Word Bookie

I love to read almost anything and I write short stories. I love a good plot and an even better villain. If you would like me to review your book(s) message me here or contact me on Twitter @Adriatic_sea

Along the lines of a Da Vinci Code mystery

The Secrets of Life and Death by Rebecca Alexander is the female author version of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code or any of his other amazing novels. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the character change with every chapter, much like how my previous review copy of The Good Suicides was organized. I think that it makes for a much better flow of information than perhaps a character change mid-chapter. Although sometimes that mid-chapter lane change is needed, it can get tiring throughout a novel. 

Professor Felix Guichard is involved in solving an interesting death of a young lady whom has symbols engraved in her skin. Professor Guichard believes they are linked back to Dr John Dee, the Elizabethan Alchemist and Occultist in Krakow.

This was a quick read and easy to understand; just in case you have had a previous issue with language and history from Brown's novels. Occult has always been a very interesting topic to write/read about both in fiction and non-fiction. Alexander goes into detail and I could feel exactly what the character was going through during the read. 

 

Link to Amazon is below for purchase!

 

http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Life-Death-Rebecca-Alexander/dp/0804140685 

 

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

first world problems: the struggle with not being able to have time to read...

I know, it sounds ridiculous that I should complain about no reading time. But I mean...I have had other obligations unfortunately. 

 

I am enjoying the book I am currently reading. I just have not been able to sit and say, "I am going to read this book and not do anything else."

 

Maybe Sunday after the rest of the Christmas festivities are over. 

 

Hope everyone had a great holiday and has a happy new year!!

 

Adria

Reblogged from Ned Hayes Writing:

Books are a uniquely portable magic...

 

from Ned Hayes.

Source: http://sinfulfolk.com

Too Many Books, Too Little Time...

The Secrets of Life and Death - Rebecca Alexander

Is it possible to have too many books but not enough time to read them all? 

 

I think so now that I have 20 more books added to my lovely (and overflowing) library nook. 

 

I am aching to finish The Secrets of Life and Death by Rebecca Alexander. It is delightful thus far and I am enjoying the back and forth of characters. It connects the time periods rather nicely!

 

I think next I will take a break from my B4B gig and start reading a juvenile or young readers book. I have soooo many to choose from, I am overjoyed! 

 

To be continued bookies...

 

My best,

Adria

 

 

NATIONAL READATHON DAY January 24, 2015 #maketimetoread

Whether you are just a reader/reviewer, own a bookstore, manage a library, etc, you can participate and encourage others to read on 1/24/15! 

 

This is a great fundraiser through the National Book Foundation Inc., GoodReads, Mashable, and Penguin Random House that focuses on the literacy rate in America . You can either donate to the campaign or start your own fundraising page as a group. 

 

The National Readathon Day event will begin at 12 noon and last until 4 p.m. on January 24th, 2014. 

 

Below are links to National Book Foundation Inc., Penguin Random House, Mashable, GoodReads, as well as the fundraiser's main page:

 

National Book Foundation, Presenter of the National Book Awards

 

http://www.nationalbook.org/ 

 

 

http://global.penguinrandomhouse.com/ 

 

empowering passionate nonprofit supporters to raise more money than ever thought possible

 

http://www.firstgiving.com/10658 

 

Goodreads: Book reviews, recommendations, and discussion

https://www.goodreads.com/ 

 

Header_logo.v2.us.dark

 

http://mashable.com/category/mashreads/ 

Books That Go Bump in the Night: Creepy YA Gothic Reads

Reblogged from Quirk Books:
 
Horror, science fiction, fantasy, suspense—all these categories came from Gothic literature. I devour 18th and 19th-century Gothic literature, from Shelley and Bronte to Poe, Dickens to Lovecraft, and all the neo-Gothic works today like Susanna Clarke and Michael Cox and Diane Setterfield. Several YA authors are embracing neo-Gothic literature and sharing retellings of famous Gothic works or incorporating elements of Gothic literature—like terror, horror, transgression, and Byronic heroes—into their stories.
 
I could go on for ages, but then I’d just recap my graduate thesis.
 
This Halloween (this autumn and winter, really—let’s be honest, the dark months are the best months for horror!), curl up in your biggest, comfiest chair, turn out all the lights save for one, and immerse yourself in these chilling reads.

 

 
UNKNOWN OBJECTS (STAY AWAY FROM THESE GHOSTS)
 
Say Her Name by James Dawson: A rare gem—I’ll be surprised if you can find it in a bookstore—that has such a creepy twist on the Bloody Mary legend. This can easily be visualized into a movie. Never mess around with ghost stories and legends, folks. You don’t really want to find out if it’s legit. 
 
Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell: Mitchell’s short southern ghost story is perfect for fireside reading and chilly camping trips. It has all the elements you could ever want—Ouija boards, unexplainable messages written on mirrors, and things that go bump in the night. If you don’t believe in ghosts now, just wait!
 
The Girl From the Well by Rin Chupeco: When I first saw this book, I thought, “Oh! Scary title, cool cover, what’s this about?” A girl from the well—ohgod The Ring!—who is dead and murders murderers—sounds like Dexter, only as a ghost!—and involves a thrilling, mysterious race into Japan—ohgodohgod The Grudge! No! Oh GOD. By the end of the blurb it promises to be exactly that. And let me tell you…you don’t want to go near any wells after this.
 
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson: Jack the Ripper, 1888. Scary enough, right? Now imagine that happening all over again today. Same locations, same style, same dates and times. You’d think law enforcement would be able to catch the murderer now, what with the advancement in forensics and CCTV cameras nailed to every building in London. But that’s not possible. The stakes are higher, and ghosts soon begin to feel all too real, too close for comfort.
 
NEVER VISIT THESE HOMES
 
The Dead of Winter by Chris Priestly: Think Woman in Black meets YA. Creepy Victorian setting—heck, it even opens in a graveyard scene!—mixed with a child who can see poltergeists, an elderly man haunted by his past, and his sister out for revenge and family wealth. Superbly creepy, and a perfect stepping-stone to Dickens and Collins.
 
Amity by Micol Ostow: Are you thinking Amityville? Good. It’s inspired by that. Throw in some Stephen King horror, parallel voices, and approval from the Bram Stoker jury and you’re set for one thrill of a ride.
 
Long Lankin by Lindsey Barraclough: I am of the opinion the book jacket for this needs to be rewritten. In fact, no summary can be written that fully explains just how eerie, creepy, frightening, and deep this book is. Though the characters are around 10 years old, this is most certainly not a book I would give a 10-year-old. Throw in post-WWII English lifestyles, family curses dating back centuries, priest holes and abandoned graveyards, and an unsettling folklore song, and you’ve got yourself a story that will keep you far from manor houses for months. (And possibly pianos. And singing “Three Blind Mice.” Just no. No no no.)
 
Fiendish by Brenna Yovanoff: This contains some fantastic supernatural elements and magic—a distancing for the reader that both works to amplify the creepiness as well as bring the chilling mystery and suspense closer to home. It harkens back to those classic Gothic books—Mysteries of Udolpho and The Monk—so prepare yourself for some strange occurrences!
 
 
FEAR THE UNKNOWN
 
The Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shepherd: This YA retelling of H.G. Wells’s The Island of Dr. Moreau is frightening not for its location—though a remote island filled with half-human half-animal beasts running around the jungle certainly brings about a LOST-like intense desire to escape—but for its commentary on humans versus animals, humans versus God. What scared Wells’s readers then can still scare us today.
 
The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle: The best, most underrated vampire book ever. Ohmigosh. It’s like Dracula meets the Black Plague. The only ones safe from this contagion are those within holy ground. Every second Katie steps out of her Amish community will fill you with dread—the suspense is endless and your stomach will be in knots.
 
Through the Woods by Emily Carroll: Fantastic! A collection of stories by one author—check! Written entirely in a graphic novel format—check! And, bonus, the words and the colors evoke such chilling descriptions all on their own, that sometimes they provide enough of a thrill without a story. Need to heighten the tension? Stretch the words you want emphasized, give them the proper color. Words never looked so frightening.
 
Reading books that frighten us can tell us so much about our culture, our definition of fear, and what scares us most in ourselves. We find pleasure in fear, and such juxtaposition is beyond comprehension; we ignore the paradox, enjoy the stories and the emotions they evoke, and share these stories with friends. Pick your way through the YA section during these darker months and discover those Gothic books you know your heart calls out to. They’re everywhere.

"You fucking bitch..."

Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn

Now that may be a strong title to this review but if you have also read Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, you are probably feeling the same way as I am. Upset, maybe even speechless. Mind. Is. Blown. (cue the nuclear explosion sound byte)

 

This novel as written beautifully; I don't think I could have written anything better myself. There goes my writing career! Just kidding...

 

Gone Girl should be what all crime authors strive for- mind games, explicit content, and a fantastic villain. The bad guy is always important, in my opinion.

