The Bookbabe Reviews To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I have seen the movie at least once and for what ever odd reason I was never really compelled to read the book; even though I had owned a tattered second hand copy for a number of years. I began my journey with this book with only a baseline knowledge of what the book would hold within its pages. To my surprise the book made me long for the simpler times of Childhood. Were I was able to live a carefree and easy life. To Kill a Mockingbird is very much a story of growing as it is an indictment of an America long since dead and buried. An American, that even today, some in our society would like nothing more than to go back to.

In Lee’s American classic we meet a young girl nicknamed Scout and her older brother Jem and their father Atticus. The Finch’s live in the small southern town of Macomb. Scout and Jem are your typical children - they tease one another, get into as much trouble as possible and live for soft summer breezes and cool lemonade. They do however, have an aching desire to see Arthur “Boo” Radley come out of his house - and the children spend summer after summer (with the help of their friend Dill) attempting to get a glimpse at old Boo Radley.

The children have never had much trouble in life, things are pretty good for them. Until there begins to be some grumbling amongst the town folks about Atticus defending a black man (Tom Robinson) who has been bought up on rape charges. Tom is accused the worst offense imaginable - forcing himself on a white woman. The children are immediately thrust into their fathers business. Even though Atticus tries to instill in them the importance of turning the other cheek and being the bigger person. It’s hardest for Scout to heed her fathers edict and walk away when children at her school call her and her father “nigger lovers”. Some how she does, and so does Jem (for the most part).

The trial on Tom Robinson I believe was a turning point for both of the children. It was as they stood in that court room watching their father defend a man, trying to save a mans life that I believe a part of their innocence was lost. It was at that moment and at that time that the Children really saw that the world wasn’t fair. They were taught a tough and life changing lesson. This moment was heart wrenching and the trial scenes made me angry and also tearful. As a person of color, I wanted Lee to write a different ending. I wanted to believe that with Atticus at the helm of Tom Robinson’s defense that the evident truth would win the day. But, I was wrong. And Atticus lost. And the latter end of the book left me teary eyed and as I said before wanting to go back to a simpler time. When I was a child and the truth and complexities about race, culture, and class were unknown to me.

The beauty of this book is the difficulty of the subject matter. Harper Lee portrayed the attitudes of southern whites with ease because she was one. She also handled with care the need of social change and justice. She showed the reader that not all whites were racist and that some would do their best to treat their fellow man with respect and dignity - right to the end. It’s easy to see why Atticus is a beloved character in literary circles. He along with Scout are perhaps my favorite characters I’ve read in the past few months. With that being said

I am so very happy to have finally picked up this book; and I am very proud to call it my first completed read of the new year. I can’t wait to snuggle up in my bedroom with a nice mug of tea and rewatch the classic film. I gave to Kill a Mockingbird 5/5 stars on Goodreads.

Quotes I Loved:

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”

“Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read.”

“People in their right minds never take pride in their talents.”

“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.”

Edgar Allan Poe can be a killers Best friend: The Bookbabe Reviews The Poet by Michael Connelly

After reading The Bride Collector I was ready for another mystery; so I searched through my books and found Michael Connelly's The Poet. The Poet is the story of newspaper reporter Jack McEvoy's need to understand the apparent suicide death of his police officer twin brother. He can't wrap his head around the death. None of it makes any sense to and after a little digging he discovers that everything is not as it seems. The Poet is a killer that leaves behind cryptic messages by using the Poetry and works of Edgar Allan Poe. At the same time we are introduced to The Poet we are exposed to another underlying story: cops involved in the molestation of children. This is a common thread throughout the book and one that ties several of the characters together; however this is classic misdirection. The Poet is a 501 (mass market edition) page wild ride of twists and turns and suspense. This is definitely Connelly at his finest hour. I really can't write to much about the book without giving away vital parts of the plot; so I'll share with you what I loved about the work.
I loved that Edgar Allan Poe's poetry was used by the killer is a calling card. This is a bit different and definitely interesting. At first none of the suicide notes containing these lines made any sense until they were examined further. It was never really explained in the book as to why The Poet used Poe. Another thing that was great about this book were the plot twists. You begin to believe that the killer is identified early. We think we know who the killer is and then plot twist; and with the first twist a sudden and heart wrenching betrayal. Then another plot twist and the real killer is revealed. There were so many layers to these twists; the author really kept me guessing. Another thing I really enjoyed was the ambiguous ending. Connelly left it open for McEvoy to have another encounter with The Poet.
I gave The Poet 5/5 stars on Goodreads.
Quotes I Liked:
"It's lucky no one else knows what our most secret thoughts are. We'd all be seen for the cunning, self-aggrandizing fools we are."

"Writing does for me what you got in that glass does for you. If I can write about it, I can understand it."

Who Says Sequels have to be boring? The Bookbabe reviews A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

