My Year in Books....(thank you Goodreads lol)

My favorite book of the Year: The Bookman's Tale by Charlie Lovett

 

Favorite Series I read this year: The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness 

Currently Reading: Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward

I am currently reading the seventh book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by the wonderful J.R. Ward. Here is the synopsis: 

Rehvenge is used to living in the shadows and dealing with the roughest night walkers around—including the Black Dagger Brotherhood. As his secret identity as a sympath is threatened, he turns to the only light in his ever darkening world—a female vampire untouched by corruption, who’s the only thing standing between him and eternal damnation.

First impression: (I am 15 chapters in) 

I am pretty impressed with Rev's story so far. We are finally seeing Lash's betrayal unfold. Of course, there is one big thing that is plaguing me and I am wondering how John Matthew's seeing Lash alive is going to play out. I think he is keeping that particular secret. There have been a few surprises in this book so far. Finally Wrath; the king of the vampires, is back in on the action. And Phury is making a comeback as well. I still have a lot of story to make it through but I am

Excited for this book. My plan is to have it completely read by New Years Eve.  

Dark and Light Casters, Incubus', Siren's and Waywards: The Bookbabe Review of Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

I am a huge fan of this series and have read the previous three books however, the last book took me months to read. I put it down several times and read several other books over this one. I think what made it difficult for me to get through was that I was not as committed to the story line as I had been in the past. Usually slumps like this happen in the third book of the series but with this one it happened at the end of the series. 

It was not all bad though; I did love the return to Gatlin and the crew, consisting of Lena, Link, and Ridley. Though Ridley does not really play a huge part in this book. I will say that Stohl and Garcia did tie up the ends nicely and does not really leave much room for returning to the characters in the future. Though Link and Ridley are in a separate series; which I will most likely read, because I am interested in seeing how Ridley's character develops. 

I did also enjoy the killing off of Abraham. It just needed to happen; though I wanted it to be a bigger more epic spectacle. You know like Harry taking on Voldermort in Deathly Hallows. Of course; I like the the book has a happy ending but I would have enjoyed it better if a beloved character would have lived in the end. Of course, the reason for her death is justified but it makes it no more less annoying. I will say that I do not regret reading the book at all. But I think it was just lacking something; and I think most of that came from the fact that Ethan was on a different plane of existence. I would definitely recommend the book to anyone who wishes to finish the series and to anyone looking for a different story involving witches. The story line of the books is very refreshing and original and over all the series is a quick read. 

I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars on Goodread.com

Quotes I loved:

“I smiled at her, but she was already lost in thought, looking around the library as if it held all the answers to all our problems.” 

“It was all so clear now. Like everything had been lost in darkness, and then the sun came out. Some moments are like that.” 

Adagio Fandom Teas Review

(Teas above are Jem Carstairs created by Auburn Kelton and Three Broomsticks created by Maddie W.)

As the months get a little colder, and the holidays approach I find myself in need of a nice cup of tea every evening. One of my good buddies, and fellow reader, Heidi M. Introduced me to Adagio teas. She recieved their "Cinderella" tea bags as part of her Owlcrate. She absolutely loved it and that made me want to hunt it down. Well, I ended up not purchasing that tea but purchasing several others. Among them were a Lemon Soliel black tea, Jasmine Pearl Green tea, and then these two amazing babies above. The Jem Carstairs tea is based on the character by Cassandra Clare (he is featured in The Infernal Devices series) this tea reminds me of Lady Earl Grey; which is one of my favorite teas. It's very smooth and light and has a beautiful fragrance. It does have a high level of caffeine so you will get a nice little buzz from it. This tea is one of many named for the Cassie Clare characters. I mainly picked this one because Jem is one of my favorite characters ever written. 

The next tea is Three Broomsticks; and any Harry Potter fan knows that the Three Broomsticks is only the best pub in Hogsmeade. I was extremely interested in this one because it recieved such amazing reviews. This tea has a very caramel taste, even without sugar. And it's scent is amazing. It is strong upon your first steeping but it mellows out upon a second brewing. This is a great morning tea, or mid afternoon tea. What I really loved about all of these teas is that I was able to reuse the leaves up to four times without losing any flavor or potency. Which in my opinion is a good sign of a high quality tea. I will definitely be back on the Adagio website after the holidays to order more tea! Of course any other fandom teas will be reviewed her as well. 

Here is a list of some of the other fandom teas is saw listed:

- Divergent

- Jane Austen

- Doctor Who

- Nightmare Before Christmas

- Edgar Allan Poe

- Jane Eyre 

- Harry Potter Characters

- Harry Potter Houses

And many many more! 