 

I will admit, it was sort of slow in the beginning despite Amy being missing within the first few pages of reading. But of course the author has to get through all of the backstory and Nick and Amy's life together.... blah blah blah.

 

Yet, that whole backstory is why you need to pay attention as a reader. Why are Amy's diary entries so important? Why does Nick lie so much to the police? Where the hell is Amy? The reader ends up asking the same questions that the media does while on Nick and Amy's doorstep during the investigation. What I love about Flynn's writing style is that she made me change who my favorite character was almost every other chapter. Now that is commitment to character.

 

Absolutely go read Gone Girl! Go read this novel even if you already saw Ben Affleck star in the movie! I have heard that the ending is different in the movie versus the book. Once I see the movie, I will definitely have another review to compare against this one.

 

5 out of 5 stars. Hands down.

 

Adria

Reading progress update: I've read 219 out of 415 pages.

Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn

Oh My God!!! I know I am late in reading this book, but really?!? Mind is blown. I have only read the first few paragraphs of Amy's diary entry after BOY MEETS GIRL Part 2- What!?!?!?! 

 

More to come...

 

Adria

Reading progress update: I've read 90 out of 415 pages.

Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn

So far, I am loving it! Nick is a very interesting character and I can't stand Amy. She is too perfect. We will see how this ends. I heard the ending of the movie is different...

 

Adge

Ruby- Not my cup of tea, Mama. Reading progress update: I've read 50%.

Ruby: A Novel - Cynthia Bond

I was encouraged to read Ruby for my next review by a dear colleague of mine, and I had high hopes especially since I take her wisdom and knowledge of literature seriously and with an open mind. Knowing that she and I may not have the same interests in literature, I am always up for reading something new. I took a chance with Ruby.

 

I want to start with the negatives before the positives because my opinion should not overshadow the author’s talents.

 

I am not a fan of much time period novels, mostly because I am a 90s kid and stuck in the modern mentality of proper English. The dialogue between Ephram and Celia made me cringe; I enjoyed the descriptive paragraphs of the landscape and the tragedy that struck the Jennings family. That is the biggest reason why I could not finish the novel.

 

On the bright side, the plot was solid, from what I was able to read through. Ruby intrigued me and perhaps her character might aid in my trying to finish reading the entire novel once I have time and the patience to actually indulge in her character. Ephram Jennings is quite interesting as well, for his sister he calls Mama, as if he is grasping for that mother figure as a grown man.

 

Overall, Cynthia Bond opened up a new time and place that my imagination has never ventured to. Although I lost my patience with the dialogue, this does not mean that the plot was not executed the way it needed to be.

 

I received this book for free from Blogging For Books for this review.

Reading progress update: I've read 100%.

The Good Suicides - Antonio Hill

If you're going to commit suicide, it might as well be good.

The Good Suicides - Antonio Hill

Antonio Hill thrills readers with The Good Suicides with page-turning twists and just enough background information to make you want to know more! 
Hill uses many character's who you would not believe would be connected. Hector Salgado, an inspector/detective of the sort, is faced with a suicide of Sara, a very quiet, independent woman. Not to mention he is dealing with the disappearance of his estranged wife that no one can seem to figure out. While investigating a large cosmetics company who seems to know more about Sara's suicide than they let out, Hector must figure out where the dogs come in to the investigation. And who is sending the picture of them hanging, dead, from a tree to Sara before she killed herself? 
A very beautifully written thriller that I could not put down! If you are one who is into mystery/thriller and wants to solve a case just as much as the characters do, then absolutely pick up this novel. Very good insight on how the world views suicide and how the mind works. 

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review. 

The Many Tan Lines of Beach Reading and How to Avoid Them-TAKEN FROM QUIRK

Reblogged from Quirk Books:
 
Image via Tumblr
 
It's about that time to hit the beach, and is there anything better than sitting near the ocean, listening to the waves roll in and drinking something cold while you read under the warm sun? 
 
Alright, don't answer that. I realize many readers are the "read while listening to the rain with a warm cuppa" type, and that's alright. But we're not talking about rain clouds - it's summer! Bring on the sun! BBQ! Picnics! Sun burns! 
 
Readers face some unique and specific challenges when it comes to enjoying a book in the sun. It's a question of how to do it while avoiding the scenarios I'll describe below, all to which I've personally fallen victim to at least once. If you're headed to the beach with a book sometime this summer, be sure to change up your reading position often in order to avoid these sun burn patterns (a.k.a. Reader Tan Lines):
 
The Thigh Square: When seated in a position such that you're resting your book on your thighs as you read, you run the risk of getting the sort of tan line a pair of shorts would give you, except it'll only be visible from the front. No tan lines at the sides or back of your thighs to match make this one kind of awkward. 
 
