Book Review: Don’t Dump the Dog by Randy Grim

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Don’t Dump the Dog

by Randy Grim

genre: non-fiction

Summary from Goodreads

Do you want to dump your dog because he tries to escape your yard? Barks too much? You-know-whats in the house? Doesn t play well with others? Chewed up your favorite pair of shoes? You wouldn t be the first person asking to return your pet. And dog rescuer Randy Grim has heard every reason under the sun. But before you load Fido into the back of your car, read this book. In it, Randy addresses the concerns of dog guardians everywhere by responding to letters that he ‘s actually received. With humor, and from his vast experiences with abandoned dogs, he reveals exactly what you can do to remain calm and fix every bad behavior problem. (Even if it means dumping your husband instead of the dog.)

Book Review: Something from the Nightside by Simon R. Green

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Something from the Nightside

Nightside #1

by Simon R. Green

genre: dark fantasy

Summary from Goodreads

John Taylor is not a private detective per se, but he has a knack for finding lost things. That’s why he’s been hired to descend into the Nightside, an otherworldly realm in the center of London where fantasy and reality share renting space and the sun never shines.

Book Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

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The Maze Runner
Book 1

by James Dashner

genre: science fiction, dystopian, young adult

Completely by coincidence, Ermisenda and I have both been reading The Maze Runner. We didn’t realize it until she beat me to posting her review by three days. Though I could wait to post mine, she and I came away with very different opinions, so I hope you enjoy reading my take on the book as well. I’m going to see the movie this evening, so I will be posting that review on Friday.

Ermi, don’t you dare post yours on Wednesday. 😉

Synopsis from Goodreads

If you ain’t scared, you ain’t human.

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone.

Nice to meet ya, shank. Welcome to the Glade.

Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive.

Everything is going to change.

Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying.

Remember. Survive. Run.

You Might Like This Book If…

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Ermisenda and I were looking back at our book reviews and realized how short they’ve gotten (mostly mine). I used to have a “you might like this book if…” section and separated it out into sections. I’d like to get back to writing better quality reviews rather than putting them off until I sit down and write 10 in one evening, but they lack the detail and finesse.

That made wonder, what do you want to see from a book review? I have my phone back, which means Audible is back and I can catch up on the pile of TBR calling my name. What do you want to see?

I was on Pinterest looking for inspiration and found some graphics I may mimic. I liked the why bit and the suggestions.

Do you read book reviews? Do you like getting suggestions at the end? Help us improve our book reviews by leaving a comment.

-Eliabeth

Book Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

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The Fault in Our Stars

by John Green

genre: YA, literary fiction

I’m trying a slightly different review style. Please let me know if you liked it or if you want me to return to the old style by leaving a comment at the end of the post.

Synopsis from Goodreads

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Initial Thoughts

Cover: No idea what the book is about but it’s been a #1 best seller on Amazon for over 500 days and it was on one of the book lists I pinned even though I don’t remember which one.

There was a brief mention of the book on the radio and a review called it “The most romantic book of all time.” I like romance.

First 20%: This is about cancer kids. This is going to be depressing. Oh my gosh, this is the most romantic book of all time. This is not Snow White or Cinderella where the characters have less than 24 hours of contact before they’re engaged. This is better than Beauty and the Beast. It’s believable and the characters have time to fall in love. Possibly the best written YA book I’ve ever read, at least where the character development is concerned. John Green, what is wrong with you that you chose that for your cover? Augustus is one of the most incredible male love interests anywhere.

Book Review: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

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The Little Prince

by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

genre: children’s story, allegory

A classic children’s story that is so much more than just a children’s story. Find out why I gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars!

Summary

(Taken from Goodreads)

Moral allegory and spiritual autobiography, The Little Prince is the most translated book in the French language. With a timeless charm it tells the story of a little boy who leaves the safety of his own tiny planet to travel the universe, learning the vagaries of adult behaviour through a series of extraordinary encounters. His personal odyssey culminates in a voyage to Earth and further adventures.

 

Review

I met up with my writing friend Samantha the other day and as soon as I saw her, she gave me The Little Prince and told me I had to read it. I knew this was a big deal since she’s very particular about who can read her books and I was honoured to be trusted with her new copy.

It’s a small book and even though I’d normally say, “I’m too busy to read a novel because of university work,” I decided to read this book. After all, it is tiny and I finished it in less than two hours. It really is such a beautifully touching novel and while I don’t think it touched my heart as much as for some others, I can already tell it’s a book that will stick with me for many years to come. Maybe for a lifetime.

Book Review: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

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The Fault In Our Stars

by John Green

genre: drama, depressing-cancer-story

Teenagers. Cancer. Life. This was a bittersweet story that is beautifully simple but powerful. Find out why I gave it a 4.5 out of 5 stars!

Summary

(Taken from Goodreads)

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Review

This book was really hyped to me. I tried to give it time and distance before I decided to read it. I think a great description of this book is that it’s a tale about broken people with broken bodies. So when I finished reading it, I felt a little broken myself.