The BookBabe Reviews: Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward

I have to admit that this book was extremely hard for me to get through. It dragged a lot and I just could not commit to it the way I had with the other previous books in the series. Lover Enshrined brings (finally) to the story and history of Phury. Phury is the brother that we all wanted to know the most about; well that I wanted to know the most about. He had a bit of a mystery surrounding him. Finally we get some of the answers to our burning questions but we also get a front row seat to a very heartbreaking saga. Phury's story is filled with a lot of pain,  which I am happy to say does end in happiness. What I found the most amazing about this book is that Phury came across is the most "human" of the brothers. His pain was the most realistic, his struggles all to real. What I loved about this story is that we got a little bit of a twist about the Omega. We find out that he has a son; born of a vampire, that has been living among the vampires. This twist left me guessing because I thought I knew exactly who the "son" was, but I was surprisingly mistaken. I can not wait to see how Ward advances this part of the storyline. At the end of the book we are softly introduced to Payne, the daughter of the Scribe Virgin and the Sister of V. of course, I have an odd feeling that Payne is going to be a headache in the books to come. I will say that even for the slowness of the book it had its fair share of action; and of course, I will return to the series again (in the New Year) this time with Lover Avenged.   

Quotes I enjoyed:

“What brings you onto my property?" Rhev said, cradling his mug with both hands trying to absorb its warmth.
Got a problem"
I can't fix your personality"

"Get off the cross, someone else needs the wood" 

Overall rating of the book 3.5 stars on Goodreads.com! 

Oh my...I am reading Manga!

On first glance this is just your typical manga/comic. Nothing really extraordinary about that; however, it is based on the Dark Hunter Series by Sherrilyn Kenyon. Thanks to my beautifully bookish friend Lauren, I was "told" to give Sherrilyn a shot. So lady week I made my way to the book store and picked up book one of the Dark Hunter series and I just added it to my TBR pile. Let did I know but the manga was available on Scribd (a service I highly recommend); so I was like what the hell. It will be a quick read and will allow me to see if the books are really worth my time. Well I was pleasantly surprised. The novels are Paranormal Romance; so you can except a fair amount of sex. But the manga, mainly due to the medium, hints at the sex and keeps to the action. Which I LOVE. One of the best thing about these (and the story line) is that it is based on Greek Gods and Goddesses. And the story is very unique; much like Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood, the story has complex characters. I really can not wait to do a full review on the manga series. If you have read these please leave a comment in the comments section! As always happy reading! 

Library, Book Outlet, and Acorn Books Book Haul

My Dover Public Library Book Haul; I spent a whooping 7$. The this Haul includes the following:

1) The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini 

Here is the synopsis: 

The Kite Runner follows the story of Amir, the privileged son of a wealthy businessman in Kabul, and Hassan, the son of Amir's father's servant. As children in the relatively stable Afghanistan of the early 1970s, the boys are inseparable. They spend idyllic days running kites and telling stories of mystical places and powerful warriors until an unspeakable event changes the nature of their relationship forever, and eventually cements their bond in ways neither boy could have ever predicted. Even after Amir and his father flee to America, Amir remains haunted by his cowardly actions and disloyalty. In part, it is these demons and the sometimes impossible quest for forgiveness that bring him back to his war-torn native land after it comes under Taliban rule. ("...I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded, not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night.")

2) In the Woods by Tana French

Here is the synopsis:

When Katy Devlin, a 12-year-old girl from Knocknaree, a Dublin suburb, is found murdered at a local archeological dig, Det. Rob Ryan and his partner, Cassie Maddox, must probe deep into the victim's troubled family history. There are chilling similarities between the Devlin murder and the disappearance 20 years before of two children from the same neighborhood who were Ryan's best friends. Only Maddox knows Ryan was involved in the 1984 case. The plot climaxes with a taut interrogation by Maddox of a potential suspect, and the reader is floored by the eventual identity and motives of the killer. A distracting political subplot involves a pending motorway in Knocknaree, but Ryan and Maddox are empathetic and flawed heroes, whose partnership and friendship elevate the narrative beyond a gory tale of murdered children and repressed childhood trauma.

3) Seeker by A.E. Dayton

Here is the synopsis:

Quin Kincaid has been put through years of brutal training for what she thinks is the noble purpose of becoming a revered ‘Seeker’. 