I was a little late to this party, as in I was a little late to this Fandom. But man alive how amazing is this series. It's got it all. Magic, suspense, thrills and laughs and a budding romance. This book also had a hell of a twist that I didn't see coming. So where to start? Well why not with the things I loved. I enjoyed the tension of this story; the way that Laia and Elias finally admitted their attraction. This was a slow burning tension. It was always there on the edges but never took center stage. The only relationship we ever really expected was that of Laia and Keenan. We also never expected the betrayal that that relationship would bring. There is a lot of intrigue in this sequel and a ton of moving parts that you do not see coming. Some of the back stabbing that happens was just not expected and it kept me turning the pages of this novel well into the night.
The things I want to know more about: Harper and Elias' father....Who is he? Have we been introduced to him already? Will Marcus go completely off the rails? I mean he is so shifty already. Is Helene's last living relative in real danger? Will Helene attempt to overthrow Marcus? Will The Commandant? And how are they all going to react to Elias still being alive? Also, why is the Nightbringer so interested in Laila? Of course, all of this will most likely be answered in the upcoming books of the series. But that does not stop me from wanting to tweet Sabaa Tahir about the book.
The best thing about these books are the new alliances; Afaya allying herself with Elias and Laia. Costing her members of her tribe and costing her brother a potential love interest. Then the alliance of Harper and Helene; Harper was once a spy for the Commandant and now he seems to have chosen a different path. The most interesting alliance was that of Keenan and Laia; she so easily trusted him. He seemed to want to comfort her and they both seemed so lonely in the world. However, Izzie and Elias see something "off" about him. It is not until a tender moment between himself and Laia that the truth about Keenan comes to light.
One of the other alliances that was interesting (and a bit creepy) was that of The Commandant, Kauf's Warden and the Nightbringer. The Nightbringer seems to have the ability to be anyone and to be anywhere. However, the reader can not seem to get a hold on what his angle is in all this. It's hard to see where he really fits in to all this. He seems driven by something - maybe hate but you really can't be sure. There just is not enough told to us about him at this point to draw any conclusions. He is definitely a character that we can expect to keep us guessing. I can not wait to see where Tahir takes this character.
The most heart wrenching scene in this book is the brutal lost that Helene has to endure at the hands of Marcus. I can see why it had to happen, Helene disobeyed Marcus' order. This fulfilled a prophecy; this is what breaks her. I have no doubt that whatever revenge Helene enacts on Marcus will be slo, painful and enjoyable. I wonder who will help her take him down.
This sequel left me wanting more and it avoided the dreaded sequel curse (meaning that sequels are tantamount to sitting and watching the grass grow). I really can not wait to see what Tahir has in store for us in rest of the series. I gave this novel 5\5 stars on Goodreads.

Quote I loved:

"You will poison Laia's joy, her hope, her life, like you have poisoned the rest. If you care for her, then do not let her care for you. Like the poison that rages within you, you have no antidote."

"Most people are nothing but glimmers in the great darkness of time. But you....are no swift burning spark. You are a torch against the night - if you dare to let yourself burn."

"Fear gives him power, like feeding oil to a lamp. It makes him burn brighter. It makes him strong"

The Book Every Woman of Color should read...My review of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

I can not believe that I had not read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings before just a few weeks ago. I understand now why so many women of color have such a special connection with this book. At 32, I consider myself pretty well read. However, never had I read such a book as this one. Maya Angelou's story is deeply personal and some of her life experiences seem so close to my own. I can imagine another brown skinned, awkward young girl running around outside with friends. Enjoying summer church picnics and reading books by Dickens and Bronte. Like Angelou I was raised by my grandmother; who was also a strict woman. But was not very religious. If it had not been for my stepmother and a friend in high school I would not have been introduced to Christianity. (Even though I said prayers daily and could recite The Lord's Prayer). Another thing that Maya and I did not have in common: the surroundings in which we grew up and the era in which we grew up.
Maya Angelou grew up in rural Stamps, Arkansas; a small town, the area that she lived in was segregated and she attended a segregated school. Her upbringing was closer to my own Grandmothers. My gran grew up in a small, one stoplight town in Maryland named Greensboro. I on the other hand...did not have to deal with a segregated school or deal with the challenges of living in a small rural area. (Mind you I don't live in a bustling metro area either.) One of the things about Angelou's book that really resonated with me was the way that she always seemed to be conscious of her blackness. Her "otherness". However, her response to it was different from anyway that I have ever read it described. She was taught to have pride in her color. She saw nothing wrong with being colored. She was not aware that there was really anything different about her. However, "white folks" where different. They behaved, dressed and ate differently then she and her family. This was comical to me and understandable.
I can think back to a time when I was never aware of my difference from anyone else. However, that changed at about age 9 or 10 when I was called the N word by a classmate during summer break. That was the first time I was aware that there was a difference; it was the first time I had to have "the talk" with my grandmother. In this book Angelou has a similar incident with a dentist; while suffering with a toothache her grandmother took her to the only dentist in the area. The man flat out refused to help young Maya; he even went so far as to say he would never put his hands in a dogs mouth than that of a nigger. Of course, Mayas's grandmother will not be disrespected and sends Maya off the porch to wait as she goes into the office to deal with the mans disrespect. The was my favorite scene in the book because Maya, with her childhood imagination, imagines her grandmother as a superhero. Defending her honor and telling that man what's what. Especially since the man was to good to help them but was not to good to come to Maya's grandmother (who owned the general store in Stamps) for a loan. Like Maya, I was always a bit amazed by my grandmother. She was my superhero. Of course, it was not until I was older and wiser that I saw her humanity; however, she will never really come all the way down to my level. She will always be a woman of wisdom in which to learn from - flaws and all.
Angelou's book is one that I hope to return to a few years from now. And a book I hope to share with other young women and even some young men. There is so much in this book that we could all learn from. There is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom in this tomes pages.
I gave I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings 5/5 stars on goodreads.com

Here are a few quotes that I loved:

"Words mean more that what us set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them wit the shades of deeper meaning."

"The Black woman in the south who raises sons, grandsons and nephews had her heartstrings tied to a hanging noose"

"It was awful to be Negro and have no control over my life. It was brutal to be young and already trained to sit quietly and listen to charges brought against my color with no chance of defense."

"Sympathy is next to shit in the dictionary, and I can't even read."

