50 Shades of Gray & Friends with Partial Benefits

     I can't say everyone has read them BUT I'm sure everyone has heard of the infamous E.L. James’ 50 Shades of Grey. Yes, I've read all of them including Grey. Please don't let this admission to reading and enjoying erotic fiction sway the rest of my review. I read everything! I did enjoy this series not because of the amazing plot structure or the authors hidden messages conveyed throughout the series.  It's a series book…that should tell you this will be an easy and fun read.  James does deliver that and then some. Yes, the book frequently gets erotic, especially the first book, believe me it will have you questioning your own inner desires.  Oh, but the love story that happens throughout all three books, will keep you turning the pages. I enjoyed this because I was captivated by Miss Steele’s and Mr. Grey’s story—oh the vocabulary used throughout the book was enjoyable, but I love big words. The last installment, told through Mr Grey’s view, was a nice after thought—leaves you wanting more. The movie was just a tease, if you've seen the movie and haven't read the book you're missing out. This is a series I think most should give s try…if it gets too steamy for you—skim over it!
    So there's a reason I talked 50 Shades first…I hadn't picked up another erotic novel since Grey(talking years here)—they're not my cup of tea. What?! Hard to believe but true. So last week I tried giving this genre another chance with Luke Young’s Friends with Partial Benefits. I've done a little research and there are several books in this series, with pretty decent reviews. I don't know maybe I'm what's wrong, but I'm not even sure I'll finish this series out. The book worm in me is telling me I need to but...I'm in no rush. The first book is offered free on several formats. This book was like reading a script for those dirty late night Cinemax movies—that's why I researched it. I seriously thought I somehow downloaded a naughty movie script.  The storyline was way too predictable and just a little too corny for my taste—this is coming from a “cat lady” who tears up daily on cat humor. I can take a lot of corny but this book really was too much. Apparently there's even a YouTube reproduction of it…go figure. I haven't seen it. The storyline line is your newly wronged divorcee who ends up falling for her college aged son’s friend who conveniently was in their “older” 20’s. The whole age thing didn't even bother me, it was the just the over all writing. If you couldn't handle 50 Shades forget this series. If you need more steam this may fit your bill. Maybe I'll try something else by Young but until then….
Laters Baby ;)

Why book reviews?

   I find that reading is my hobby. Why? Sure people read all the time, you've got the people who read the newspapers or the devoted celeb gossips magaziners. But, as for myself, I read to read--to see what hidden story lies beneath those pages. Some only read horror, romance, or non-fiction. I read anything and everything...even if I don't like it. This is why I claim reading as my hobby, because it is. I read when I have a few extras minutes to myself, when I should be doing other things, or when life has been crappy--I'm reading. So with that said....you will find reviews of books I'm reading and what I thought about them. Agree or disagree...I invite you to leave comments if you've read what I've written. Maybe you just need a new book to read...hope the reviews give you some guidance...happy reading!

"Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.”

― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars  

 

Never Let Me Go, If I Stay, Living Dead Girl

     The following books are little on the dark side. I'm not talking about horror or suspenseful but dark in the sense that it deals with the unfairness that sometimes happens in life, the reality that sometimes our destines our way out of our control and understanding, that one minute you may be trucking along happily until you've found yourself in heap of dog poop. I first want to mention Ian McEwans' Atonement only because the book I'm going to mention played with many of the same themes that Atonement did. Another book made into a movie, as you're watching the previews you think--another love story where war and social class is going to keep these two lovers apart--but this is story that goes beyond that. This is a real  life love story, about how sometimes the human mind can overreact and prejudge others based on appearances and because it's simply easier to believe the obvious. I don't want to give too much away, in case any of my readers haven't read it, I don't want to spoil it. But, do know that you won't find the happy ending you're looking for or want; just like in Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go. This doesn't feel like a love story at the beginning, but it is. It reminded me so much of Atonement as I read it. How a few small actions panned out the paths for these individuals to follow or go down. It has it's sci-fi feel to it, because it plays with the concept of cloning people for the use of other people. Never Let Me Go starts slow as it introduces you to the characters and the plot, but you can't help becoming intrigued by these people's future, will they get their chance of happiness? I think this has been made into a movie as well, so if you want something a little darker but in the romance field try this book or movie. I have not seen the movie, so I don't know if it follows the book as well.
   Death, another dark theme some people don't always jump into when picking out a book. The Lovely Bones has become very popular recently due to the movie making, but if you've read it or seen the movie and can get over the concept that a dead girl is telling the story, then Gayle Forman's If I Stay is a good follow-uper. Have you ever come across a fork in the road or more importantly in life? Who hasn't???!!! If you haven't, I think you're lying to yourself....As adult's how hard is it to decide something that can change the whole course of your life, now imagine if you were on the brink of adulthood; when you're just starting to realize who you really are and where you want to go in life. Life is good at throwing curve balls when you don't need them, but somehow you live through it or survive it, and sometimes making those tough life decisions are going to cause you pain. Pain?! You're thinking why would anyone want to choose something that is going to cause pain to yourself, but it happens. When we get a cavity, we get it fixed. Sure, it's a little painful, but the overall end results leaves us pretty happy. Life decisions can be that way too. If I Stay is a really quick read and good story that centers on choosing those hard life choices because life is hard, life is not easy and it wasn't meant to be that way. 
  Elizabeth Scott's Living Dead Girl, I'm not sure how I feel about that book. I read it and felt shell shocked. This book is a young adult book too. It's a disturbing story is the best way I can put it without giving the story away. I read it fast, just because I needed to know what would happen at the end and it's short. Maybe, it would sit well with the young youth of today, because they're growing up with many horrors that I never had to. I think many young people would like this story and easily relate to that character--having to be forced or the feeling of being forced to do things that you don't want to do. The ending was not what I was looking for, but I'm glad the character did find their freedom. If you pick up this book, just be warned you may not like the direction it takes you. I still haven't decided if I like this book or not. Happy reading...

