People are Idiots and I can Prove It!

People are Idiots and I can Prove it by Larry Winget

What was this book about?
Ever complained about something in your life not going well? Your business? Your weight? Money? Your children? Life in general?

This book is designed to help you take charge of those things. Larry Winget (the author) realizes some things are out of your control - but that generally speaking we make our lives. So if you want to be something or have something - do something about it. Stop sabotaging everything you do.

What did you think about the book?
If you aren't ready for an in your face, blunt style of writing then this isn't the book for you. In some cases (for me at least) this didn't hurt my feelings but instead told me outright some of the things that I probably already know - but don't think about. It made me want to do better - stop moaning about what was wrong and instead do something about it.

For me - the book was especially "funny" - because I felt like much of it was being read by my father (in fact I probably will pass this book on to him). Some of the things that Larry talks about are those kinda common sense things that my dad always tells me. Stop complaining that you don't have enough money - do something about it. Stop complaining that you aren't thin enough - do something about it. Stop just following the masses.

I have yet to do the real book involved in reading this book - actually making the lists the author wants me to. Which to the author probably means that I don't really want to change. But I think either way this is a nice step forward.

So if you want an interesting book that will keep you entertained with family stories and the truth, meanwhile teaching and motivating you to move your life forward in the direction that you want it to go in - this is the book for you!

What genre would you consider this?
Self Help

Overall:



Question for You!
What do you want to change about yourself?

Wake

Wake by Lisa McMann

What was this book about?

Janie has a secret. Ever since she was a young girl she has been able to (or more like forced to) jump into people’s dreams. It is a scary dream world out there and having to live people’s worst nightmares can make it difficult for any teen. She will do anything to keep her secret a secret.

When she meets Cabel she wants to know more about him. But he has his own secrets to keep.

Can Janie figure out a way to live her life with this “talent”? Is there any way she can control it?

What did you think about the book?

First I have to give major accolades to anyone who includes the University of Michigan in their books. I went there. I love it there – and if you cut me I would probably bleed maize and blue. So for me though U-M played a very minor role – I liked that about it.

Normally I don’t enjoy books that are what I call “jumpy”. That they move from thing to thing with short cut scenes. But for some reason (probably the subject of the book) this was fine in this one. I actually don’t know how else you would accomplish the story telling without making it much longer then it needed to be.

So I liked the book. The idea that people dream a lot about things that are bothering them or are symbolic I don’t really know. Many of my dreams make absolutely no sense and are not about any sort of traumatic thing that happened to me (or anything that I wish would happen). I am definitely waiting for “Fade” the next book in the series and will read that one as well.

What genre would you consider this?
Teen

Overall:

Question for You!
What do you dream about?

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Shadow Kiss

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

What was this book about?

Rose Hathaway is a guardian. She is a Dhamphir who must protect her vampire and best friend Lissa. Strigoli (evil vampires who have lost their soul essentially) are out to kill all Vampires and it is the guardian’s job to stop them. There are fewer and fewer dhamphir

Rose is still scared from her last attack on the strigoli that left one of her friends dead. She can’t help but be attracted to her mentor and fellow guardian – Dimitri. But it is forbidden that they get together – they must always be on guard for those that they are to protect – not worried about the other.

But the Strigoli won’t stop – they mean to get anyone they can. Meanwhile Rose is trying to just live through finals. But she is a “Shadow Kissed” soul and no one really knows what that means for her. Lissa is using her magic and there are going to be repercussions – maybe on her own sanity. Their enemy Victor Daskkov that planned the last kidnapping and battle is ready to get back at Lissa and Rose.

What does this mean for Dimitri and Rose? What is really happening to Rose?

What did you think about the book?

Finally some more of the Vampire Academy. For some reason I feel like this book was a lot longer then the others – and that isn’t a bad thing. The main character Rose is fun – she has a difficult life and definitely is older then the others in her school – but yet she faces it with both a teen and an adult perspective.

This isn’t just about vampires and strigoli. It has a teen perspective. What would you do if your best friend could hear all your thoughts? How would you feel if the man you loved was forbidden to you because you had to put someone else ahead of you? Rose faces difficult choices and lives through it all.

What genre would you consider this?
Teen

Overall:

Question for You!
Would you put someone else’s protection above your own love?