"All knowledge is spendable currency, depending on the market"

"No one ever leaves alive, The house at 7 Ocean Drive"....The Bookbabe Review of The Murder House by James Patterson & David Ellis

I have a fondness for mysteries; and it seems I also have a fondness this month for James Patterson novels. This is my fifth time reading Patterson; however, it's my third time reading him so far this year. (Yes I am aware we are only 25 days into 2017 lol) The Murder House was just the type of page turner I needed. It was dark, twisty, and fast paced. Boy, oh Boy, how it kept me guessing. In the novel we are introduced to Det. Jenna Murphy, who is resettling into a new job in Bridgehampton, NY. Jenna was forced out of a job with NYPD after turning over evidence on dirty cops to the wrong person. So disgraced and wanting to get back to the job she loves she finds herself working for her uncle; in a small town PD.
Just a few weeks after arriving Jenna finds herself trying to weasel her way onto a Murder investigation. However, her uncle (the Chief of Police) puts up road blocks and stops her from getting into deep.
This does not stop Jenna, who is only interested in the truth and finds herself ass deep in a mystery that begins to feel as if it involves the entrie town. And perhaps there is a cover up to keep some the lid on something big. Thrust into the story as well is Noah Walker, the man accused of a horrific double murder. Jenna just can not shake the fact that Noah is not a killer. She can just smell a set up. But she can not really figure out The Who, the what and the why of it all.
Noah himself is just trying to keep his head on straight - all the while trying to understand what's happening to him and how he really fits into all of it. Sooner or later, and very reluctantly, Noah and Jenna are forced to confront one another and join forces to catch a murderer.

This book was one hell of a ride, intense and dark and twisty. It lead you down the path of a sociopathic killer who paraded himself as a pillar of the community. He is the last person you would expect in the end. It also reveals a dangerous secret that about Det. Murphy that even she didn't see coming. I gave this book 5/5 stars on Goodreads.com.

Quotes I liked:
"Simpleton with violent tendencies and the empathy of a rattlesnake, but other than that a dear boy"

One sit reads: The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman

In the hurry to get the rest of my reading goal met I have decided to do several one sit reads. And tonight's selection was The Sleeper and the Spindle. This small volume has been sitting on my TBR shelf for months. I really have no clue why it took me so long to get to this book.
In this book Neil Gaiman takes us to a small kingdom that is falling under a "sleeping spell" - a spell that was cast on a young princess in a Kingdom that borders their own. The young queen of this kingdom takes it upon herself to go and save her people; and she (along with the dwarves that accompany her) are immuned to the sleeping spell. Our Queen in question was once asleep herself for a year; in a glass coffin. (That should be a clue to who she is. She is never named).
They make their way to the castle; only to discover that things are not what they seem. The villain is killed in the end but there is no real happy ending. The people of the Kingdom the Queen rescues has no clue what happened. And the Queen heads back to her Kingdom to get married.
This little book seems to have two intentions 1)to let the reader know that women are capable and equiped to save themselves; 2) Not all fairy tales get happy endings - sometimes the endings are all to real. This book also left me with some questions like: Where did the villain come from? Will the Queen take the same lead in her own life? Will she marry because it's what is expected or because she wants to? Maybe she needs to rescue herself.
The main attraction of this book was the artwork (by Chris Riddell); the illustrations where gothic and hauntingly beautiful. Which is what I would expect in a book about spells, witches and queens. I gave this book 4/5 stars on Goodreads.com.

****Above is just some of the artwork for the book****

Hen Parties & murder: The Bookbabe reviews in a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

Ruth Ware's In a Dark, Dark Wood produced one of the worse villains I have read since reading about Amy in Gone Girl (Gillian Flynn). In this novel we are given a glimpse into the life of Nora; a young woman of 26 living in London. She is just going about her life when out of the blue she receives an email from a woman named Flo; inviting her to a weekend getaway for their soon to be married friend Clare. It is clear from the beginning that Nora has no clue why she has been invited. She has not seen Clare for ten years; they do not email, exchange Christmas cards, or visit one another. They have simply moved on with their lives. Clare working in the theater world and Nora is working hard at writing her next book. Nora seems a bit taken aback by the invite but believes that it might be a good idea to meet up with her long lost friend; even though she has a nagging feeling that she just needs to stay home. Instead Nora, along with friend Nina take the trip to the countryside to the strange glass house they will be staying in over the weekend. If its not creepy enough that the house is made of glass; all of the people there other than Nina and Clare are unknown to her. In fact, she can not place how each of them fits into the life of the Clare she once knew. Each guest is so different from the friends she and Clare used to have. The strangest of the group is Flo, she is Clare's maid of honor, and she is completely obsessed with Clare. In fact, she would do anything for Clare. Flo is also a very fragile young woman. She seems to be consistently on edge. Which seems to continue as the story unravels.
As the weekend goes on it is revealed that Clare is engaged to James, Nora's ex. A man and a relationship that ended cruelly by text and caused Nora to run away from her life and her friends 10 years before. She just could not face the embarrassment of the way he had treated her at the end of their relationship. This revelation continues to drive the story forward; its the lies and the secrets that the main characters hide that really kept me turning the pages.
What I really loved about Ware's novel was how well weaved the tale was. Once the book hit its stride the story just kept you wanting more. I was pretty sure I knew who was behind the murder of one of the characters. But, in the end I was wrong. There is so much loss in this book. So many lies; and that is what made the novel so delicious. I gave In a Dark, Dark Wood 5/5 stars on goodreads.

Quotes that I loved:

"Shall we go downstairs and meet the cock in the hen house."

"You can run but you can't escape"

"You'd think people would be wary of spilling to a writer. You'd think they'd know we're essentially birds of carrion, picking over the corpses of dead affairs and forgotten arguments to recycle them in our work."

