to where life is currently in our country and how rapidly such devastating changes could actually become true. Considering all the heartache that these characters seem to about constantly endure, even before said changes show their true colors, I was so grateful that Braxton and Eliza's friendship was sweet and fairly uncomplicated. Each time they had a cute moment together, it allowed me to take a breather and just imagine being a teenager again. Yet this story is not for the faint of heart. Awful, terrible things begin happening and our characters have much to endure. And then there's that cliffhanger ending! Let's just say it's a good thing that I had book two at the ready immediately.

I will have to admit that Braxton bugged me several times during the story. I know he's a teenager with all his teen angst, but I got rather irritated at his flip-flopping back and forth. He could never seem to land on exactly what he felt about any of the changes happening in his world. A little bit of that I can understand, but when one particular, obvious awful thing happened he still couldn't decide! I was grateful that by the end, he finally seemed to settle a little bit. Book two helped my feelings about him as well.

Tearing the Veil {book two}
I was hoping for more answers to all my questions left over from book one and I did get a few. But of course, more questions just seemed to get asked and fewer answered! Which, naturally, required that I keep reading. Not a hardship, let me just say! ;) We pick back up with Braxton and I was pleased that he seemed a bit more settled in this book. Plus we get to know Hannah, Eliza's little sister. Now that Braxton has matured, Hannah gets to take over all his immature decision making! But luckily she's got Braxton to look out for her, even if she doesn't want him to. She bugged me a few times, but I quickly got over it.

The tension only rises during this middle story. I confess that there were several times I had to put the book down just so I could remind myself that this wasn't actually happening in real life! Kudos to Ms. Rodes for her incredible ability to write so life-like. Evil continues to run rampant through the story and it takes the courageous few to choose Truth over all the lies. Yet again, this book continues the adrenaline-pumping, uneasy bits, but surrounds them with small tinges of hope that refuse to give up. And that hope is so worth fighting for, as our characters come to realize. And that ending...!

Charging the Darkness {book three}
Wow. That's about all I can say about this final book in the trilogy! The same edge-of-your-seat tension held me captive from beginning to end. So many things happening and unexpectedly! I tried to imagine where I thought Ms. Rodes was going to take us, but, of course, I was wrong. Hope and forgiveness are incredibly powerful and should never be underestimated or thought impossible! This last book definitely cements this series as top notch and worth reading, in my opinion. :)

I was SO happy that my quibbles with a couple of the characters in the first two books were gone! Genuine maturity arrived and I was firmly on their side as harsh decisions were forced upon them. As per the first two books, the evil and darkness has continued to escalate, which only makes Truth and Hope shine so much the brighter! As each of the characters work through their individual journeys, I was blown away by their growth and determination to do right.

This entire series is well worth reading, my friends! This final book is proof of that, but in order to get to this one, you have to first read the other two. ;) So get to it! I don't think you'll be disappointed.

**I received a complementary copy from the author via Singing Librarian Books. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Books

From Sellout to hero, by way of the den. Braxton Luther finds himself in the crossfire of a new order, and discovers apathy is a dangerous option.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

About the Author

J. Rodes lives on the wide plains somewhere near the middle of Nowhere. A coffee addict, pickleball enthusiast, and storyteller, she also wears the hats of mom, teacher, and friend. Mostly, she loves Jesus and wants to see the kids she’s honored to teach fall in love with Him too.

​GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM
WEBSITE

Giveaway

~ Print copies of the books (US only)

~ E-copies of the books (International)

~ Audio copies of the books (International)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

January 8-Soulfully Romantic

January 9-Smiling Book Reviews

January 10-Book by Book | Flowers of Quiet Happiness

January 11-Just Commonly ​

January 12-Remembrancy

January 13-The Green Mockingbird

January 15-amandainpa

January 16-Fiction Aficionado | A Baker’s Perspective

January 17-Singing Librarian Books

January 18-Henry Happens

January 19-Reader’s Cozy Corner

January 20-Pause for Tales

Bite-Sized Reviews :: Edition Thirty

Hello, my lovelies! Guess what I finally clued in to? That I've posted very few reviews around these parts for the last several months! Of course, part of that is simply because I haven't done much reading. Which is perfectly terrible! But I've just had some minor health issues over the summer and early fall, notably especially the last few weeks. So take that and add to it a major reading funk I've been in and there you have it. I surely wish these things didn't happen, but what can you do? However, I did read several books in early summer I never reviewed, so here I am finally!