Barefoot

Barefoot by Elin Hilderbrand

What was this book about?
Three women connected by blood and friendship decide to leave their normal lives in the city and head off to a cabin in Nantucket. Life has dealt each of them a raw deal – though in some cases partially by their own design. So they decide to get away from it all and focus on themselves by leaving to the beach. In tow are two children who need their own assurances on what life is going to bring them.

Vicki is the mother of the two boys. She was recently diagnosed with lung cancer – she is ready to fight the disease but doesn’t know what it means. Her relationship with her husband is strained as neither can deal with the thought of her possible death. The cancer has changed everything and she just doesn’t know what to do.

Brenda, Vicki’s sister, had a great career as a professor. But a bad decision to have an affair with one of her older students has destroyed her reputation. Add to that the possibility of a legal struggle with her university as a byproduct of the actions she took – and she needs money and she needs it quickly. She agreed to come to get away from it all and help take care of her nephews because Vicki needs help. What does it mean if her sister dies? What about the problems in her life? Can she focus on this screenplay that she is trying to write?

Melanie had a wonderful husband (or so she thought) and a great friendship with Vicki. When the relationship with her husband falls apart when she finds out that he is having an affair with a co-worker she turns to Vicki for help. She joins her on this impromptu “vacation” knowing that while the many fertility treatments that she tried didn’t work, instead she became pregnant the old fashioned way. And she only figures it out after the affair comes to light. Is Melanie ready to go back to her husband? Will he take her back? What does this future child mean to the whole situation?

Josh is a college student who is drawn to the three women and the children. When the opportunity comes up for him to baby-sit for them he can’t say no. Josh has his own traumatic past and these women represent a lot to him. Can they be for him what he needs? What about him being the one thing they need?

What did you think about the book?

I definitely liked the idea of this story. And it was well written and very interesting premise. Three women whose lives have recently fallen apart go away together for a quiet summer.

I loved that the women were flawed – as we all are. None were perfect and knew the correct path that their lives should follow. I think the only reason this wasn’t in my top lists was I just didn’t have enough time with each of the characters to get to know them in a personal way. I didn’t understand why they did the things that they did. I started to and then it ended. When you have flawed people it takes a little while to “like” them. While we are all flawed we don’t want to admit it and it is easier to like characters that only have surface problems.

Things I liked about it: I loved the children – they were fun and playful as all 4 year olds are. I like the exploration of a mother with an illness that could take her away from her family – everyone experiences self-doubt in a situation like this and to expose yourself to that when you have small children is very, very scary.

What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics/Relationship Dynamics

Overall:

Question for You!
If you needed to get away from life – where would you go? Would you take anyone with you?

Violet in Private

Violet in Private by Melissa Walker

What was this book about?

Once again Violet has decided to swear off modeling. She is ready to go to college and be a normal teen again. Vassar though is only a few hours from New York so when her contractual obligations come up – she is willing to jet into the city and take care of them. Violet is also ready to be exposed to a new part of the fashion world – the fashion magazine. She is invited to be an intern at Teen Fashionista and she can’t turn it down.

College is definitely a lot of work. Add to that the fact that Violet is very confused about her long time friendship with Roger. They kissed and things have just not been the same since! Does she love him – that way? Roger has a girlfriend though – so where does Violet belong?

Violet can’t just turn off her old modeling days. She is known as a model even on campus. Which means people are constantly looking and judging her appearance. She is definitely tired of it and wants to be known for being Violet- not for what she looks like. How can she do that?

What did you think about the book?

Like I said in regards to the last book – I was afraid that half the appeal of this series was the fact that Violet was a model. So if you take out the modeling – would I enjoy it as much? And the answer is yes.

This is the first book where you get to explore a little more of what a normal life for Violet would mean. She is a model – and can’t get away from that part of her existence. But she is so much more. She is a normal teen in college who wants to have friends, be accepted, and find someone to love. But we all know it isn’t that easy.

I can’t say it enough but you should definitely go out and get these books. They are spectacular! They are an easy read (fun) and also have messages that I think are important to teen girls. While because it has to do with modeling a lot of it focuses on body issues – even more importantly they focus on self.

What genre would you consider this?
Teen

Overall:

Question for You!
Was there ever anyone in your life that you didn’t realize you had feelings for (or they had them for you) until it was too late?

