Review: Lexapros and Cons by: Aaron Karo

Goodreads Summary: 


Chuck Taylor’s OCD has rendered him a high school outcast. His endless routines and habitual hand washing threaten to scare away both his closest friend and the amazing new girl in town. Sure he happens to share the name of the icon behind the coolest sneakers in the world, but even Chuck knows his bizarre system of wearing different color “Cons” depending on his mood is completely crazy.

In this hilariously candid debut novel from comedian Aaron Karo—who grew up with a few obsessions and compulsions of his own—very bad things are going to happen to Chuck. But maybe that’s a good thing. Because with graduation looming, Chuck finds himself with one last chance to face his inner demons, defend his best friend, and win over the girl of his dreams. No matter what happens, though, he’ll have to get his hands dirty.






My Review: 

ReadingNook Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Chuck Taylor is unlike any other YA character i've ever read. He's cynical and real and I felt like I was really inside a teenage boys head the whole time I read it especially certain parts (aka the first line of the book). Theres simply not enough YA books with a male main character, either that or I'm just not reading them.

I loved Chucks character he was a bit nerdy but in the cutest way possible, you felt for chuck and his best friend, and the nerdiness that ensued between the two of them. I loved that Chucks OCD wasn't a woe is me situation. He struggled but learned to cope with it, the emotions and reactions he had felt real and not forced like many books dealing with mental illness feel like to me. OCD and any psychological disorders is an important topic to discuss in YA books, because although its not talked about very openly many teens and adults deal with anxiety and depression and many other psychological disorders. I love that Aaron Karo's POV was so real and he didn't romanticize it or make it this huge catastrophy.

Chucks love interest with the new girl Amy was so freakin' cute, I love that he loved her and that she loved him back. It was super swoon-worthy and made you root for Chuck even more that he would get the girl in the end (NO, i'm not telling you if he does, this is a spolier-free review)

All I have to say is that Aaron Karo's debut novel needs more praise because this was a fantastic book. The book was humourous, fun, at times sad, and just gripping from the very first line (ummm yes the FIRST line) Aaron Karo is definitely an author to keep an eye out for, and this is a book you definitely need to get your hands on.

Waiting on Wednesday (20)

Goodreads Summary:




Lydia Bentley has heard stories about the Montauk Project all her life: stories about the experiments that took place at the abandoned military base near her home and the people who’ve disappeared over the years. When she stumbles into a vessel that transports her to a dangerous and strange new reality, Lydia realizes that all the stories she’s ever heard about the Montauk Project are true—and that she’s in the middle of one of the most dangerous experiments in history. 

Alongside Wes, a darkly mysterious boy whom she is wary to trust, Lydia begins to unravel the secrets surrounding the project. But the truths behind these secrets force her to question all her choices. And if Lydia chooses wrong, she might not save her family but destroy them... and herself.






Expected Publication Date: July 10th, 2012
Preorder: HERE!!

Why I Cannot Wait For This Book:  This just sounds like NOTHING i've ever read. It sounds dystopian but also post-apocoliptic and mysterious. This book sounds right up my alley as far as books I love to read, and can't wait to get my hands on this one.

Guest Post w/ Kathy Lynn Harris

What I’m Reading When I’m Not Writing

Thank you, Laura, for hosting me here on your wonderful site this week. I really appreciate it and look forward to connecting with some (or many!) of your readers.

When I was smack-dab in the middle of thinking about what to write about for my guest post here this weekend, a friend and I had a conversation via email about what we were each reading. Now, I’m a HUGE fan of contemporary fiction and rarely do I stray too far from what I love. It’s not unusual for me to be reading three or four novels at one time, even when I’m busy writing and dreaming up my own fictional characters. So my friend was surprised to hear that I wasn’t reading any fiction at all right now.

Why? Well, because I’m busy promoting Blue Straggler, my contemporary women’s fiction novel. And when I’m out talking about the book, I need to be firmly in the world and characters I created way back when I was writing the story. But more importantly, I need the confidence to encourage folks to give my novel a try. In other words, I need to feel good about pimping out my own work. (Yes, I just used “pimping” in a guest post. Yeehaw!)