I recently reread First & Then and it was just as cute the second time around. So maybe instead of trying to read all new books, I should try rereading a few old favorites! We shall see. Hope all is well on your end of the internet! :)

First & Then by Emma Mills
This is not a perfect story, but it was overall cute and sweet enough that I could overlook the imperfect parts. Mainly due to Foster! Because I absolutely fell in love with his character. :) He's a quiet and smaller part of Devon's story, but there was just something about him that I loved. His way of looking at the world is much simpler than most people's, but that only makes him more endearing. And the way that Devon revolves around him is sweet.

She, herself, is a huge mixture of emotions and teenage angst and trying to find herself. At times, she truly frustrated me, but then she'd do something incredibly sweet for Foster and I'd totally forgive her, much like Foster does. She has such a loving heart, for all her occasional surliness and sarcasm tries to hide it. Her romance with Ezra is quiet and slow-building, which is perfect! It basically sneaks up her until her heart is committed without her realizing. But the truly shining moments in this story is every single interaction between Devon and Foster. Foster is well worth getting to know, friends. I highly recommend "meeting" him. :)

Switching Gears by Chantele Sedgwick
I picked this one up based on a blogging friend's high recommendation and was so happy I did! Even though I hadn't read the first book, Love, Lucas, this one is more of a companion novel than an outright sequel, so it stands very well all on its own. Emmy is the reason I loved this story. Still coping with the grief of losing the boy she loved, I connected with her struggles to handle those complicated emotions. Add to that the fact that her mother has a huge health crisis and I completely understood the way that Emmy was barely hanging on most days. That's a lot for anyone to handle! Having experienced very similar emotions, I was with her every step, wanting so badly to hug her!

It's a slow journey, but with good friends around who refuse to give up on her, she ends her story in a much better place. Speaking of, I loved her relationship with Cole! It's not an easy one, mainly because she has no idea how to manage all the emotions he causes and therefore doesn't always treat him the nicest. But he stays the course and watching as she slowly warms up to him is fun. :) Overall, it's not just a simple story. Emmy's journey is quite difficult at times, but so worth discovering!

Then There Was You by Kara Isaac
Kara Isaac never fails to deliver a swoony romance and this one is just as excellent as her first two! This is so much more than just an entertaining romance though, both Paige and Josh have a journey to go on before they're completely ready to give in to their attraction. They each have a lot of learning to do about who they are and what they truly want in life. Meeting each other and being forced to confront these issues isn't easy for them, but what fun it makes for the reader!

I laughed so many times, mentally cringed when either made a mistake (especially the one at the end! Oh my stars...) due to secondhand embarrassment, and just overall absolutely LOVED this story. I was easily swept up into the magic of life in Australia, which just made me want to actually visit the country some day even more. :) This story has definitely solidified Ms. Isaac as a favorite author and I shall now go and reread all my favorite parts again. And again and again! It's worth the reread, trust me. :)

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Wow. I've heard lots of great things about this book and they are certainly deserving! The slower plot and evocative descriptions were right up my alley. While I can see where some may not enjoy those very bits overmuch, I was thoroughly swept up in this world and anxiously waiting to find out what would happen. Plus Jim Dale was an excellent narrator! (I listened to the audiobook.)

I loved each of the details described so lovingly and found myself completely immersed in this world. And what a world it is! It's a feast for the imagination! The reader can see all the sights, hear all the noise of the circus, and smell the wondrous foods to be found there. I've never envisioned everything so incredibly clear before. Ms. Morgenstern certainly has a gift for descriptive writing!