"You know - what really creeps me out isn't the footprints - or not as such. It's the fact that if it hadn't have been for the snow, we'd never have known."

"People don't change, they just get more punctilious about hiding their true selves."

"All that copying Clare's clothes - its a bit Single White Female, isn't it? If you ask me, she's a couple of Xanax away from re-enacting the shower scene from Psycho"

How well do you know your neighbors? The Bookbabe reviews The Couple Next Door

The Couple Next Door was my first selection from the Book of the Month Club. The Book is a mystery and fit into my over all theme for the year. This book was not really what I thought it would be and it left me wanting to know what would happen to one of main characters in the future.
In this novel, Shari Lapena, takes us inside the lives of Amy and Marco. A 30 something married couple with a new born child. We are introduced to them as they are attending a party next door; with their neighbors Cynthia and Graham. Amy is a bit anxious because at the insistence of their spouse she is at the party - without her daughter. Who is next door in their home; their babysitter called off due to a family emergency. Both of the parents are checking on the baby every half hour and they are keeping a watch on her via the baby monitor they have bought with them. But they miss one of the checks due to Marco wanting to have just one more glass of wine. Finally they go home; to find the front door of their home ajar and the baby missing.
It is after all this that hell breaks loose. Everyone, from the media to their family and friends suspect them of harming and hiding their child. Especially after it is revealed that Amy is suffering from postpartum depression and Marco's business is failing. This novel is a novel of deep and troubling secrets. Everyone, and I do mean everyone has something to hide. Other than maybe the detective. Right down to Amy's parents and neighbors.
What I loved about the book was that the there was just the right amount of tension. Amy and Marco have been dealing with her depression and the pressures of being parents to a newborn. This has re-shaped their relationship. There is also tension between Cynthia and Graham; who have some evidence that may implicate Marco in the disappearance of his own child. But, they can't use it because it links them to another crime. While Amy's mother and stepfather are dealing with an unhappy marriage; and her mom is coping with the fact that her husband has been cheating on her for many years and might be stealing from her as well.
This novel is full of twists and turns and their are some frightening implications for all of them. Especially for Amy. I found the characters in this book somewhat likable but really aggravating. Amy had just the right amount of anxiety and tension and instability to make her extremely creepy. But - its her vulnerability that makes her so likable. With Marco its the same. What I loved is that while predictable the story was never boring. This one was a real page turner. I really must say I am excited to read more from this author.

Quotes I loved:

“Her thoughts speed up and become less rational; her mind makes fantastic leaps. It's not that things don't make sense to her when she's like this — sometimes they make 'more' sense. They make sense the way dreams do. It's only when the dream is over that you see how odd it all was, how it actually didn't make sense at all.”

“...nobody makes that much money without taking advantage of somebody. It's much easier to make money if you don't care who you hurt. If you have scruples, it's much harder to get rich.”

FanFic's, Emergency Dance Parties, Starbucks and Nerd-dom: Bookbabe reviews Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

I have never had so much fun reading a book in my life. Fangirl has it all. Romance, coffee, nerd-dom and dance parties. In this book we are introduced to Cath; a young college student that is obsessed with all things Simon Snow (the Harry Potter of Cath's world). She is so head-over-heels in love with Snow that she writes a fan fic about him. Cath is a character that I could not help but love. She reminded me of myself so much in my late teens and early twenties. 
As a college student I pretty much kept to myself; I also spent much of my time wrapped up in books and writing. In fact, I fell in love with the Potter series in my early days at college. 
Cath was such an amazing well written and fully flushed out character; what is so wonderful about both Cath and her twin sister, Wren, is that they are so believable. They are characters of depth. Going through things so many of us have gone through during the time of transition from high school to college. 
During this time We are all trying to find our place, trying to figure out where we fit. Cath seems to not want to change. She is happy to just stay in her room and eat protein bars until she can't anymore. However, her roommate is not going to allow this and forces Cath into going out more and interacting with others. Reagan (Cath's roommate) reminds me so much of myself; at my current age. She seems sure of herself, she seems to know who she is and she does not care what anyone really thinks of her. It is through this relationship that Cath meets Levi; who she believes is Reagan's boyfriend. When in fact, he's her ex and only sticks round their room because he hopes to run into Cath. 
Cath and Levi's relationship evolves slowly and sweetly. It reminds me so much of what love can be like when its not rushed and its built on friendship. Cath and Levi's relationship is not without an occasional hiccup that leads to mistrust; but, it all ends up sorted in the end and Levi proves and redeems himself.
One of the the things that really surprised me about this book was the fact that Rowell intertwined real issues into the story. She showed how both Cath and Wren handled the abandonment issues they have. And how they each responded to their father's bipolar disorder. It is Cath's reaction to the sudden arrival of her mother into their lives that really made me love the character more. Like Cath, I was raised without my mom and I felt; at one time, the way that she does in Fangirl. Rowell really wrote one hell of a novel. It was really a pleasure to read. 
I truly hope that she revisits Cath, Levi, Reagan and Wren again. I would love to see what else they get into. 

Quotes that I loved:

"I always get lost in the library, no matter how many times I go. In fact, I thinkI get lost there more, the more that I go. Like it's getting to know me and revealing new passages."

"You're a sad little hermit, and it creeps me out."

"We're skinny bitches on the weekdays and drunk bitches on the weekends"

"I'm not really a book person."
"That might have been the most idiotic thing you've ever said to me."

"Write as if your life depended on it...Write as if your future depended on it"

"There's nothing more intoxicating than creating something from nothing.  Creating something for yourself"

"I spent four months trying to kiss you and the last six weeks trying to figure out how I managed to fuck everything up."