Only when it’s too late does she discover she will be using her new-found knowledge and training to become an assassin. Quin's new role will take her around the globe, from a remote estate in Scotland to a bustling, futuristic Hong Kong where the past she thought she had escaped will finally catch up with her.

4) The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Here is the synopsis:

Theo Decker, a 13-year-old New Yorker, miraculously survives an accident that kills his mother. Abandoned by his father, Theo is taken in by the family of a wealthy friend. Bewildered by his strange new home on Park Avenue, disturbed by schoolmates who don't know how to talk to him, and tormented above all by his longing for his mother, he clings to the one thing that reminds him of her: a small, mysteriously captivating painting that ultimately draws Theo into the underworld of art. 

As an adult, Theo moves silkily between the drawing rooms of the rich and the dusty labyrinth of an antiques store where he works. He is alienated and in love--and at the center of a narrowing, ever more dangerous circle. 

My second haul came from Bookoutlet.com; they had a 15% off sale last week. Even though I was in Gettysburg, PA on vacation I could not pass up the offer. Here are the four books I purchased: 

1) Conversion by Katherine Howe 

Here is the synopsis:

It’s senior year at St. Joan’s Academy, and school is a pressure cooker. College applications, the battle for valedictorian, deciphering boys’ texts: Through it all, Colleen Rowley and her friends are expected to keep it together. Until they can’t.

 
First it’s the school’s queen bee, Clara Rutherford, who suddenly falls into uncontrollable tics in the middle of class. Her mystery illness quickly spreads to her closest clique of friends, then more students and symptoms follow: seizures, hair loss, violent coughing fits. St. Joan’s buzzes with rumor; rumor blossoms into full-blown panic.
 
Soon the media descends on Danvers, Massachusetts, as everyone scrambles to find something, or someone, to blame. Pollution? Stress? Or are the girls faking? Only Colleen—who’s been reading The Crucible for extra credit—comes to realize what nobody else has: Danvers was once Salem Village, where another group of girls suffered from a similarly bizarre epidemic three centuries ago.

2) Of Beasts and Beauty by Stacey Jay

 

Here is the synopsis:

In the beginning was the darkness, and in the darkness was a girl, and in the girl was a secret...

In the domed city of Yuan, the blind Princess Isra, a Smooth Skin, is raised to be a human sacrifice whose death will ensure her city’s vitality. In the desert outside Yuan, Gem, a mutant beast, fights to save his people, the Monstrous, from starvation. Neither dreams that together, they could return balance to both their worlds.

Isra wants to help the city’s Banished people, second-class citizens despised for possessing Monstrous traits. But after she enlists the aid of her prisoner, Gem, who has been captured while trying to steal Yuan’s enchanted roses, she begins to care for him, and to question everything she has been brought up to believe.

As secrets are revealed and Isra’s sight, which vanished during her childhood, returned, Isra will have to choose between duty to her people and the beast she has come to love.

3) Monsterous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama

 

Here is the synopsis:

Fierce, seductive mermaid Syrenka falls in love with Ezra, a young naturalist. When she abandons her life underwater for a chance at happiness on land, she is unaware that this decision comes with horrific and deadly consequences. Almost 140 years later, seventeen-year-old Hester meets a mysterious stranger named Ezra and feels overwhelmingly, inexplicably drawn to him. For generations, love has resulted in death for the women in her family. Is it an undiagnosed genetic defect . . . or a curse? With Ezra's help, Hester investigates her family's strange, sad history. The answers she seeks are waiting in the graveyard, the crypt, and at the bottom of the ocean--but, in Elizabeth Fama's Monstrous Beauty, powerful forces will do anything to keep her from uncovering her connection to Syrenka and to the tragedy of so long ago.

4) A Little Night Magic by Lucy March

Here is the synopsis:

Olivia Kiskey needs a change. She's been working at the same Nodaway Falls, NY, waffle house since she was a teenager; not a lot of upward mobility there. She's been in love with Tobias the cook for the last four years; he's never made a move. Every Saturday night, she gathers with her three best friends - Peach, Millie, and Stacy - and drinks the same margaritas while listening to the same old stories. Intent on changing her life, she puts her house on the market, buys a one-way ticket to Europe, and announces her plans to her friends... but then she meets Davina Granville, a strange and mystical southern woman who shows Olivia that there is more to her small town life than she ever dreamed. As her latent magical powers come to the surface, Olivia discovers that having an interesting life is maybe not all it's cracked up to be. The dark side of someone else's magic is taking over good people in town, and changing them into vessels of malevolence... including Millie, who has been a shining example of sweetness for Liv since they were kids. Unwilling to cede her home to darkness, she battles the demons of her familial past and her magical present, and learns that the important things in life - friendship, love, magic and waffles - can get a girl through almost anything the Universe can throw at her.

