Baby Proof by Emily Giffin

Summary:
From the author of the smash hits Something Borrowed and Something Blue comes a novel that explores the question: is there ever a deal-breaker when it comes to true love?

First comes love. Then comes marriage. Then comes . . . a baby carriage? Isn't that what all women want?

Not so for Claudia Parr. And just as she gives up on finding a man who feels the same way, she meets warm, wonderful Ben. Things seem too good to be true when they fall in love and agree to buck tradition with a satisfying, child-free marriage. Then the unexpected occurs: one of them has a change of heart. One of them wants children after all.

This is the witty, heartfelt story about what happens to the perfect couple when they suddenly want different things. It's about feeling that your life is set and then realizing that nothing is as you thought it was--and that there is no possible compromise. It's about deciding what is most important in life, and taking chances to get it. But most of all, it's about the things we will do--and won't do--for love. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I love Emily Giffin's books, not because they're amazing literature, but they're so easy to read and really draw you in. Baby Proof is nowhere near my favorite of Giffin's novels, but I sped through the pages so quickly that I read the book in about a day. I haven't done that in so long!

Many women might be drawn to Claudia because she says she doesn't want kids and that's still somewhat rare in today's society. There are definitely a lot more childless women now but I know there is still a lot of pressure from traditional family members to have kids. So it's neat that Claudia represents that segment of women. I'd probably be good with or without kids so I can definitely understand Claudia's mindset and she makes a lot of good points for a childlike existence. I also enjoyed reading about Claudia because she's pretty snarky, which is hilarious. For example, when her husband suggests forgoing birth control to see what happens, she responds with "How about we hold hands, jump out the window and see if we're meant to die?" Maybe I have a weird sense of humor but I thought that was hysterical.

There is more I want to say about Claudia's decisions, but that will give away too much of what happens! Regardless, I really like Emily Giffin's books and can't wait to read more from her.

Rating: 8 out of 10.
FTC: library.

2006/St. Martin's Press/340 pages

Blog Tour - Loop by Karen Akins!

I am so excited to be a part of the blog tour for Loop by Karen Akins, which was released about a week ago. Please check out Karen's thoughts about time travel, which plays a big part in her new novel:

 

 

Thank you so much for having me on your blog today to celebrate the release of LOOP!

 

LOOP has some pretty twisty-turny, wibbly-wobbly time travel in it. When I was deciding exactly what rules of time travel I wanted/needed to set up, I had one main question that needed to be answered.

 

Can Shifters change the past?

 

The answer to this question is pretty much the crux of any time travel story. It drives my character’s motivations and worldview. And there are a lot of great examples of both answers to that question.

 

On the “yes” side is Back to the Future, Terminator, Looper, Dr. Who (sort of), X-Men: Days of Future Past, some renditions of Star Trek

 

On the “no” side is The Time Traveler’s Wife, Harry Potter’s time-turner, A Christmas Carol, other renditions of Star Trek

 

There’s not a right or wrong answer. I look at both of these lists and see time travel that I love on each one. Both sides have their challenges in writing. It’s easier to write yourself into a corner when your characters can’t change their environment or affect the outcome of the past.

 

At the same time, if you change anything in the past, you have to think of all the other changes that will ripple throughout your story. The Grandfather Paradox is always waiting right outside your door, ready to bite. If you go back in time and kill your grandfather, wouldn’t you cease to exist? But if that happened, then you wouldn’t have existed, and therefore you wouldn’t have been able to kill your grandfather, but then you’re back to existing, so what if you went back in time and killed your grandfather…?

 

On a side note, how many theoretical grandpas have been killed in the name of science?

 

Does your brain hurt yet? Here, watch this Big Bang Theory clip on time travel grammar. It will make you feel better (even if it does nothing to help your brainache).

 

  

 

Still don’t feel better? Okay, watch Baby Groot dance.

 

 

 

 

Ahh, much better.

 

Thanks again for having me! I hope everyone enjoys LOOP. <3 p="">

Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier

Summary:
Gwen has a destiny to fulfill, but no one will tell her what it is.

She’s only recently learned that she is the Ruby, the final member of the time-traveling Circle of Twelve, and since then nothing has been going right. She suspects the founder of the Circle, Count Saint-German, is up to something nefarious, but nobody will believe her. And she’s just learned that her charming time-traveling partner, Gideon, has probably been using her all along.

This stunning conclusion picks up where Sapphire Blue left off, reaching new heights of intrigue and romance as Gwen finally uncovers the secrets of the time-traveling society and learns her fate. (from GoodReads)

Review:
Ok, it's been awhile since I read this so short review! I love the series as a whole, especially the first two books. It has a great premise and the characters are hilarious. I also enjoyed the burgeoning romance between Gwen and Gideon. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy the conclusion quite as much. The plot started to get confusing with no great development and Gwen and Gideon's relationship started getting to that insta-love phase. Overall, I liked it but yeah, this one isn't as great as its predecessors.

Rating: 7 out of 10.
FTC: library

2013/Henry Holt/451 pages.

Top Ten Tuesday - 136

Top Ten Tuesday was started by The Broke and the Bookish for bloggers who like to make lists about books.

Top Ten Books & Movies To Get into the Halloween Spirit

Books:

1. Night Film by Marisha Pessl
This book starts out so creepy. I remember just feeling uncomfortable while reading because the author does such a great job of setting a mood. It also has a great mystery that was fun to unravel.

2. The Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting
Come on, Violet has a special sense that draws her to dead bodies. Perfect for Halloween.

3. Frost by Marianna Baer
I loved the ambiguity of Frost because you don't know if the house is haunted or the happenings are a result of mental illness.

4. Down a Dark Hallway by Lois Duncan
This probably isn't that scary anymore, but it definitely freaked me out in middle school!