I will say that the myriad of POVs was slightly confusing at first. I couldn't figure out how they were all going to intersect, though I had no doubt that they would eventually. Also the jumps around in time didn't always make a lot of sense, but they did up my anticipation for when everything came together. I had no idea where on earth Ms. Morgenstern was going to take me, but I did love the journey! I think that's the beauty to be found in this story. It's not the ending that's so enticing (although it is at the same time?), but the journey to get to that ending. So enjoy the adventure, friends! It's quite a wonderful ride. :)

Just Look Up by Courtney Walsh
So I sat down with this book one Saturday morning planning only on skimming through the beginning a little and...well....a few hours later I looked up having finished it! Totally forgot to eat lunch and everything! I related to so much of Lane's insecurities, fears, and doubts. Although I don't react to them by becoming quite as uptight as she or with as many walls built, yet even so I empathized with her constant mix of emotions. It was like Ms. Walsh had gotten inside my head and written my very thoughts. Thus I was anxious to see how Lane would overcome them and find herself anew. It was a beautiful, and hard, journey for her! When your instinct is to protect yourself, it's difficult to open up and let others in.

That's where Ryan Brooks comes in. I loved how he refused to give up on Lane! He is certainly not without flaws, but the way he could reach inside her walls and connect to her heart, even while she tried to deny it, was wonderful to watch. He is so good for her and watching the two of them slowly come together is swoony and delightful! But it's not just Lane learning from him, he has much to learn from her as well. They help each other grow in so many ways.

Reading this story was like finding dear old friends who filled me with warm fuzzies! Just trying to describe all the happy it gave me makes me really want to immediately go and reread it again. :)

Bite-Sized Reviews :: Edition Twenty-Four

Once again I am several book reviews behind. So! Since I know that this month is bound to get crazy and finding time to get full reviews written for these stories will probably be limited.....you get mini reviews instead! Besides, I want y'all to try these books, so the sooner I write about them, the sooner you realize you need to read them. Right?? ;)

Starring Christmas by Allison Pittman & Rachel McMillan
Are you a Christmas movie addict like I am? I'm talking about the cheesy and romantic hallmark channel sort. If so, then I can pretty much guarantee you'll love these two short stories, because they both read like swoony and fun Christmas movies! I know both of these authors are fans, and it so clearly shines through. I loved every reference, especially to a few favorites of mine. Best of all though? Even as things happen pretty rapidly in the romance department, the characters are so lovable and believable as they fall in love that it doesn't really matter. The heroes are swoonworthy and gentlemanly, both heroines are hilarious and sweet, the chemistry is fabulous, and the storylines are loads of fun. Basically I just grinned my way through both stories and loved every single minute! (Even the cheesy and silly moments, because what Christmas movie doesn't have those? The cheesier the better, am I right? ;) A perfect read for Christmas time!

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella
I've been a fan of Ms. Kinsella's adult fiction for some time now, so was intrigued when I heard she was writing a YA novel. Then when several blogging friends loved the story, I knew I had to try it. Cut to one night at B&N, I picked it up and read the first chapter or four, quickly realized I had to know what happened next but needed to leave for my evening plans, so I proceeded to read it while waiting in line, and once I got home later that night, devoured the rest of it in short order. Yes, it was that good! I loved the honesty of Audrey and how she dealt with her disorder. I loved how her family worried over her and cared for her, but never made her feel less than for going though it, nor do they ever baby her in any way (they're simply honest about their sadness and desire for her to get better). I even love how she doesn't magically get better by the final page! She struggles and even as she takes baby steps through her darkness, it's hard. She eventually arrives at a much better place, but hard work and the love that surrounds her is how she gets there. And Linus? Oh my heart, I loved he and Audrey's tentative steps toward each other. I loved how he made every effort to let her set the tone and speed of their relationship. Plus he's just adorable! As you can see, I loved so much of this book. It's a wonderful and authentic look at one girl's anxiety disorder and how she and those around her work through it. Beautifully written!

The Key to Extraordinary by Natalie Lloyd
Oh friends, y'all know how I gushed over Ms. Lloyd's first book, A Snicker of Magic, so you can imagine my excitement over anticipating this one! It did not disappoint. At all! :) I absolutely loved meeting Emma and Granny Blue and everyone in Blackbird Hollow. There is simply a poignancy and sweetness that infuses this story. Watching as Emma works through her emotions and searches to find her joy again spoke to my heart so truly, because that's what I've been doing this year since losing my own mother. It's not an easy road, to come back to happy after losing someone you love, and it affects everyone around you almost as much as it does you. I loved how this little town of quirky and awesome characters drew together through Emma's journey. She has so much to learn and so much to teach her friends. Every single character is wonderful! (Well, except for a couple. But they don't deserve to be named.) As I expected, Ms. Lloyd's writing is exceptional, which is only enhanced by the narrator's southern twang from the audiobook. I loved listening to this delightful story as much as I loved my actual reread after! Highly recommend if you enjoy magical adventures with gloriously quirky and lovable characters. :)