And finally....

A small paper back haul from Acorn books in Smyrna, Delaware. These cost me roughly 12$. 

1) Covet (Fallen Angels #1) by J. R. Ward

Here is the synopsis: 

Redemption isn’t a word Jim Heron knows much about—his specialty is revenge, and to him, sin is all relative. But everything changes when he becomes a fallen angel and is charge with saving the souls of seven people from the seven deadly sins. And failure is not an option. Vin DiPietro long ago sold his soul to his business, and he’s good with that — until fate intervenes in the form of a tough- talking, Harley-riding, self-professed savior. But then he meets a woman who will make him question his destiny, his sanity, and his heart—and he has to work with a fallen angel to win her over and redeem his own soul.

2) Lover Enshrined (Black Dagger Brotherhood #6) by J.R. Ward

Here is the synopsis:

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly war raging between vampires and their slayers. And there exists a secret band of brothers like no other—six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. And now, a dutiful twin must choose between two lives...

Fiercely loyal to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Phury has sacrificed himself for the good of the race, becoming the male responsible for keeping the Brotherhood's bloodlines alive. As Primale of the Chosen, he is to father the sons and daughters who will ensure that the traditions of the race survive and that there are warriors to fight those who want all vampires extinguished.

As his first mate, the Chosen Cormia wants to win not only his body but his heart for herself- she sees the emotionally scarred male behind all his noble responsibility. But while the war with the Lessening Society grows more grim, and tragedy looms over the Brotherhood's mansion, Phury must decide between duty and love.

3) If She Knew by Lisa Jackson

Here is the synopsis:

She Woke Up With A New Face. . .

Not only has Marla Cahill survived a deadly car accident, but her beautiful features have been restored through plastic surgery. She should be grateful. Instead, she's consumed by confusion. . .and panic. For the people gathered at her bedside--her family--are strangers. And so is the woman whose haunted eyes stare back from the mirror. . .


She Woke Up With No Memories. . .

Secluded at the magnificent Cahill mansion, Marla waits for something to trigger recognition. Yet the only thing she's left with is the unshakable feeling that she is not who everyone says she is, and that something is very, very wrong. .

 . . And She Woke Up To Murder

Determined to piece together the truth of her identity, she finds herself drawn to her brother-in-law, Nick--a man who seems both to want and despise her. And as her fractured mind slowly clears, Marla begins to have flashes of another life. . .of cruel betrayals and deadly secrets. Marla's life isn't just different--it's in danger, controlled by a twisted killer who's waiting for the right moment to strike. . .the moment Marla remembers. . 

 

It's not to late....

To say Merry All Hallow's Eve....

Chaddsford Winery Trip & Adult Trick or Treating

On September 30, my coworker and I decided to take a trip to Chaddford, PA; an hour and ten minutes away from our home town. The winery was offering an adult trick or treating event that offered us a sample of their fall/winter wines. It was a nice Halloween experience; and I picked up an amazing Hard Cider that will pair well with my horror novels and mysteries this fall. 

The Creepiest Book Covers in my Book Collection.....

For more information on these books visit www.goodreads.com. Feel free to leave a snap shot of your favorite creepy book cover on the Bookbabe Main Page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/thebookbabeofde)

The Bookbabe Reviews: Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass 4) by Sara J. Maas

                                    

*****(This review contains no spoilers)******

Finally I have finished Queen of Shadows; I honestly do not know what took mw to long. Especially since I really loved the book. In Maas tome we return to the Kingdom of Adarlan after Celaena aka Aelin  (Queen of Terrasen) has been training and honing her magic far away from the magic striped Adarlan. In this book Aelin is very changed, not at all like who she was in the first three books. She comes back to Adarlan to over throw the King and restore magic. She also needs to right a few wrongs and get revenge for a death. When Aelin enters the Kingdom of Adarlan she finds out that her cousin, General Aedion, is set to be executed by the King. That Chaol has left the Kings service after Dorian revealed his magic; and that Dorian is now enslaved and possessed with the spirit of a Valg Prince. Chaol (one of my favorite characters in the series) has become hard. He is still as loyal as ever but he does not know what to make of Aelin. She has lied to him in the past because of their past Aelin also can not trust him. She wants to; and in some way it seems that she wants for him to have missed her. But when she sees how her interacts with fellow rebel, Nesryn, she knows that Chaol has moved on. They both come to the agreement that it will be easier to work together to free Aedion and to make things right in the Kingdom. 