You see, if I were reading fiction, and it just happens to be mouth-watering good fiction, like, say, something by Pam Houston (Cowboys Are My Weakness is still so completely awesome) or Barbara Kingsolver or Lorrie Moore, I’d have a really hard time pushing my own novel on people. There would be this very real, substantial risk that my writing self-esteem would be at or below sea level, and I’d end up at a Blue Straggler book signing event, turning people away and encouraging them to instead head directly to the nearest indie bookstore and pick up the wonderful novel that I’m currently reading. Seriously. I’m that not normal. In Texas, we call that shooting yourself in the foot.

So, now that you see my problem, let’s get back to what I am reading now, when I’m NOT writing and am intent on spreading the positive word about Blue Straggler.

According to my Kindle, I’m about 68 percent done with Anne Lamott’s new memoir, Some Assembly Required,which is her account of being a grandparent for the first time, when her son becomes a father at age 19. I love all things Lamott (Hard Laughter is one of my favorite novels … you should really check it out, if you haven’t.) This latest book is the chronicle of her grandson Jax’s first year of life. It’s wonderful (if you love and understand imperfect people), and as usual with Lamott’s work, I’ve laughed out loud several times. (By the way, did you know that some readers call Blue Straggler laugh-out-loud funny? And it has been rated #1 in comic fiction on Amazon? Oh yeah. I’m getting good at this publicity stuff.)

Another book I’m enjoying is more self-help than anything else — a genre that I purportedly gave up reading after my first mid-life crisis when I turned 30. (You can read about that in a blog post on my website, if you were interested.) But this book has kept me engaged and actually believing that I could change. (I can! I really can!) In fact, I’m actually reading this book over again, just to see if I can try to remember some of the good stuff for daily practice. The book, you ask? Bright Side Up: 100 Ways to Be Happier Right Now by Amy Spencer. It’s a pretty good book if you know you’re a pessimist but would really like to see the “up” side of things more regularly.

So there you have it. I would love to hear what everyone else out there is reading right now. But please, if it’s a can’t-put-it-down, juicy novel, don’t tell me about it until July.

 

Kathy Lynn Harris is the Author of Blue Straggler which is a chick-lit novel, to check out her book click Here!

CLNB Blog Tour: Recession Proof by: Kimberly S. Lin

Book Blurb:  

Sometimes going after what you want is the hardest thing you will ever do...

Meet Helen. Smart, successful and obliviously trapped. For the past six years, Helen has given her life and her heart to her cushy corporate finance job and to Mark without question. However as the Recession sweeps the Nation, she is one of many left unemployed and with the burning question of what does she really want in life.

RECESSION PROOF is a debut novel for anyone that has settled in their career and relationship but has discovered that what really matters in life is living it.

My Review: 

ReadingNook Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I haven't read a Chick-Lit book i've falled in love with this hard in a long time! I gave myself plenty of time before my tour date to read this because i've been reading slower then normal lately (reading slump, blah...) and wanted to prepare myself. This book is 350 pages and normally (if I wasn't that invested in the story) It could take me 4-5 days to read, well I read this book in all of two sittings. I got so engrossed in the story and the characters that I couldn't put the book down and the hours seemed to fly right by. 

This book had everything a good Chick-Lit should have; a strong female character, which is definitely the case with Helen, and a swoon-worthy love interest Nate ( oh swoon, swoon). I loved the relationship between the two of them and the twists and turns they faced and overcame as a couple. I enjoyed the fact that Helen really grew as a person in the novel and you were right there with her every step of the way.

If your looking for Chick-Lit at its finest, you need to check this book out. I'm so glad I was able to be a part of this tour, and for this being Kimberly's debut novel, I'm so excited to see what else she has in her writing arsonal. Her writing style was quirky, real, fun, and believable. I cannot rave about this book enough. It got me out of a pretty bad reading slump  and was just what I needed a book to be. (P.S. for all my YA-lovers out there this book is Anna and the French Kiss of the Chick-Lit genre)  

Contact links:

• Website: http://www.kimberlyslin.com/
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KimberlySLin
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/KimberlySLin
• Minted Magazine: http://www.mintedmag.com/

Buy Links:

• Amazon:
• eBook: http://www.amazon.com/Recession-Proof-ebook/dp/B005DI49L0
• Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Recession-Proof-Kimberly-S-Lin/dp/1463584520/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308836155&sr=1-1http://www.amazon.com/Recession-Proof-Kimberly-S-Lin/dp/1463584520/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308836155&sr=1-1
• Barnes & Noble
• eBook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/recession-proof-kimberly-s-lin/1104167965?ean=2940032958666&itm=1&usri=recession+proof+by+kimberly+s.+lin
• Paperback: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/recession-proof-daniel-maiman/1031681876
• Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/115208

In My Mailbox April 15th

IMM is a meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren where you show the books you've recieved over the week.. 