Movies:

1. The Conjuring - Such a spooky ghost story! I obviously don't believe that it's real, but they do claim that it all happened. Now I can't wait to watch the companion movie Annabelle.

2. The Village - I love this movie not because it's scary but the message is great! I'm sure some people will be freaked out by the scary parts too.

3. Hocus Pocus - Halloween classic

4. Halloweentown - Same for this one. Gotta love those Halloween classics.

5. Halloween - Michael Myers has always creeped me out and I love that it always takes place on Halloween.

6. Silent House - I don't get scared watching horror (unless it's a jump scare) but I remember being truly freaked out by this! Elizabeth Olsen does a great job.

Dualed by Elsie Chapman

Summary:
Two of you exist. Only one will survive.

The city of Kersh is a safe haven, but the price of safety is high. Everyone has a genetic Alternate—a twin raised by another family—and citizens must prove their worth by eliminating their Alts before their twentieth birthday. Survival means advanced schooling, a good job, marriage—life.

Fifteen-year-old West Grayer has trained as a fighter, preparing for the day when her assignment arrives and she will have one month to hunt down and kill her Alt. But then a tragic misstep shakes West’s confidence. Stricken with grief and guilt, she’s no longer certain that she’s the best version of herself, the version worthy of a future. If she is to have any chance of winning, she must stop running not only from her Alt, but also from love . . . though both have the power to destroy her. (from GoodReads)

Review:
When Dualed was announced however long ago, I thought it sounded so cool. You have a twin that you have to kill? That sounds so awesome and it would be like watching a thriller. Unfortunately, my expectations were way too high for this book.

Honestly, I did not like this book at all and it's sad to say that I can't think of that many redeeming qualities. I just felt like nothing was explained, especially in regards to West and her decisions. There was no backstory, no development, no reasoning behind her actions. Become a trained assassin? Sure! Run away from her alt, even though she's been killing other ones for money no problem? Why not! I think her becoming a Striker was the worst part. Essentially they're assassins for hire, which is technically illegal. But somehow everyone still knows about them and even when West is noticed killing people, no one seems to care. I just don't understand why she decided to join them and why they even let her since she's only 15?! She's not described as being a great fighter but then somehow she is. Seriously what is going on with this book?

Another part that drove me crazy was her relationship with Chord. Definitely not enough backstory there because the set-up is supposed to be that they really like each other but West pushes away Chord for his safety. However, that's not how it comes across. It seems like the author was trying to push them together but it wasn't happening naturally. Therefore I didn't really care about either of them but was confused that Chord kept going back to her even after she ignores him and ditches him multiple times.

All I can say is: I have no interest in the sequel.

Rating: 4 out of 10.
FTC: bought (unfortunately)

2013/Random House/292 pages.

Waiting on Wednesday - 192

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine for bloggers and readers to see what new books are going to be released soon.

Please Remain Calm by Courtney Summers


In this gripping sequel to THIS IS NOT A TEST, Rhys and Sloane are headed for a safe haven when they get separated along the way. Rhys is determined to reunite with Sloane until he discovers people who might need him more--people who offer him the closest he'll get to everything he's lost, if they can just hold on long enough.

Rhys thinks he has what it takes to survive and find the girl he lost, but in a world overrun by the dead, there are no guarantees and the next leg of his journey will test him in unimaginable ways ... (from GoodReads)

Guys I totally did not expect there to be a sequel to This is Not a Test !!!! I'm so excited now. Please Remain Calm will be released January 15, 2015.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Summary:
Lyrical, imaginative, and wholly original, this New York Times bestseller with 8 starred reviews is not to be missed.  Rachel Hartman’s award-winning debut will have you looking at dragons as you’ve never imagined them before…
 
In the kingdom of Goredd, dragons and humans live and work side by side – while below the surface, tensions and hostility simmer. 

The newest member of the royal court, a uniquely gifted musician named Seraphina, holds a deep secret of her own. One that she guards with all of her being.

When a member of the royal family is brutally murdered, Seraphina is drawn into the investigation alongside the dangerously perceptive—and dashing—Prince Lucien. But as the two uncover a sinister plot to destroy the wavering peace of the kingdom, Seraphina’s struggle to protect her secret becomes increasingly difficult… while its discovery could mean her very life. (from GoodReads)

Review:
On paper, Seraphina should be the kind of book I don't like. I usually shy away from high fantasy because if the world building is less than stellar, I won't enjoy the book. And Seraphina is high fantasy in every conceivable way: dragons that take a human body, new vocabulary, an entirely made-up world. I loved every minute of it.

Rachel Hartman brings the world of Goredd to life. I'm still not sure of how everything works, but it felt like I was thrust into this new world and have to learn as I go along. Everything is so believable and well-done and thought-out. She has some imagination!

I also love the character of Seraphina. She was smart, talented (musically and otherwise), curious, strong, conflicted, sometimes rude, witty, loving, I could go on. She's definitely one of the more fleshed out and developed YA characters out there. The inner turmoil she feels about being half-dragon was so relatable, as I'm sure we've all felt like we've had to hide part of ourselves (though not to extent that Seraphina had to endure). Seraphina's struggle was very heartbreaking and Hartman does a wonderful job of relaying her emotions to the reader.

An important part of the novel is the hatred between dragons and humans, and the stereotyping, prejudice and bigotry that goes along with it. I could definitely see this as a metaphor for present day struggles. The book has the wonderful message of acceptance and tolerance that I'm sure people today could use.

I am so glad that the author is planning a sequel because I thoroughly enjoyed Seraphina and want to spend more time in this world! Too bad I have to wait until 2015!

Rating: 9 out of 10.
FTC: library.

2012/Random House/512 pages