The part of the story that I found the most intriguing pertained to the witches, Manon and the Blackbeck Clan. They took a larger role in this book. Which is exactly what I was hoping. We finally get a little more information on their motivations and we slowly start to see them evolve. We see that Manon is more than what her grandmother (matron witch) hopes that she is. We see her kindness in her shielding of Elide Lochan. What I ca not wait to see is what will become of her attraction of Dorian; this was a particular turn of events that had me scratching my head. Also, I found myself during parts of this book doubting Rowan and his true feelings for Aelin. Of course all of this is explained but there is still some "mystery" around him. Also, it feels like their may be a storm brewing for them in an upcoming book. I feel like their relationship will be used against them in some way. 

Favorite Scene: Abroynn finally getting whats coming to him, and at the hands of someone other than Aelin. Someone that he seemed to like to use as a pawn in his twisted games with Aelin. 

Favorite Quote: 

"Tell me what I must do to atone; tell me to crawl over hot coals, to sleep on a bed of nails, to carve up my flesh. Say the word, and it is done. But let me care for you as I once did, before...before that madness poisoned my heart. Punish me, torture me, wreck me, but let me help you. Do this mall thing for me - and let me lay the world at your feet"

"When you shatter the chains of this world and forge the next, remember that art is as vital as food to a kingdom. Without it, a kingdom is nothing, and will be forgotten in time"

"What was it like? To love." (Manon)

"It was like dying a little everyday. It was like being alive, too. It was joy so complete it was like pain. It destroyed me and unmade me and forged me. It hated it, because I knew I couldn't escape it, and knew it would forever change me" (Asterin) 

"She was death, devourer of worlds" 

"You make me want to live, too, Aelin Galathynius. Not exsist - but live. I spent centuries wandering the world, from empires to kingdoms to wastelands, never settling, never stopping - not for one moment. I was always looking toward the horizon, always wondering what waited across the next ocean, over the next mountain. But I think...I think that whole time, all those centuries, I was just looking for you"

 

What I am currently reading...

OMG I am in love; I am a huge fan of Brown's work. I am so happy that these stories finally came back to Italy. Gosh knows Lost Symbol was my least favorite of the series; mainly because it took place in America (I know that weird lol). Here is the synopsis for what I am resig this week: 

In the heart of Italy, Harvard professor of symbology Robert Langdon is drawn into a harrowing world centered on one of history’s most enduring and mysterious literary masterpieces . . . Dante’s Inferno.

Against this backdrop, Langdon battles a chilling adversary and grapples with an ingenious riddle that pulls him into a landscape of classic art, secret passageways, and futuristic science. Drawing from Dante’s dark epic poem, Langdon races to find answers and decide whom to trust . . . before the world is irrevocably altered.

Banned Book of the Day!

Banned Book of the Day: 1984 by George Orwell; it has been banned for social and political reasons and for sexual content. The book was even burned in the U.S.S.R for its negative views against communism; and reading it could have gotten you arrested. 

Have you read this banned book? If so, please share your comments at www.facebook.com/thebookbabeofde

Banned Book Quotable of the Day!

Banned Book of the Day!

Banned Book of the Day; Alice Walker's The Color Purple. It was Challenged in 2008 by a North Carolina School district for featuring passages containing homosexuality, rape, and incest. 

Have you read it? If so, head on over to www.facebook.com/thebookbabeofde to share your thoughts on this book! 

Here is a brief synopsis of the book as found on Amazon.com: 

This is the story of two sisters—one a missionary in Africa and the other a child wife living in the South—who sustain their loyalty to and trust in each other across time, distance, and silence. Beautifully imagined and deeply compassionate, this classic novel of American literature is rich with passion, pain, inspiration, and an indomitable love of life. 