WON: 

Signed, Thanks to Cheryl Rainfield and a twitter giveaway

 Purchased: 

Purchased another copy because I lent it to a friend and never got it back :/ love the movie cover edition so much more though :)

What Did You Get In Your Mailbox??

Waiting on Wednesday (19)

Goodreads Summary: 


t’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually wantto live. But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside. When everything is gone, what doyou hold on to?




Expected Publication Date: June 19th from St. Martins Griffin
Preorder: HERE!!


Why I'm Waiting on This Book: This is by far one of my most anticipated books of 2012. The Walking Dead is my new favorite show and I cant get enough of zombies!! I CANNOT WAIT for this book and will be buying this on release date!! 

TBR Tuesday: Unearthly by: Cynthia Hand

After trying out a few different Memes on Tuesdays, I decided that this one was right up my alley. I have a huge TBR pile (pile isn't even really a word for it), So im going to feature books that are still patiently waiting on my shelves to be read. 

Goodreads Summary: 


In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

It's still on my TBR..... because.... I honestly don't have a logical reason. I was so excited for this books release and I picked it up shortly after the release date, and its been in quite a few monthly TBR's and for some reason it always ends up getting pushed aside. I still really want to read it, but its constantly being pushed aside for review books, and other new releases im dying to read!! 

Book Review: Flyaway by: Helen Landalf

Goodreads Summary: 


Stevie Calhoun knows how to take care of herself. It’s not like her mom hasn’t disappeared before. So why is Aunt Mindy making such a big deal of it now? It’s not like Mom’s really doing meth. Stevie makes sure of that.Whatever. She’ll go home with Aunt Mindy if it will keep her from calling Child Protective Services—but it doesn’t mean she’ll stay. Mom will come back. Mom always comes back. And Stevie will be there when she does. But when Stevie meets Alan—frustrating and fascinating and so-different-from-everyone-she-knows Alan—and she starts helping out at the bird rehab center, things begin to look different. Even the tutoring and the ridiculous outfits Aunt Mindy’s forcing her into might not be so bad. Not that Stevie would say it out loud. She can’t. Because how can anything be good if it doesn’t include Mom?








My Review:  

ReadingNook Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

I don't know what draws me to addiction type issue books, but this book was really good. It drew me right into the story, and It was a quick, fast-paced read.

Stevie is 15 and pretty much an adult in the respect that her mother is never around. She leaves Stevie home with no food, and no money for days at a time, Leaving Stevie to worry and wonder where her mother is. School is optional to Stevie and instead of going to class she waits around for a phone call from her mother to tell her where she is, or waiting for her to walk through the front door.


Stevie's aunt Mindy decides that Stevie is going to live with her or she's going to resort to calling child protective servies. Mindy informs Stevie that her mom is addicted to Meth and thats the reason why she's so absent even when she's around. Mindy hold an intervention for her sister which Stevie is completly against, and dosn't think her mom will react well too, but all seems to go well for the time being and she enters rehab, but will she succumb to the temptation as soon as she's home or will she finally remain clean?

This story was really heart-breaking. I really felt for Stevie, and couldn't imagine having a mother with such deep-set issues. It really is tragic that kids have to deal with such things. If you like issue-packed contemporaries then I definitely think you should pick this one up. It hasn't recieved a lot of attention, but I think it should, because it was a really well-written book.

Blog Tour Review Post: Oldsoul By: Dan Haring

Goodreads Summary:


Jason Gouvas doesn’t want to believe he has special abilities or that he's an Oldsoul-- a vessel for the souls of people who have passed away, but the dead girl in his mind can be very persuasive. 

Her name is Erin, and through her Jason is able to access the knowledge and skills of the souls within him. And with a group of power-hungry immortals bent on destroying the Oldsouls and overthrowing humanity, he's going to need them all.
















Preorder your copy: HERE!