Dream a Little Dream by Kerstin Gier
I really enjoyed Ms. Gier's Ruby Red trilogy, so have been definitely looking forward to this new series! And what a great start. It's a pretty easy and quick read, nothing really extraordinary happens, but that doesn't mean there isn't lots of fun to be had! The plot went in a few unexpected ways, which kept me on my toes wondering what was coming next. Plus the romantic bits made me swoon a little, and I laughed several times while reading! So while much of the plot could be considered slightly predictable, there is enough cute and sweet moments, plus some fun bantering between the main two characters, that I truly enjoyed my reading experience. And I'm looking forward to seeing where book two will take us! One of the things I especially liked about it is the fact that enough storylines get resolved by the end that, while there is a bit of a cliffhanger, it didn't get me upset. While I'm waiting for book three to get published, I feel satisfied enough with where book one took me that I can wait a little closer to that publication date to finally read book two.

The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson
Why it took me so long to finally read this book I have no idea. Because I loved it! I already knew I want to visit Prince Edward Island (thanks to Anne of Green Gables naturally :), but after finishing this delightful story my desire to visit has quadrupled! I absolutely loved the setting and Ms. Johnson describes every detail so beautifully (her love of the island shines through very clear) that so many times it felt like I was actually there, feeling the wind on my face. But it's not just the setting, it's the characters. I instantly loved Marie. I don't know what it was about her precisely, but I sensed a kindred spirit. She has been through so much before the story begins and having the privilege of watching her grow stronger and work through her turmoil is an honor. Her journey isn't easy, but neither is Seth's, and together they stretch each other and help the other learn to move forward into happy and joy. Their romance was definitely a highlight of the story for me! The chemistry between them speaks for itself. :) I currently have book two quietly waiting while I savor the last bits of this one and am finally ready to dive into Caden's story. Because one of the big pluses of this series? Is the fact that they can all be read as stand-alones! I love that. (Also Caden's story promises to make me hungry for baked goods. As did this one, so be warned. ;) Read this one, friends! It's worth it, trust me.

Review: The Lord of the Rings trilogy by JRR Tolkien

So I'm going to do something a bit different with this review. I suppose technically these will be more bite-sized than full on regular reviews, but it's been so long since I read them that I forget a lot of the particulars. I listened to the audiobooks as well, so that doesn't help my memory either. I do remember really enjoying all three books though! And I remember all the FEELS I had once I finished. Bear with me as I try to put words around my love for this wonderful trilogy...okay? :)

{Check out Jamie's discussion posts of this series (here, here, and here), as well as Hamlette's read-along. Because these two ladies single-handedly convinced me that I needed to read this series ASAP!}

The Fellowship of the Ring
The friendships are my absolute favorite part of this series! I knew coming into book one, having already seen the movies, that I was going to love Sam. But I did not realize all the other hobbits were going to make me love them too! As well as Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn, and Gandalf. Even Boromir! I wasn't so sure about him, but he grew on me. I love this whole world that Tolkien has created, but his characters are what kept me reading. The epic scale of this adventure for Frodo, which begins so quietly, builds and builds as the book progresses. What you think of as a pretty simple task (although you realize it is anything but simple) soon becomes life threatening and perilous. And each character's reasons for making their choices is so fascinating. I admit I was surprised at how long it took for the fellowship to actually come together, but I didn't mind it. Tolkien clearly loves his descriptions and we get complete visuals of each place that gets visited, as well as the myriad of characters (both good and bad) that we meet. I loved that each main character gets described slowly and lingeringly, and my impressions of them changed a lot because it takes time to truly get to know each one and their motivations. Definitely an excellent read and I was very glad to be able to dive into book two pretty quick after finishing this one! :)