The Book Babe Reviews A Classic: Anthem by Ayn Rand

                                           

                                                       Classic Book Review: Anthem by Ayn Rand

Anthem was one of the first books by Rand that I have ever read. This short novella was extremely interesting but not at all what I expected. In the world that Rand shapes individuality is a crime. Free thought is a crime. Having Passion is a crime. Falling in love freely is a crime. However, there is Equality 7-2521 that is curious and wants to go against the grain. He has no interest in living within the confines of his appointed lifestyle and job (as a street sweeper). It all starts with him praying to become a scholar because deep down he knows (or thinks) that they have free thought and he knows he is intelligent enough to be a scholar. But those dreams are dashed when he is assigned the job as a street sweeper. While cleaning the streets, he stumbles upon a sewer grate the is unmarked and upon inspection he finds that there are materials there to invent something. Equality finds and is able to harness electricity. He knows that he has to keep it a secret until the meeting of the scholars. While developing the electric box he meets Liberty 5-300; who he promptly names "The Golden One". It is almost love at first sight. She finds him unusual and handsome and eventually names him "The Unconquered"  because he is like no other man and seems to be able to think for himself.  He wishes for her to be the same; honestly we have very little insight into how she thinks. Which I understand because its only a short novella and she is not the main character. Eventually the moments between them grow and the first act of her really showing that she cares for him is a simple one. She brings him water, cupped within her hands and he calls her "dearest one". Finally the scholars are meeting and he comes to the scholars with his invention; and we discover that they are not as free thinking as one might think. They safely follow the rules and will not allow for a street sweeper to change the status quo. All Equality wanted to do was make life a little easier for everyone else by providing them with electricity. Once rejected by the scholars he escapes into the woods; a place no one dare goes. Only to be followed by "the golden one". They travel through the forest and eventually happen to find a house in the mountains; inside this place they find books and eventually they discover that their society is wrong for making them lose their individuality. It is not until now that they take names. They also learn that their society was not always this way; and Equality (now know as Prometheus) vows to take all that he has learned back to the city he came from. He will lead a revolution of enlightenment. 

My Thoughts:

I was stunned by this book; mainly because of the style in which it was written. The characters describe themselves as "we" and they have no real names; just names given to them by their government. Every single thing in their society is controlled tightly. They know nothing of love and are in fact allowed to "mate" every spring; this happens randomly and the men are paired up with a woman that he does not know. The mating happens and the children that are born from these unions are taken from their mothers; never getting to know either parent. What I loved about the book is that Rand slowly shows us how Equality (AKA Prometheus) comes into his own. How he rejects the constructs of his society to become an individual. This spoke to me because sometimes, especially in the society we live in being an individual is frowned upon. Think about how many times we have commented on someone with a weird fashion sense or quirky personality. We describe them sometimes as not "normal"; when actually normal is boring and in fact difficult to obtain, describe and maintain.  Rand stressed the importance of personal growth and knowledge and of seeing oneself as separate from society/the group. Another thing that is important to note is that in the book Rand lets us know that "free thinkers, artists, and writers" were punished or killed for creating. I can see where this could be a problem in a society. Think about the Nazi Party during WWII; they punished musician and writers. The same could be said of school districts in the U.S. that challenge and attempt to ban books. I can honestly say that this book was a pleasant surprise and I do look forward to reading more of Rand's work in the future. I gave this book 4/5 stars on Goodreads. 

Quotes I  Loved: 

 "Your eyes are as a flame, but our brothers have neither hope mor fire. Your mouth is cut of granite, but our brothers are soft and humble. Your head is high, but our brothers cringe. You walk, but our brothers crawl, we wish to be damned with you then to be blessed with our brothers" 

"I know not if this earth on which I stand is the core of the universe or if it is but a speck of dust lost in eternity. I know not and I do not care. For I know what happiness is possible for me on earth. And my happiness needs no higher aim to vindicate it. My happiness is not the means to any end. It is its own goal. It is its own purpose"

"For the word "We" must never be spoken,save by one's choice and as a second thought. This word must never be placed first within man's soul, else it becomes a monster, th root of all the evils on earth, the root of man's torture by men, and of an upspeakable lie. The word "We" is as lime poured over men, which sets and gardens to stone, and crushes all beneath it, and that which is white and that which is black are lost equally in the grey of it. It is the word by which the depraved steal the virtues of the good, by which the weak steal the might of the strong, by which the fools steal he wisdom of the sages" 

Banned Book Quote of the Day!

This lovely quote is from Beloved By Toni Morrison

Banned Book of the Day

Banned Book of the Day; Beloved by Toni Morrison. It has been challenged for “sexual material”, “violence”, and “inappropriate topics”. 

Here is the synopsis: 

Staring unflinchingly into the abyss of slavery, this spellbinding novel transforms history into a story as powerful as Exodus and as intimate as a lullaby. 

Sethe was born a slave and escaped to Ohio, but eighteen years later she is still not free. She has too many memories of Sweet Home, the beautiful farm where so many hideous things happened. Her new home is haunted by the ghost of her baby, who died nameless and whose tombstone is engraved with a single word: Beloved. 