Bookbabe Reviews: Fallen by Lauren Kate

                                  

Fallen Angels and an Earth Shattering Love: The Bookbabe Reviews  Fallen by Lauren Kate 

Let me start off as saying this is not my first attempt at reading this book. I originally purchased it in 2012 and attempted to read it. I gave up about fifty pages in because I simply could not get in to the book. The prologue was interesting but after that I was pretty much lost. I got bored. Well....fast forward to 2016 and to the downloading of the audio book from Dover Public Library and viola.....I am completely done the first book in the Fallen series. 

Fallen was exactly what I expected and I thought that I could almost predict the ending; I mean,, come on, we've all read these types of YA novels and they almost always follow the same formula. Girl falls for mysterious guy, guy tries to resist girl, he is hiding a secret...yada yada yada. We have all been there. However, Fallen was a bit different. This was the first series of I had read involving Angels; and I was pleasantly surprised. Kate weaved a good tale of forbidden love  and lost. Also, she kept it interesting by putting our main characters in a very interesting environment: a reform school. Who knew that a school full of delinquents could be so fun to read about. 

Luce and Daniel are probably going to become some of my favorite couples in a YA series. This is for several reasons: 1) Daniel seems to be a hopeless romantic (he reminds me of Darcy from P&P but without the snooty attitude); 2) Luce seems to be able to handle herself; she knows what she wants and seems to be okay with fighting to stay with Daniel. It also does not hurt that both of them are extremely relatable and likable. Also,  Luce is not the typical female love interest you would expect in a YA novel. She is not clingy or whiny and she sticks up for herself. You could say Luce is the anti-Bella (as in Bella Swan from Twilight). 

One of my favorite scenes from the book involves a bit of a plot twist; in which, someone they all trusted decides that Luce has to die because, frankly, she is a destruction for Daniel in the fight against another Fallen angel. I can honestly say that I am extremely happy to have read it. I can not wait to start Torment. I gave Fallen 4/5 Stars on Goodreads.com.

Favorite Quotes:

"The classes here are soulless, worse they'll strip you of your soul. Of the eighty kids in this place, I'd say we've only got about three remaining souls."

"Trust is a careless pursuit at best. At worst, it's a good way to get yourself killed."

"You - you wouldn't hurt me?" "Of course I would....you're the human equivalent of a migraine"

Litsy.....a place to grow your TBR...and make friends!

So....have you heard there is like a tinder for books? It's called Litsy! It's one of the best things I have discovered this year. Litsy is an app that helps readers connect with one another. The app is similar to Instagram in that you can post photos of the books your reading. You can post quotes, blurbs and (small) reviews! This is great for me because I love to create meme's of quotes for the books I just finished. 

Also the app has helped me choose which books to read next and has made my TBR bigger. I have found that the users of this app take their books very seriously and give very honest reviews! 

The best feature of the app is the My Litfluence...it's pretty awesome. You increase your Litfluence as people like your post, comment or follow you. So far I have only 75 or so followers. A number I hope to see grow by Jan of 2017! Litsy is a must have on any book lover's phone. If your using Litsy please post your username in the comments. You can follow me there as TheBookbabeblog84 ! 

The Bookbabe Returns to the House of Night....My review of Hidden by P.C. + Kristen Cast

Where do I begin....well how about at the part where I started this book in July of 2014 and stopped reading it! I honestly gave up on it. I will start by saying that once upon a time I was crazy about this series. I raved about it. Then came a few books in the series that I had a hard time digesting. Honestly, I think that this was because the characters never seemed to have any real "growth" or complexity. At least not the characters on the side of good like, Zoey, Stark and Stevie Rae. While the Villians, like Kalona, Neferet etc..... are well developed and well written. Which is one of the reasons I came back to the series. I wanted to know how they would fight evil and handle Neferet! 

What I loved about this book was that we finally see Zoey evolve. She is forced by Nyx to grow up. She is told point blank to stop acting like a child and step into her high priestess position. Same goes with Stevie Rae; who honestly I believed had handled her Red High Priestess position rather well up to this point. I honestly would have loved to have seen more of Stevie Rae throughout this book. She kind of took on a side kick role. 

It was also nice to see Kalona in action....to see him change his ways. We all knew he had it in him; but I was surprised by some of the developments with the character in this installment of the series. I think it would have served readers better if these changes had happened earlier in the series! Kalona's character is a very interesting one to me. He is deeply flawed and has done some very terrible things. However, he will do whatever he can to be forgiven and he proves that when he battles Neferet; only to find out that he can no longer control darkness. That was perhaps one of my favorite scenes of the book. Another scene I loved was when Zoey's Grandmother, Sylvia Redbird, takes on Neferet via the use of Native American charms and magic. 

I loved loved loved this element of the story. The Cast's mix in elements of Wicca and Native American religion and Greek mythology into these books. Which is a great and fresh take on the vampire storyline; and honestly is another reason I was so anxious to give the series another try. All in all, I do not regret listening to the audio book (yes I know that's cheating lol). However, I did give the book 3/5 stars on Goodreads. I downgraded it a three because of the overly sexual scenes in the book. Like the last book these made me extremely uncomfortable because some of it read a bet like a bad Paranormal romance when the book is written for a YA audience. I am not trying to be judgmental or anything but the sex could be completely avoided because it does not enhance the story line; and again these books are marketed for kids from middle school to highschool age. I have read several YA authors that allude to sex in their books but they are not as vivid with it. In my opinion that's a fine line that should not be crossed in YA unless you can deal with it responsibly. 