The Two Towers

Okay first off? Shelob = just NO. I will absolutely admit to skimming that part really, really quickly! And as always, Sam continues to show his awesomeness. All the hobbits do actually! There was so much I'd forgotten from the movies (probably things that were even changed as well), so I kept being surprised with how things happened, when, and with who. I didn't like Frodo and Sam going off on their own, even though I understood it. I'm glad Sam convinced Frodo to let him come! Frodo can make some really dumb decisions sometimes, just sayin', so it's a good thing Sam was there! And I was sad that Pippen and Merry got separated as well. But the Ents? The Ents are awesome! And I loved how Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli determined to go rescue Pippen and Merry. The friendship between those three is so wonderful, especially Legolas and Gimli, who have the biggest prejudices against each other to get over. They added so many funny moments, which just made me love them more! :) The hobbits continue to prove how phenomenal they are, and how everybody keeps underestimating them, which they should totally not do! And once again, I am in awe of how Tolkien manages to create all these separate stories going on for the One Big Cause and bring them all together, even while the characters themselves may be separated. Seriously! The epicness of this series continues to amaze me! But that cliffhanger? So not nice! At all.

The Return of the King
So many things happen in this one! Well, I suppose that's true for all three books, but still. There's so much going on and I don't see how Tolkien keeps track of everything and never lets the reader get confused! He's a master storyteller for sure. Once again, the characters are all such a mix of good and bad (or at least they sometimes make wrong choices, even if they're not inherently bad) and they each make me love them for differing reasons. I mean, Eowyn! And Sam! And Pippen! And Merry! And Aragorn! And Legolas! And Gimli! And Faramir! And everybody! My list could go on, but suffice it to say I love these characters. But my absolute favorites? Are the hobbits. Their loyalty in friendship, their fierceness in battle, their courage no matter the odds stacked against them, I ended this series with a heart that belonged to the hobbits. I feel like this is one giant of a story all about teaching the people of Middle Earth just how amazing the hobbits are. And how everybody needs to seriously stop underestimating them! Because they are awesome, okay?! :) I was not expecting the final battle at the end of the book, but it made sense once I thought about it. And I loved that once again, the hobbits proved how smart they are. I will admit that Frodo frustrated me several times during this series, but I still like him overall. He was just really blessed with an incredible friend in Sam and I surely wish he'd figured that out a whole lot sooner than he did. I could try and express how epic and awesome this book (and entire series) is, but I could never do it justice, so I'll stop here. But trust me, if you haven't read this, then please do. Because these characters and their journey of heroism and friendship is so worth reading. It inspired me and I aim to revisit this adventure again someday. Maybe several times as it's definitely worth a reread or ten! :)

Review: Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

I really enjoyed this one! I listened to the audio version and Peter Altschuler does a fine job as narrator. His voice was perfect for the Major! As I listened, I could easily picture him in all his gruff honorableness and proper way of living. I laughed so very many times during this story! :)

I loved the Major. I really did, even if he frustrated me a few times, just as he did the other characters. But for all his insistence on doing things properly, I easily empathized with him when everyone else around him refused to listen! I'm not so certain we'd get along in real life, but in fiction? He's hilarious and wonderful. And watching him navigate the myriad of situations, never knowing which one may explode all over him, is simultaneously funny yet bittersweet. He's such a lonely man and I was glad he and Mrs. Ali struck up their friendship. I loved their literary conversations and just how they understood one another. They both needed someone completely in their corner and I was happy they found each other.

But there were other bits that frustrated me with this story. For one, much as I loved the Major and Mrs. Ali, there weren't a lot of other characters I liked. In fact, there were several I couldn't stand. I kept hoping I'd change my mind about Roger, his son, but I ended the book severely disappointed in that. And several of the other characters never grew on me either. I did end up liking Sandy! I really, really wanted to hug Sandy at the last actually. As for Ms. Simonson's writing, well.... She's a great writer! She is. When I started the book, I loved her style immediately. But somewhere by about halfway through, I found myself getting a bit tired of all the lengthy descriptions and I'd skim through paragraphs to get back to the meat of the story. I'm not sure why that happened, but when I closed the final chapter, I looked back at my reading experience and thought, "Meh." By then, I was just glad to finally be finished.