Have you read this book? If so, please share your thoughts in the comment section of this post! 

In the spirit of Banned Book Week; an old movie quote!

Bookish Quote of the Day!

Banned Book of the Day!

The Diary of Anne Frank was challenged in Michigan in 2013 for "pornographic" passages. 

I first read Anne's Diary at about 11 or 12. First in School and then on my own. I have since gone through four copies of the book. Either I lost them, gifted them or they where torn and tattered. Anne's story was extremely important for me because I felt awkward and bookish as a teenager and she was like me in some ways. She was a young person trying to make sense of the world she lived in. It was because of Anne that I kept, and still keep a journal. Also her diary is one of my favorite books to give away as a gift. The diary remains one of my dearest literary experiences and it's a book that is changed me and parts of it are stamped on my heart. 

My Fall 2015 to Read List

                      

             My Fall 2015 Reading  List

1) World After by Susan Ee

2) Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King

3) First Impressions by Charlie Lovett

4) Eve by Wm. Paul Young

5) The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion

6) Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

7) Salt & Storm by Kendall Kulper

8) Siddhartha by Herman Heese

9) Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

10) The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

11) Inferno by Dan Brown

12) Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward

13) 1984 by George Orwell

14) Kalona's Fall by P.C. and Kristin Cast

The Vampire Within: A Review of J.R. Ward's Lover Revealed

The Vampire Within: The Bookbabe Reviews Lover Revealed by J. R. Ward (Black Dagger Brotherhood #4)

First let me start this review by apologizing for not writing/posting it sooner. Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward was an unexpected addition to the Black Brotherhood Series; mainly because it deals squarely with Ex homicide detective Butch O'Neal. Honestly with this series I would have never in a million years imagined a book based on Butch, mainly because I saw him only as a secondary character. I was pleasantly surprised by this book but it was also a bet predictable. About a quarter of the way in I saw the outcome of Butch's storyline because it just made sense. With this book we are re introduced to Marissa, the female vampire that Butch is carrying a torch for. We learn a little more about her. Such as that even though she is carrying on with the owner of on of the most popular clubs in the area her feelings for him are not concrete. We also know that she is a part of the vampire elite. Also, at her age she should have mated with another vampire but it has not happened yet; this makes her a bit on an outcast in their society and she is practically shunned. She hides the fact that her shunning bothers her and that she is in love with a human. As the book goes on she and Butch find themselves back together again after he is captured and tortured by members of the lessing society; because something has been done to him and she runs to his side she ends up being quarantined for days along with him. Even though she is with him he still finds a way to push her aside. She convinces him to let her in and it leads to her brother, Havers, walking in o them in a very compromising position. After this incident her brother puts her out of their home right before dawn; telling her that she is no longer his sister. She goes to the only place she knows that she will most likely be take in. The Brotherhoods compound. By this time Butch has come back to the compound as well and he still feels compelled to keep Marissa away as he works through the damage that that lessers have done to him. 

As the story continues we find out that Butch can sense the lessers, and he can also kill them without the use of a blade. It is not until the brotherhood decides to find out more about Butch's genetics that they find out about his vampire ancestry. (This is where it got predictable). The Scribe virgin allows for Butch to transition to a vampire after she hears that he is directly related to Wrath (the king of the vamps). Even before his transformation and induction into the Brotherhood Butch displayed some of the marks that members of the Brotherhood does. Such as the "bonding" scent whenever he is around Marissa and his fierce need to protect those he loves. It is for this reason that he pushes her away during this tough period and also the reason why he tires and fails to keep her out of the way. While he is fighting his own battles Marissa finds her own voice and takes it upon herself to make some decisions for herself. By the end of the book Marissa is stronger, and more outspoken then ever before. She is also working to help vampire women and children that are victims of domestic violence. 

What I loved about this book was Marissa'a development as a character. She grew into someone with gentle strength and one hell of a backbone. I really can not wait to see more of her in the upcoming books. I have the book a 4 out of five stars on Goodreads.com.

Quotes I Loved:

"I Love you, to Butch"

"Now, why you want to go and do that, baby? I'd figured you as a smart female"

For more reviews and information on my bookish adventures be sure to follow me at www.delawarebookaddict.blogspot.com / www.facebook.com/thebookbabeofde 

More Diverse Reading Choices

I am adding some diverse and  multicultural reading materials on to my ever growing reading list. And I am starting with African Authors; primarily female, author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is most widely known for her speeches cameo in Beyonce's Flawless. But she is a women's rights activist and a writer of fiction. Here are several of her books that I just added to my wishlist/TBR Pile...