Augustus and Hazel are great characters and I loved reading it through Hazel’s perspective. I love how the story wasn’t hyped. It felt real and authentic. It explores the disasters that cancer creates but at the same time, how much meaning can be gained from it. While romance was one of the main genres of the novel, it didn’t overpower the story with sappy cliches. It such a lovely humbling novel.

I thought it was funny and great when I found out who the author was. John Green! I have watched many of Hank and John’s YouTube videos over the years on and off. It’s kind of crazy to find out he wasn’t just a YouTuber but a writer too. In fact, I watched one of John Green’s CrashCourse videos today.

One thing I didn’t like about the story thought was the very beginning. I just couldn’t believe how Augustus asks Hazel to hang out just after they met, and that she was allowed to just go with him. To me that was pushing the boundaries of belief but I let that one thing slide and there was no other point in the novel that I thought ‘ehhh, is that really realistic?’

I loved how the Netherlands and Amsterdam have such a big part in the story. It made my heart ache more so because that country holds a very important part in my heart because of my partner. I also liked that it was a country that is often understated. I’m sick of stories/characters which focus on cliches such as Paris/France or New York. I have already learned about those cities. I want something new. I want stories to make me fall in love with cities that I may have not heard that much about.

Book Review: XO by Jeffery Deaver

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best seller, book review, book reviews, books, contemporary. book, country music, crime, fiction, Jeffery Deaver, Kathryn Dance, love, mystery, quote, quotes, review, reviews, thriller, XO

XO

Kathryn Dance #3

by Jeffery Deaver

genre: mystery, thriller, contemporary

Vivid descriptions that will haunt your dreams. Without being too gory, Deaver manages to paint horrifying pictures. To those of you who know Deaver in person, be careful not to piss him off. His methods of killing people (in XO) are creative and disturbing. The amount of effort put into this publication is astounding. I’ve seen authors create jewelry from their books, Ermisenda and I have created t-shirts, and some authors have created playlists, but XO has had a singer record all of the main character’s songs. Supposedly, Deaver has even hidden clues in the music. I haven’t listened to them except the main song which you can download for free. Beautiful vocals, but wasn’t interested in the full collection. But enough about that, back to the book!

Synopsis from Goodreads

Deaver sets his heroine Kathryn Dance on a quest to stop an obsessive stalker from destroying a beautiful young country singer.     Kayleigh Towne is gorgeous with a voice that is taking her to the heights of the country pop charts. Her hit single “Your Shadow” puts her happily in the spotlight, until an innocent exchange with one of her fans leads Kayleigh into a dark and terrifying realm. The fan warns, “I’m coming for you,” and soon accidents happen and people close to Kayleigh die. Special Agent Kathryn Dance must use her considerable skills at investigation and body language analysis to stop the stalker—but before long she learns that, like many celebrities, Kayleigh has more than just one fan with a mission. A former folksinger, Deaver has written the actual song, “Your Shadow.” Readers will be able to download it from his website, JefferyDeaver.com.

Book Review: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

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The 5th Wave

by Rick Yancey

genre: post apocalyptic, action, adventure, aliens, young adult

Aliens, teens with guns, and a world upside down. This story touches on profound themes while also delivering an entertaining story. Find out why I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars!

Summary

(Taken from Goodreads)

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

Review

I took this audiobook with me on my 12 hour roadtrip to Melbourne. I’m glad I did! I had heard some chatter about this amongst book tubers and decided to check it out when I had the chance.

I really enjoyed Cassie, the main female protagonist. She was funny, witty, and sarcastic. Some of the things she said made me chuckle. With my partner in the car with me, he also found plenty of what she said to be humorous. Since the setting of the novel is so sinister and desolate, it was nice to have the humor spice things up.

Book Review: Hounded by Kevin Hearne

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Hounded
The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 1

by Kevin Hearne

genre: new adult, urban fantasy, epic fantasy

Urban fantasy meets epic fantasy in an interesting mix of old world meets new. Atticus O’Sullivan is a 2100 year old druid who lives in Arizona. He runs an occult book shop, uses phrases like “ape shit” and “I’m not the druid you’re looking for,” while occasionally using Shakespearean slang. He consorts with vampires, werewolves, and goddesses but HATES witches.

Read the full review to find out if I’ll be purchasing the second book in The Iron Druid Chronicles, or returning the first one to Audible.

Synopsis from Goodreads

Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, lives peacefully in Arizona, running an occult bookshop and shape-shifting in his spare time to hunt with his Irish wolfhound. His neighbors and customers think that this handsome, tattooed Irish dude is about twenty-one years old—when in actuality, he’s twenty-one centuries old. Not to mention: He draws his power from the earth, possesses a sharp wit, and wields an even sharper magical sword known as Fragarach, the Answerer.

Unfortunately, a very angry Celtic god wants that sword, and he’s hounded Atticus for centuries. Now the determined deity has tracked him down, and Atticus will need all his power—plus the help of a seductive goddess of death, his vampire and werewolf team of attorneys, a sexy bartender possessed by a Hindu witch, and some good old-fashioned luck of the Irish—to kick some Celtic arse and deliver himself from evil.