Disappointments aside, I did enjoy this story. I was pleased the Major finally stopped letting other people's opinions impact how he lived his life! I'd read the book again just to spend more time with him actually. He really was the best thing about it and all his little commentary on everyone around him makes me giggle just remembering back on it now. For a glimpse of life in a proper English village, where everyone has loads of opinions and ideas for how everyone else should live their life, and to meet the awesome Major Pettigrew himself, I'd recommend trying this one! :)

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"You are a wise man, Major, and I will consider your advice with great care—and humility." He finished his tea and rose from the table to go to his room. "But I must ask you, do you really understand what it means to be in love with an unsuitable woman?"
"My dear boy," said the Major. "Is there really any other kind?"

It surprised him that his grief was sharper than in the past few days. He had forgotten that grief does not decline in a straight line or along a slow curve like a graph in a child's math book. Instead, it was almost as if his body contained a big pile of garden rubbish full both of heavy lumps of dirt and of sharp thorny brush that would stab him when he least expected it.

Audiobook Review: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

This book, y'all. It's been months since I first read it and I still find it hard to put all my feelings into words! I've had it sitting on my kindle for several years and for some idiotic reason, I never got around to reading it in full until this year. I found the audiobook at my library and decided maybe that was what I needed to get me started. I was SO right because this story completely blew me away! All the hype and the rave reviews? All the things every blogger/reviewer has said about Ms. Steifvater and this book? I am now a believer, my friends. Seriously, you need to read this one! It's unlike any other book I've ever read before. How? I shall attempt to try and explain...

First of all, the world building is fabulous! It took me a bit to settle into the story, but it wasn't long before I could feel the wind on my face, hear the ocean waves crashing to shore, and feel the restless energy of the entire island of Thisby. The whole book feels vividly atmospheric and interestingly vague. I say that because we're never quite certain exactly where and when this story takes place, but it doesn't matter because everything feels so timeless. Although there's electricity and cars, which rules out a historical time period, at the same time it doesn't feel modern either. And while the water horses (capaill uisce) have a fantasy genre feel, the rest of the novel is very real and relatable. I applaud Ms. Stiefvater's ability to bring such a mix of things into one amazing story.

Then there's the characters, especially Puck and Sean. I've not read a great deal of stories with multiple narrators and some writers definitely excel at it while others are so-so. This one is in the exceptional category! I should point out, however, that I think it helped that I listened to the audio in which the two narrators reading it were incredibly skilled at accents. Hearing their separate voices for each point of view worked really well and drew me into the story much more than my attempts at reading the e-book had. Likewise, all the side characters are just as fascinating! From Puck's brothers Finn and Gabe, to the horrible Malverns, intriguing George Holly, feisty Dory Maud and her sisters, and even the water horses themselves-who are "magical and terrifying", most especially Corr. There are some characters who are easy to label as a good guy or a bad guy, but most of them vary between the two. I was constantly trying to decide what they would do next and always having to rethink my ideas of them. It made them very compelling. :)

The majority of the book is a build-up to race day and as the tension rose and the stakes kept getting higher, it made me want to skim forward faster. But the beauty of this story is experiencing all the uneasiness and agitation right along with Puck and Sean. There's no great and huge action moments, either. Neither Puck nor Sean are talkative people, but as you spend more and more time in their heads, you realize it's the subtle moments that have the biggest impact on you as the reader and on the characters themselves. The complex details don't show themselves right out in the open; they build and build, quietly appear on the horizon, and all of sudden there they are right in front of you! Much like the water horses themselves, they make their presence known boldly and noiselessly.

This is a book that needs to be experienced without much knowledge of what precisely is going to happen. It's all the little moments strung together that creates the climb to the climax and then that perfect ending! It's a beautifully written story that is never leaving my library because I am positive there will be many a re-read/re-listen in my future! Highly, highly recommend!

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And then I see that Kendrick, too, has seen me, and is uncertain about getting into the truck, and that pleases me. I would like to be terrifying. I glower at him.
But Gratton's expression must counteract mine, because Sean Kendrick glances back the way he's come and then starts around to the other side of the truck. My side. Gratton opens his door and tells the dog to get in the back, which she does, shooting us all a filthy look. I move into the seat she'd been occupying--now that I'm sitting right next to Gratton, he smells like the lemon throat lozenges whose wrappers are scattered on the floor. All the while, I'm madly trying to come up with something catchy to say when Sean opens the passengerside door, something that will at once indicate that I remember what he said to me on the beach and also carry that I am not impressed or intimidated, and possibly convey the message that I'm more clever than he thinks, as well.
Sean Kendrick opens the door.
He looks at me.
I look at him.
This close, he's almost too severe to be handsome: sharp-edged cheekbones and razor-edged nose and dark eyebrows. His hands are bruised and torn from his time with the capaill uisce. Like the fishermen on the island, his eyes are permanently narrowed against the sun and the sea. He looks like a wild animal. Not a friendly one.
I don't say anything.