My Review:

ReadingNook Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Oldsoul was unlike anything else i've read, which made me want to read it as soon as I read the premise for it. This book had a bit of a slow start for me, but I think it was due to trying to get the basics of the storyline across in a way that was understandable to the reader. I loved the characters in the book, and by far my favorites were Erin and Solon. They both were strong and well-developed characters and I enjoyed the roles they played in the story. The action-packed events made me want to keep reading, and was a fast read for me because I wanted to know what happened to Jason.

The only problem I had with the story was Jason and Melas' relationship. Right from the get-go Mela read like an older character, for some reason I pictured her in her fourties, and Jason is just a teenager. I obviously misinterpreted her character because she's not that old, but I couldn't really feel connected to their relationship because I felt it was under-developed, and just wasn't feeling it at all.

Overall, I really enjoyed OldSoul and liked Dan Haring's writing style. Its a strong debut for sure, and look forward to reading more from him in the future. I'm not sure if this book was intended to be a series or not, but I definitely think he can expand on this story and make something great!


This Blog Tour was Hosted by Krista @ The Cubicle Blindness. Check out her blog Here!! to check out the other blog tour stops, as well as book trailer and an interview with Author Dan Haring! 

Top Ten Tuesday -Books I Would Read in a Day

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish Every week focuses on a different topic and you make a top ten list from it! 


This week: My Top Ten Books To Read In A Day




1.) Anna and the French Kiss by: Stephanie Perkins

I stayed up very late into the early morning when I read this book, because I simply could not put it down. I kept saying ok one more chapter, one more chapter, until it was 5 am and had finished the book! 

2.) Slide by: Jill Hathaway

This book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time, I flew through the pages until the story was over, and I still craved more!! 

3.) Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes by: Denise Grover Swank

I read this book for a blog tour, and because of the density of the book, I gave myself plenty of time to read this before my post was due. Well, I ended up devouring this book in a day! It was soo soo good!! 

4.) Valley of the Dolls by: Jaqueline Susann

I'm not a big reader of classics, they just don't normally draw my attention, this one was recomended to me by a friend, and i'm glad I read this one I really enjoyed it. I don't know if I read this one in a day, but I definitely loved it. 

5.) The Gift by: Danielle Steel

This was one of my first Danielle Steel books that i've read, but I absolutly LOVED it, and made my mom, grandmother, and aunts read this as well!! It was such a heartwarming story and again I flew through the pages. 

6.) The Fault in Our Stars by: John Green

This book was probably one of the most heartbreaking, and inspiring stories i've ever read. I loved this, and to be completly honest I didn't know what all the hype about John Green was until I read this book. 

7.) Night Swimming by: Robin Schwartz

Doing this top ten tuesday made me rediscover this book. I honestly don't even remember exactally what it was about, just that I absolutly loved this book!!! I def. need to find my copy or get a new one for a re-read! 

8.) Hatchet By: Gary Paulsen

I included this book in here because this is one of the books that made me fall in love with reading at a young age, and I do fully intend on reading this book. 

9.) Charlie St. Cloud by: Ben Sherwood 

I still have yet to watch this movie, but I know I loved this book, def. a one sit kind of read! 

10.) Goodnight Tweetheart by: Teresa Medieros

This book wasn't a 5-star book for me in fact I only gave it a 3 but its told in tweets, so it was a really quick and fun read!! 

Kids Korner: Alice in Wonderland and Jane Eyre by: Jennifer Adams

I've never reviewed a childrens book before so bare with me, but I agreed to review this book and a similar one because the artwork completely drew me in. When im a parent one day I fully intend to pass my love of reading onto my children and hopefully I will succeed in that. This book is beautiful and simple. While its a basic learning your colors book. The pages seem to come to life with the art and details of it. The pictures come to life on the pages and I know that any young child would be stimulated by all the multiple colors and pictures that are within these pages. I loved it!! 

ReadingNook Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The artwork in this book is stunning, I was drawn right into this numbers book because its loosely based off the classic Jane Eyre. It teaches children to count with items that relate to the popular Jane Eyre. The colors and artwork comes to life on the pages and I'm sure it would stimulate children of any age that pick up this book. The details in every page are well executed and you can tell a lot of thought went into every page. I love these books for kids and can't wait to share them with my kids one day... ReadingNook Rating: 4 out of 5 stars *This is my first time posting childrens books reviews on my blog, and its not usually something I do, or plan on doing a lot, but let me know what you think in the comments below, and maybe I will feature some more often because I had a lot of fun doing it!

IMM March Edition