Here are some of the quotes I loved from the book...

 

Jane Austen, Mysterious men and Bookselling: The Bookbabe Reviews First Impressions by Charlie Lovett

                                         

       

Howdy Bookies, I am back with yet another review of something Jane Austen related. A few weeks ago I read First Impressions by Charlie Lovett; a book that questions the true authorship of Pride and Prejudice. What bought me to this book was the fact that I had read and  LOVED Lovett's The Bookmans Tale last year. This book was definitely not a disappointment.  Basically the books main character Sophie Collingswood is an Austen fan, and general book lover. She gets caught up in the mystery of the murder of her beloved uncle and a mystery involving her beloved Austen; with a bit of romance and danger added in. What I really loved about this book, like Lovett's other novel, is that the characters are 100% relatable. Sophie is everything you love in a  bibliophile; she is intelligent, well read, overly protective of  books, and quick on her feet. Sophie comes from a seemingly well to do family that had a long history of publishing in its blood. However, her father is not a fan of books, or even reading. He finds the family library to be unnecessary, basically it is a waste of space and since most of the books are first editions of collectables they can be sold off to the highest bidder. The only person standing is his way is Sophie's beloved Uncle. Who won't allow his brother to sell even one book in the family library. Sophie's uncle is the reason she loved books; he is the reason she is found of old books and behind her as she studies Library sciences at Oxford. So when he suddenly is found dead in his flat Sophie just can not seem to accept the cause of this demise. She is determined to prove that someone murdered him; in fact, the quest almost costs her her life. 

What I really loved about the book was that it bounced back from Sophie's time period to the regency period, in which, Austen lived. Lovett writes in Austen's voice so beautifully that it made me feel like I was re-reading one of my favorite novels. He made Austen come alive in a way that I have never seen other authors do. Another thing that was extremely impressive was the balance of innocent romance and suspense. There was just enough romance to make you swoon and enough suspense to keep you up at night wanting to finish the book in one sitting. I am happy to say that I took my time reading this book so that I could throughly enjoy it. It was the well developed characters and the artful balance of romance and suspense that lead me to give First Impressions 5/5 stars on Goodreads. 

I definitely see this book becoming one I give away to fellow Austen fans.

Favorite Quotes:

"A bibliophile raised in a family that does not know the word...that's me"

(it was this moment that let me know Sophie was set to be my literary BFF of the moment)

"A good book is like a good friend. It will stay with you for the rest of your life. When you first get to know it, it will give you excitement and adventure and years later it will provide you with comfort and familiarity. And best of all, you can share it with your children or your grandchildren or anyone you love enough to let into its secrets"

"Let me ask you this, Miss Austen. Are you able to prevent yourself from writing?"

"Indeed not. I find that my stories will not cease to crowd all other thoughts from my mind until I have committed them to paper"

"...Then, Miss Austen, let there be no doubt about it - you are a novelist"

"It is only when we attach happiness to those things which are worldly and unimportant that our lives become corrupted"

For more information of this book go to www.goodreads.com

Please be sure to follow me at www.facebook.com/thebookbabeofde and www.delawarebookaddict.blogspot.com

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! 

Magical Jewels, Traitors, Evil Immortals and a bit of mystery: My Review of The Queen Of The Tearling

                                       

                         The Bookbabe Reviews: The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johnasen

I came upon this book last year during the summer but had not decided to purchase it until I saw it in paperback this spring. I had heard some wonderful things about it. Calling it Hunger Games meets Game of Thrones; honestly I do not understand the Hunger Games reference but, it does have that GOT feel. In The Queen of the Tearling, Johansen gives us a head strong, unlikely young Queen in Kelsea Raleigh. Kelsea is a bookish, plain and slightly overweight young woman. She has spent the past 19 years of her life living in secret and away from "The Keep" and the problems plaguing her homeland. She is taught history, politics, war strategy, etc. However, nothing prepares her for being taken from the only home she has ever known and being whisked away to New London and "The Keep". Once there Kelsea has to witness the hell that her subjects live in. There is little or no food, jobs, medicine, doctors, and educational opportunites. Worst of all villagers names at put into a lottery at birth; and once a month folks are chosen to be taken as part of a shipment to Mortmense. This shipment helps keep the peace with the Red Queen of the Mort; it was part of the treaty between Kelsea's mother, Queen Elyssa and the Queen. Once Kelsea witnesses the men, women and children being loaded into cages she orders her guard and the army to stop the shipment. Stopping the shipment means that she has now violated the treaty; giving the Red Queen the right to invade the Tearling and take its citizens by force. During the course of the novel we see Kelsea try to come to terms with what she's done but we also see her trying to right some wrongs within her kingdom. This includes  getting rid of the Regent, her uncle. We see him expelled in grand fashion during the first assassination attempt when Kelsea is wounded. It is during this moment that I really begun to respect the character. Kelsea has what it takes to be queen and she will not back down. This becomes an important character trait as we approach the climax of the book. 

Johansen also does an amazing job at leaving some very poignant and important questions hanging in the air; and even though they go unanswered  they do not overshadow the novel. Such as where did the Red Queen come from? Why does she not have a name? Who is Kelsea's father, and why does no one know? Also, how did a modern America end? The latter question is the most interesting to me because Kelsea mentions the "crossing" and America frequently; not to mention J.K. Rowling's seven "volumes" and Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. The saddest parts of the book comes when one of the queens guards is found out for treachery. This is the point where we see what type of person Kelsea is: compassionate. What she does in the moment is sad and heartbreaking even though it is necessary. 