Review: The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

(Let me preface this by saying I may get a little longwinded. I have lots of thoughts to share!) (Plus I'll probably spoil some plot points.) (But no more than the narrator does! ;) I've been wanting to read Tolkien's work ever since I watched The Lord of the Rings trilogy actually. But when I looked at that series of books, I got a little intimidated. It seemed clear based on just a little skimming through that Tolkien is a very intelligent writer (true!) and would require me to think a great deal while reading his stories (I assumed). When I mentioned this fact to a few friends, I got told more than once that I should definitely start with The Hobbit. It would give me a good taste for his writing and be a pretty quick and easy read. I finally picked up my own copy and when I found the audiobook at the library, I snatched it up as well and proceeded to have loads of fun during my driving time!

Because that's what this story is. A very fun adventure. From the very first sentence we get taken along as Bilbo gets swept into the most incredible adventure of his life. One in which he is unsure whether he'll even come back alive. (Spoiler: he does. But it's what happens between leaving and coming home that makes for a wonderful read.) That first chapter is completely what sold me. The narrator of the story is hilarious! I wasn't expecting to laugh my way through this book at all. But that's exactly what I did! By using a narrator, the reader is privy to loads of little asides and comments and foreshadowing, all told by a sometimes snarky and always fantastic storyteller. The fellow made me grin quite often. I think that was one of my favorite aspects of the story, the narrator and his humor.

Now then, let's talk Bilbo. He's a little hobbit who has lived a good life and is quite happy to settle for just that. A good life. But he has no idea of the huge potential within himself to become something amazing. And that's what made me love him. The fact that he's got such courage and bravery inside and doesn't even realize it until it's forced out of him. I like that he's so clueless, yet never once hesitates to step up and do the brave and right thing every single time. He surprises himself!  He's far from perfect though. He complains a lot and wishes multitudes of times that he'd stayed home. Yet I don't think he truly feels like that, for all the times he mentions it. I kept getting the sense that his inherent fondness for adventure (buried though it was), the Took side of him, was actually his true self. And that every time he was forced to step up and make a deciding choice, his inner self was built up and through this unlooked-for adventure, he became who he was truly meant to be. If that makes any sense at all. His complaining is really just a habit that he created because, wouldn't anyone? If they were so constantly looked down upon by the people they spend their time with (i.e. the dwarves)? Plus he had become quite settled into his boring little life before. ;)

Speaking of the dwarves, they certainly deserve a mention. From Thorin down to Bombur, they all make very interesting traveling companions. I loved how Bilbo kept surprising them! I also loved how they grew to respect and care for him. Especially Balin. (He was my favorite!) They make plenty of mistakes for sure. But when push comes to shove, once they trust Bilbo, their loyalty knows no bounds. One particular moment I enjoyed is just after they get out of the barrels and are feeling all battered and bruised. Thorin makes the statement "And I suppose we ought to thank our stars and Mr. Baggins. I am sure he has a right to expect it...No doubt we shall feel properly grateful, when we are fed and recovered." Proof of how much their initial judgment of Bilbo had been changed. Even in a moment when they're feeling quite put out, they do realize exactly how grateful they are to have Bilbo along after all. It's a nice little bit. And even when other mistakes are made later (particularly by Thorin), it was so good to see their regret as respect for Bilbo once again rears its head. The dwarves have as much to learn as Bilbo does. Plus they tend to add a bit of humor to certain situations. :D

This world that Tolkien has built is magnificent in it's grandeur! Each place the group traveled to was richly described and I could picture every moment and every spot. I am, without a doubt, in awe of his ability to create an entire world that feels incredibly real. Every stop in the journey felt as if those living there had been there forever. And that they are still there, even after we left them, just living their lives and their own adventures. Much of the actual traveling time is quickly spoken about with just a few sentences, yet I could easily picture the days and miles between each geographical area. It all feels huge! Exactly like Tolkien wished, I'm sure.