The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well--R.W. Emerson

                 

Stephen King: The Green Mile, Desperation, Under The Dome, & Salem's Lot

Stephen King. He’s not everyone’s cup of tea, I’ll just say that right off the bat. But, Mr. King is a really good writer. He knows how to tell a story and get his reader hooked—no matter how weird his story line goes. I think that Mr. King’s plan; get you hooked to the characters, so that when the story line goes off key you’re still going to read it, no matter how unrealistic the story line may be.

I recently read The Green Mile. No, I haven’t seen the movie; I think I’m the only one too. But, the book was really good. Mr. King has a way of presenting his characters in way that makes you see them as real people. He makes his characters as human as he can. You understand how that character feels or even acts under the situations they encounter. He writes about real people who face real everyday things in life…but he throws in several sci-fi story elements to spice up their lives. Like this story, a normal guy working his job, a job he may not be fully happy with but someone has to do it, until one day by chance, fate, or destiny? Someone new enters the scene and changes everything he holds to be true.
     I’d already been a fan of Mr. King’s work before The Green Mile; when I starting reading Desperation which follows a family on a vacation gone wrong. King of course throws in your sci-fi plot twist to keep you reading. Ask yourself, when put under the right "life stressors", what would you do?  
     Under the Dome is another thriller and will probably have you biting your nails till the end. It’s your typical story of good vs. evil, but with a sci-fi twist. Once again, Mr. King brings life to his characters in this story so that you want to finish the story and you find yourself rooting for the good guy. Mr. King takes a small community/town and shows what might just happen to people when they’ve been put under unusual circumstances and stress.
     Salem’s Lot also plays with small town life. If you were a fan of Dracula, you’ll definitely like this book—this is not Twilight vampires. But, what makes Mr. King’s stories good or worth reading isn’t the weird sci-fi story lines (yeah they make for interesting plot) it’s how he can mold his characters into real people you care about and how they end up. He takes what makes humans human and puts them to the test under the unusual circumstances they may encounter in their everyday life. Would you crumble under pressure and go against everything you know to be wrong, or would sacrifice your life or the life others to do what is right at the end of the day? That’s what I end up thinking as I read his stories. How would I act? Would I have acted like that character or that one? What would I have done differently to avoid those situations? What would any of us do, if we were put under any of those situations? That’s the real question, what would mankind do, if given the chance to face those life changing moments? Would we disappoint ourselves or make ourselves proud? So, if you ever want to try something new, give Stephen King a try. His movies are okay, but so far his books are way better.


                     

Kate DiCamillo: The Talke of Despereaux & The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Kate DiCamillo. I'll admit when I heard her name surface, I was a little skeptical about her writing. I'm a huge Harry Potter, Jane Austen, Shakespeare, and Judy Blume fan. So, I find my tastes for reading can be really picky or when it comes to reading, I sometimes judge quickly about authors before giving them a chance. What I lack when it comes to judging other people, I do when it comes to reading. I've recently learned that I need to give all authors a chance. But, back to this DiCamillo character. I heard about her, due to her book made into a movie, The Tale of Despereaux. I was already making assumptions, for some reason, I had this idea that all authors who let the movie industry make their books into movies are schmucks!!! I've changed that idea, now I look it at as a way for authors to bring their love for writing and even reading to people in format they enjoy just as much as their writing. My teacher mind, sees now that to get people to read, you've got to entice them. What better way than a movie? So I was skeptical about the movie, but I watched it. I found myself enjoying it, not because of the cute little mouse, but the story itself wasn't a bad one. Who doesn't love an underdog becoming a hero and wins the girls at the end story??!!! I also picked up the book, decided to give it a try. I was pleased, this was YAL literature (Young Adult Literature), but it played with some grown up ideas and emotions. No wonder children and young adults liked the story and movie so much. This story captivates what I think all people secretly want, love and to be loved back. You may think, reality isn't like that, no one finds that kind of happiness, but how do you honestly know??!! Think about that.
     I was really pleased with Ms. DiCamillo, so I decided to give her another chance. I just read, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and I found it just as charming, if not better then the story of Despereaux. Here is a story that really gives way to how love and life sometimes have a way of not going the way we plan. How one has to choose to live a life with love or without love, despite the hurt that comes with love. The themes that run across this book are very real to life and it makes you wonder, what do young minds think as they read this piece of literature. It doesn't surprise me, that Ms. DiCamillo is highly looked upon as an author. Her audience may be for young readers, but her work is for all ages to enjoy. If you haven't read something by her yet, give her a try. It's very light reading, that leaves you feeling happy and at peace.