The Two-Face: There are a few ways to get the Two-Face look when it comes to tan lines. Maybe you're laying down with your head to the side, holding your book out with one arm. Maybe you're reclining and holding the book to the side while the sun isn't directly overhead. Maybe you're lying down with your head straight, but holding your book overhead with two hands, earning you the Horizontal Two-Face, where only the top or bottom half of your face gets the sun burn. Whatever the case may be - beware! It's a fate worse than the reverse raccoon-eyes look from wearing sunglasses. 
 
The One-Sleeve: When laying on your side, the effects of the Two-Face tan extend from head to toe. Make sure you turn over often, if only to give the arms you're propping yourself up with a rest. That should be a rather good indicator it's time to cook on the other side a bit.
 
The Glowing Triceps: Prefer to read belly-down, propped up on your forearms? That's all well and good, and you're sure to have applied some sunscreen on your shoulders and back, but don't neglect the triceps, lest you curse the gods old and new for several days in the shower henceforth. 
 
The Neck Burn: The last important bit of skin I'll highlight here is the back of your neck. Even if your hair is kind of long, you'll still get those UV rays while you're bent over that summer romance novel, so do take care. 
 
Joking aside, here are three quick tips for protecting yourself against the sun. Take it from me, I'm from the tropics:
 
1. The clouds do not protect you from the sun's rays, so you should still wear a bit of sunscreen when you'll be outside for long periods on a cloudy day - any time of the year.
 
2. Reflective surfaces, such as sand, snow, and concrete, serve to bounce the rays of the sun much in the same way mirrors bounce light. You may be on the receiving end of the sun's damaging rays even if you're in the shade. By the way, if you think being in the water shields you from the sun, you're dead wrong. 
 
3. It's important to apply sunscreen well before you begin frolicking outside. Apply your first coat a good half an hour before you get to the beach, and again while in the shade upon arrival.  And reapply often. If your goal is to tan a little, I still suggest using sunscreen. You'll get there. 
 
Enjoy your summer, and avoid sun burns!
Source: http://quirkbooks.com/post/how-tuesday-many-tan-lines-beach-reading-and-how-avoid-them
Fireflies - P.S. Bartlett

From beginning to end, this début novel from PS Bartlett has the reader on the edge of their seat. Although historical fiction is not my go-to genre, this was a great read!

 

I love when a book grabs your attention in the first chapter, and meeting sweet and innocent Ennis to start is the way I would have chosen to start this story as well.

 

A mix between a coming of age story with a paranormal/spiritual side, any reader can relate to this novel! Bartlett spoke beautifully with her writing, allowing us to put the character's shoes on and take a walk.

 

Ennis Whelan is a little boy of 6 and is really something special. As the Whelan family of 1,2,3,4...9 learns how unique he really is, Ennis seems more and more like a mature young man with an outlook on life most people would dream of. Obstacles get in the family's way and the only way to find out if they overcome it is to read more and more!

 

Could Ennis be the savior for the Whelan family? Or could he hold the greatest tragedy that they will endure in the palm of his hands? To find out, purchase Fireflies at one of the links below!

http://www.amazon.com/Fireflies-ebook/dp/B00C37QHQY/ref=sr_sp-atf_image_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372630525&sr=1-1&keywords=ps+bartlett+fireflies 

Source: http://www.amazon.com/Fireflies-ebook/dp/B00C37QHQY/ref=sr_sp-atf_image_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372630525&sr=1-1&keywords=ps+bartlett+fireflies

book words-re blogged from Ned Hayes Writing

Reblogged from Ned Hayes Writing:
amandaonwriting:    Bookish Words

amandaonwriting: Bookish Words

Source: http://sinfulfolk.com

Giveaway Central!

I have been receiving quite a few giveaways from BookLikes and the creators of the contests! I cannot wait to read everything and write reviews or even just post about them! I love reading so much and unfortunately I have not had enough time to read given my work weeks. 

 

I am almost finished Fireflies, by P.S. Bartlett, and I love it! I am so intrigued by the historical background and how the plot is unfolding with each page. 

 

Thank you to whoever is out there taking a look at my page and being patient with my absence. I will create a better schedule once work dies down. 

 

Stay tuned!

 

Adria 

Currently reading

The Big Kitty
Claire Donally
The Wrath and the Dawn
Renee Ahdieh
Progress: 20/416 pages