With trolls and goblins and elves and men and magical rings and spiders and dragons and eagles and wolves and even a skin-changer, there isn't much that Tolkien leaves out of his story! (I confess to skimming quickly through the spider part, as I'm not a fan of even fictional ones. I was just glad when Bilbo once again stepped up to the plate and played the hero. :) I ended the story with just the feeling that a friend told me I would have. I'm now anxious to try The Lord of the Rings! Bilbo's adventure has only whetted my appetite for more of Middle Earth. :)

And I also must mention that Rob Inglis read for the audiobook and he was perfect! With his British accent and low, kind of gravely voice, it felt sort of like Tolkien himself was reading to me. I'm thinking I need my own copy of this particular audiobook. He was wonderful!

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In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.

Bite-Sized Reviews :: Edition Eight

I realized that I have quite a few books that I've read but not blogged about piling up. So it's past time for another edition of Bite-Sized Reviews! Yay! (I know how excited you are. ;) But enough about me and my giant (actually only four) pile. On to the book reviews!

Isla and the Happily Ever After - As a fan of Ms. Perkins, I'd been anxiously awaiting the delayed publishing of her third novel. And happily devoured it soon after it came out! It was so nice to get back to the French boarding school again, as well as see Josh get his happy ending. Isla and Josh are too cute. Which I totally expected because Ms. Perkins knows her cuteness-factor when it comes to young adults: Anna and Etienne, Lola and Cricket, and now Isla and Josh. I really like Isla the most though. It's interesting to be inside her head and watch as Josh basically sweeps her off her feet and how she handles that. Her insecurities and doubts combined with Josh's reckless tendencies, make their romance filled with ups and downs. But as the title so aptly states, they do get their happily ever after. It's the getting to the ever after that's the fun part! (Also, the appearances of the characters from her other novels are a fun addition. It was lovely to see where those couples are now. Plus we get a pretty swoonworthy moment or two with them! Which is always a plus. :)

In Consequence - As a huge fan of the miniseries North and South based on the book by Elizabeth Gaskell, this is actually the first sequel/retelling of the story that I've read. And what fun it is! Events happen just the same until the riot scene, at which point things take a much different route. John and Margaret have way more opportunities to spend time together, setting up several cute and sweet moments between them. Their interactions are almost always fraught with misunderstandings in the original story, and that remains the same here. Although things get cleared up quite a bit quicker and their open communication is a welcome change! I also really enjoyed getting a glimpse of their married life together. Nicholas is as impudent as ever, Mrs. Thornton as stern, Mr. and Mrs. Hale just the same, and really the entire cast of characters are wonderful. If you enjoy retellings of classic stories, I'd recommend this one for a bit of fun.

The Near Witch - I didn't think this sounded like my type of book at all, but I kept hearing such good things about it that my curiosity was piqued. And am I ever glad I picked it up! Ms. Schwab's writing is seriously wonderful! From the very first page, it swept me up and refused to let loose until I reached the end. Resonating with sounds and tastes and feelings, it is wonderfully expressive. While the story seems like a fantasy, at the same time, it really feels more like a historical novel. It's such a curious mix of so many different things. And it does them all well! When I closed the last page, I immediately turned the book over and started reading my favorite parts again. I love it when stories do that for me. I have, without a doubt, become a huge fan of Ms. Schwab's writing and look forward to reading more from her. Highly recommend!!!!

The Great Unexpected - What an unexpected delight! (See what I did there? ;) I found the audiobook at a library sale and snatched it up because Natalie had exclaimed over it (and she has yet to steer me wrong). Believe me when I say that this is an excellent middle grade novel. Ms. Creech takes a vast array of seemingly unconnectable characters and then gives hints little by little (keeping you turning pages or continuing to listen so you can find out what happens next) until there's an invisible thread connecting them all. And the characters are the shining points of the entire story! Naomi and Lizzie, Nula and Joe, Witch Wiggins, Crazy Cora, Mrs. Mudkin, the Ireland ladies, and of course the "infamous" Finn-boy. They are all delightful! This is a fun adventure full of eccentric and quirky characters that you'll love. I think I'll go have another listen. :)