Another thing that I loved about this book was that the author really builds the tension. Making it every easy to keep the pages turning and yearning to find out what happens next. Of course, the story did have its bumps and the beginning is very slow. Also, there are things that are mentioned in the beginning that are not thoroughly explained and we all know what a turn off that can be. But overall I liked it. I will definitely read the entire series because I just need to know what happens to Kelsea but also because I want to know more about the Red Queen.  

Quotes I Loved:

" I am death. I come quickly, I come slowly, but I am not cheated"

"Everyone dies eventually. I think it's better to die clean" 

"Barty always used to say there were three things men were stupid about: their beer, their cocks and their pride"

"Even a book can be dangerous in the wrong hands, and when that happens, you blame the hands, but you also read the book" 

"I see this land flowing with books, Father. Widespread literacy. Books everywhere...."

"Children conceived by this woman would only be cannibalized by her womb....."Then you don't risk in the lottery, do you? You have no children, you don't look strong enough for labor, and you're really too old to appeal to anyone for sex."

"Once, he'd explained to Kelsea that addiction wa like having a crack in your life. "It's a deep crack, Kel, but you can build guards around it. You can put up a fence."

"I've been dead since the invasion, sir. It's only the past few years I've begun to rot" 

For more of my reviews be sure to follow me at www.delawarebookaddict.blogspot.com and www.facebook.com/thebookbabeofde

Sexy High Fae...Oh my! The Bookbabe Reviews: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

The Bookbabe Reviews: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

My final book for review for June is Sarah J. Maas' A Court of Thorns and Roses. I really don't know why I waited almost two months to read it after its release date. Especially since I knew that I would not be disappointed. This book had me tweeting her for information on the next book's release date. There is so much to love about this book. But what really stands out is that we meet a very different female lead than that of her previous series; Throne of Glass. In Feyre, we find a vulnerability that is often missing from the heroines in most YA novels. She is both tough and soft hearted. She wants nothing more but than to be able to support her family. When the book opens we find Feyre in a snow blanketed forest as she hunts for food. She is battling internally with being both mother and father to her family. (Even though her dad is alive.) She has to take on some very important tasks that most younger siblings would not have to; especially since her family has so recently fallen on hard times. While in the forest Feyre kills what appears to be a wolf and this set into motion something even Feyre would never expect. As the story progresses we meet some very interesting Fae characters. Chief among them being Rhysand, Tamlin and Lucien. In these three we really find all the characteristics that we hope to find in Maas' male characters. Tamlin is frustrating but gallant, hilarious, and sexy as all hell. Lucien is a bit of a jerk at first; then he grows on you like a fungus. By the end of the book you have a deeper appreciation of him as a character. Another character that I came away loving was Rhysand. Though I have a funny feeling that his court scheming and his help in the downfall of their "queen" well come back to bite Feyre and Tamlin in the behind. What I loved most about this book is that its a take on Beauty and the Beast; however, Maas took it in a very interesting and highly entertaining direction. I can not wait to see what happens in this series of books.

I would recommend this book to any fan of Throne of Glass, Game of Thrones and YA fantasies. 

  

Quotes I loved:

“Do you ever stop being so serious and dull?"
"Do you ever stop being such a prick?" I snapped back.
Dead—really, truly, I should have been dead for that.
But Lucien grinned at me. "Much better.” 
 

“I love you,’ he whispered, and kissed my brow. ‘Thorns and all.” 

“I love you," I said, and stabbed him.” 

For more reviews feel free to follow me at www.delawarebookaddict.blogspot.com

Anyone can betray anyone.....The Bookbabe Review of Red Queen by Victoria Averyard

The Bookbabe Reviews: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

What can say about this book? Well, at first I had a very difficult time getting used to the writing style. And honestly for the life of me I just couldn't get into it. I kind of chalked it up to the fact that I started with the audiobook. Which was beyond dry. After I ditched that I had no problem getting into the story. Mare (our main character) lives in a society that is divided by the types of blood you are born with. Your either a red or a sliver. Red's are neither special or talented. Sliver's are special, considered talented and have special gifts. Both are factions are ruled over by a cruel king and his family. Mare does not really think about them much; in fact she has never even seen the royals. It is not until she breaks curfew to steal a few things to help out a friend that she  meets a handsome young man that will change everything. Due to an uprising in the slivers precious town several Red's are attacked and Mare's little sister is hurt in the process. This leads to Mare being "arrested"; and this is when all hell starts to break loose and things get interesting fast. This is where I could give you lots of juicy spoilers but I am not that type of reviewer (as you well know), so on to what I loved about the book. What I found most intriguing about the book was that there were some hints as to who might just betray Mare. She was duped right up until the end and honestly I was hoping that it was not the person it was. Also, I see a different love triangle emerging and I am hoping that the handsome strange I mentioned earlier wins Mare's affections. Of course I have to wait until February 2016 for the next installment in the series. All in all I give the book four stars.

Who would I recommend it to: Fans of Hunger Games and the Throne of Glass Series

Quotes I loved: 

"Revolutions need a spark....and even sparks burn" - Julian to Mare

"The truth doesn't matter. It only matters what the people believe."

"I am finally leaning my lesson. Anyone can betray anyone."

For more reviews feel free to follow me at www.delawarebookaddict.blogspot.com

*photo is by epic reads, not my own*

A Witch, A Vampire and a book; whats not to Love?