Synopsis: (From Amazon.com) 

With effortless grace, celebrated author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie illuminates a seminal moment in modern African history: Biafra's impassioned struggle to establish an independent republic in southeastern Nigeria during the late 1960s. We experience this tumultuous decade alongside five unforgettable characters: Ugwu, a thirteen-year-old houseboy who works for Odenigbo, a university professor full of revolutionary zeal; Olanna, the professor’s beautiful young mistress who has abandoned her life in Lagos for a dusty town and her lover’s charm; and Richard, a shy young Englishman infatuated with Olanna’s willful twin sister Kainene. Half of a Yellow Sunis a tremendously evocative novel of the promise, hope, and disappointment of the Biafran war.

Synopsis: (From Amazon.com)

Ifemelu and Obinze are young and in love when they depart military-ruled Nigeria for the West. Beautiful, self-assured Ifemelu heads for America, where despite her academic success, she is forced to grapple with what it means to be black for the first time. Quiet, thoughtful Obinze had hoped to join her, but with post-9/11 America closed to him, he instead plunges into a dangerous, undocumented life in London. Fifteen years later, they reunite in a newly democratic Nigeria, and reignite their passion—for each other and for their homeland. 

Synopsis: (From Amazon.com) 

Fifteen-year-old Kambili and her older brother Jaja lead a privileged life in Enugu, Nigeria. They live in a beautiful house, with a caring family, and attend an exclusive missionary school. They're completely shielded from the troubles of the world. Yet, as Kambili reveals in her tender-voiced account, things are less perfect than they appear. Although her Papa is generous and well respected, he is fanatically religious and tyrannical at home―a home that is silent and suffocating.

As the country begins to fall apart under a military coup, Kambili and Jaja are sent to their aunt, a university professor outside the city, where they discover a life beyond the confines of their father’s authority. Books cram the shelves, curry and nutmeg permeate the air, and their cousins’ laughter rings throughout the house. When they return home, tensions within the family escalate, and Kambili must find the strength to keep her loved ones together.

In Observance....

Today marks the 14 year anniversary of the September 11th Attack in New York. I am a native, born and raised Delawarean but New York is the hometown of my heart. It's a city I have loved ever since I stepped foot on the island my freshman year of highschool. In all the trips I have made there over the years I still feel the same awe and love that I did then. To the city of my heart I love you to the fire fighters and police officers of NYPD and FDNY you are my heroes...THANK YOU for all you did that day and all you have done after! 

She rescued him as much as he rescued her: The Bookbabe Review of Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward

She rescued him as much as he rescued her: The Bookbabe Review of Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward

I am a little late with this review; being as though I started and finished this book in August. Lover Awakened was a little harder to get through because it is about the toughest brother of the group, Zsadist. Zsadist has a deep, dark and disturbing past that is filled with a lot of self destruction. Z (as he is known by the brothers) is a former blood/sex slave; having been stolen from his family. He is marked with tattoos on his wrists and around his neck that marks him as what he was. Z is a guy that you want to hate but just can't bring yourself to. In the previous books he positively gave me the creeps and I could not see why Bella would be so willing to get close to him. As we find out its because of his dangerous side, but also because she senses something good and vulnerable in him. During the course of this book we learn a lot about the very tense relationship that Z has with this twin Phury. (Who honestly I am very anxious to get to know). We also find some heart break in this book that I feel will echo across several of the other books in the series. In my opinion this book was one of the best so far. It was deep, with lots of high drama. Ward writes it in such away that you can not help but hope that Z finds the love and support he needs with Bella. I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads. 

Quotes I loved:

"You are the male I might have been. You are the potential I had and lost. You'll take care of her. I want you to take care of her....it will be a good mating for her. With you as her Hellen, she can hold her head up high. She can be seen with you at her side. She'll be socially invincible. The flyers won't be able to touch her." (Zsadist)

"Oh, God...Z. How could you stomach the idea that I was with her" (Phury)

"Whether it's you or someone else, the pain is the same. Besides, you think I'm not used to hurting. For me, it's home sweet home, my brother" (Zsadist) 

"U, you know what they say about messengers, right?"

"Excuse me?"

"Too much bad news will get you shot"

For more book reviews and to join in my bookish adventures be sure to follow me at 

www.delawarebookaddict.blogspot.com and www.facebook.com/thebookbabeofde

Harry Potter Tim Burton Style

I happened upon these last night on Pinterest and I just had to share them.