The Bookbabe Reviews: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

I can not believe that I let this gem sit on my shelves for so long (almost three years). I remember it as one of the last books I purchased from a closing Walden Books location. What can I say about this book? I feel like I was taken away to England on a sea of wonderfully and imaginatively written prose. Deborah Harkness delivered everything you can expect in a Paranormal romance.  There is a very likable main character,  a distant and shadowy love interest and lots of drama. What I enjoyed most about the book was that Harkness has such and amazing way at describing the places and people that both Matthew and Diana interact with. Harkness also is very careful to slowly reveal bits and pieces of the characters at just the right time. The way she builds  the intensity of the drama is awe inspiring. It goes without saying that I have not read a book this good in sometime; especially in this genre. One thing that I really loved about the story was that Harkness was in no rush to get Matthew and Diana into bed; in fact she has the couple "married" off but they have not consummated their marriage. In so many paranormal romances readers often see the characters taking to the sheets in no time flat. I loved that Matthew Clarimont takes on the role of a night and shining armor and wants to protect his lady love; and is okay with "courting her".  Even though this frustrates Diana to no end no doubt. I can honestly say I was in love with Matthew Clarimont's character from the moment he decided to protect Diana in the library. I was also even more in love with him after we are introduced to his family; we get a get to see his devotion to them and we start to learn a little more about our lovable vampire. I really can not wait to see if some of my theories (which I can not post here because they would spoil a good read) about the characters come to past. I would recommend this book to anyone that is interested in a complex story with complex characters and high drama. If you love all things witches, vampires and daemons then check this out at the library or buy it at your local bookstore.

Quotes I loved:

"the smell of the library always lifted my spirits-that peculiar combination of old stone, dust, woodworm, and paper made properly from rags"

"As far as I can tell, there's only two emotions to keep the world spinning, year after year......One is fear. The other desire."

The Bookbabe Reviews: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

So finally, I have finished The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion and can I just say that I fell madly in love with the main character Professor Don Tillman right from the start. There were so many reaons why I feel like I was fated to love this book; chief among them is the main characters geek status. Don is what you would stereotypcially expect a genetics professor to be. He is clinical, a bit cold and odd. Don is also tired of being alone and enlisted his close friends in the "Wife Project". The project is doomed from the start and we get to follow Don a few dating adventures that leave him mortified and leaves us in tears laughing at their absurdity. As a means to shake things up Don's bestfriend Gene sets him up with Rosie; a smoker, that works in a gay bar and dressed "weird". Don sees her as unsuitable and is determined not to even consider her as wife material. Their first "date" starts off hilariously when Don gets in a fight with security and the maitre d' of the resturant over his lack of a proper dinner jacket. After this the relationship with Rosie just happens. Don enlists himself to help her find her biological father; this goes against his better judgement and he is also breaking a few universtity rules to help her out. The "Father Project" could end up causing Don a lot in the end but the rewards could also be so much greater.  One of my favorite moments of the book happens close to the end; Don after a conversation with Gene and After returning home from New York comes to the conclusion that he is in love with Rosie. The revelation allows him to see that change and maybe letting go of some of his rigid ways might be the only way to really win the heart of the one he loves. I  honestly enjoyed the book and can not wait to see what happens in Book 2: The Rosie Effect.

Rate: 4 Stars

Favorite Quotes:

"Time has been redefined. Previous time zones no longer apply. Alcohol is hearby declared mandatory in the Rosie Time Zone"

"Sixteen," I told him. "Second - highest score ever." 

Gene looked at it. "Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Do I have to point out that you haven't had a baby recently?"

The Bookbabe Review's ......... Until I Saw Your Smile by J.J. Murray

J.J. Murrray is back at it again with this tale of love and this time at all happens in a little coffee shop in Brooklyn. Matthew McConnell is a recovering corporate laywer who is trying to get back into the dating   scene; after being left by his girlfriend Joy. From the moment that I read this you start to feel a little bad for Matt. Joy has left him for a foreign exchange teacher and has taken almost everything in his apartment. Including the food in the fridge, the towels in the bathroom and his crappy microwave. All this leads him to call up a former coworker for his first date from hell. After being scared off by a certain womans condom collection he wanders into Smith's Sweet Treats & Coffee; and in enters Angela its pretty owner who instantly feels the need to chat Matt up. She gets a kick out of his bad date stories. As the story goes on Matt continues to have bad dates; one with a recently released felon, a Christian woman lusting after her pastor and a woman that feels the need to bring her bestfriend on the date. After each date from hell he goes back to Angela's coffee shop and devours her houseblend coffee and treats. Its not until he goes on his final date from hell that he begins to really see Angela. He is deteremined to breakthrough her defenses and boy oh boy does that take a lot of work. Angela has a lot of reasons to mistrust him. Mainly she thinks he is a player but also she is hiding a pretty big secret that makes opening up to someone really hard. As things move on Angela slowly falls in love too and opens up to Matt. They become not only partners in business but eventually in life.

What I Loved about this book:

Angela and Matt's relationship was extremely realistic, funny and loving. Murray told this story almost completely from Matt's prespective. You get to see him fall in love slowly and want to build something lasting with Angela. Matt makes sure to follow her lead; and by doing so he gains her trust and love in return. Also, for a romantic comedy (of sorts) J.J. Murray doesn't over do it with sex. He adds just enough at the right time, and its sweet and loving and beautiful. Also, Murray touches on some really heavy issues in this book. Which I can't reveal because that would lead to a huge spoiler (and I don't want to ruin this book for anyone). 

Favorite Quotes: 

 1) "Who lies about dropping six grand on a dress with a first, middle and last name? For six grand, it had better have a social security number and give you a tax break for living in your closet"

2) Matthew to Warrick: "I look forward to meeting you face to face, or are you to much of a coward? You like hiding in alleys and preying on defenseless women. Really, Warrick. Calling you a pussy would be a compliment."

I give this book 5 Stars and would gladly recommend it to anyone that enjoys a class boy meets girl romance.