Author Post: Melissa Walker - Author of the Violet series

I’m so happy to be here on Blog of Books with Nicole—thanks for having me!

My guest post is about unforgettable style moments in three books, and here are the first three that come to mind…


1. What I Saw and How I Lied, by Judy Blundell. I’ve been trying to tell everyone I know how much I love this book, and its aesthetic sense is part of what’s so fabulous. There’s a scene where almost-16-year-old Evie tries on a dress that I’ve been dreaming about since I read these lines: “The dress fit like a dream, tiny waist and a sweep of silk down to my ankles – a blue so pale and shimmering it was almost white.” Later, Evie calls it a “moonlight dress.” I want one!


2. Gone With the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell. Scarlett O’Hara’s first outfit, what she wears on page 1, always sounded magical to me: “Her new green flowered-muslin dress spread its twelve yards of billowing material over her hoops and exactly matched the flat-heeled green morocco slippers her father had recently brought her from Atlanta.”


3. The Luxe, by Anna Gobersen. Okay, confession: I have not read this book. But I own it, and I want to read it, which counts. Because the style moment is the cover. I know we’re not supposed to judge books by their covers, but I allow myself to judge books with good covers, so that my verdict is positive. It’s a plus! And this pink dress, with its glorious shimmering swells of luscious fabric makes my heart rate quicken. That’s it, somebody throw a ball! I’m getting a ballgown.

I’d love to hear about any literary style moments that have stuck with other readers. Do tell!

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Violet by Design

Violet by Design by Melissa Walker

What was this book about?

Violet was discovered, became the “it” model of the New York Fashion Week and decided she really just wanted to quit. So she went home to relax. Meanwhile she gets an opportunity that she doesn’t think she can turn down – the Sao Paulo Fashion Week. I mean who wouldn’t want to go someplace like that?

So she goes. And gets back into that world she had left behind. She meets Paulo- designer extraordinaire who seems to have a thing for her. But is he true – or is he just using her. Her old roommate is back – Veronica – and finally healthy. She seems to realize that Violet is a friend and she should treat her like one. Wasn’t she the only one to stand by her back then?

But being a model is tough. Add to that a lot of criticism about Violet’s body. Is she too thin or not thin enough? What happens when you think you look good but everyone around you is telling you that you don’t? Is Violet willing to do anything to be a model this time around?

What did you think about the book?

So if you haven’t guessed there is a reason that I am having a “violet” week. And it is because I enjoyed every book in this series. I have to say with both this one and “Violet in Private” I was afraid I would not like it as much because she doesn’t want to model. But it really wasn’t a problem. (Especially in this one because well she decides to give modeling another try).

I also really appreciated the body issue talk. Every person has something about themselves that they would like to change. And it is true that in today’s society we put a lot of measure on people (especially models) being very skinny. And we all know that it is more important to be healthy then anything else.

And in the recent past we have encouraged designers to not use bulimic, aneroxicly skinny models. So they are doing their best to do so. But not always with the most sincere actions. Making a statement is not the same as acting.

I think that any girl who is a young adult would appreciate this series (in fact I am trying to think of every person I know that age that I can recommend it to). And I may not be a teen – but I enjoyed it as well!

What genre would you consider this?
Teen

Overall:

Question for You!
Have you ever had body image issues? How did you find a way to live with them?

Interview with Melissa Walker

How did you come up with the inspiration for Violet?
My time at ElleGirl especially gave me insight into the fashion world and how newer models live in NYC (which can be glamorous, scary, thrilling, and a little dark all at the same time). That knowledge kind of overlapped with my long-time dream of writing a teen novel about a small town girl in the big city (original, right?). The fashion world thing gave it more focus and helped me nail down the plot.


You have worked in the fashion world (ELLEGirl and Seventeen) - do you
think you portray the world accurately?
I think I portray it through my own eyes, as a girl from North Carolina who grew up outside of that world and then suddenly got a glimpse of it. So what I noticed--and wrote about--are probably different from what others might see. But yes, I did aim to portray that world as accurately as possible.

Is there anything you wanted to put in your books but couldn't because
it is geared to Young Adults?
Nope--I did everything I wanted to do. I've had some comments about Violet drinking, and the way people swear in the books, but I wrote a certain reality and didn't hold back, and my editor didn't ask me to either, which was nice.

How many more Violet books do you think you will write? Do you have
ideas for another series?
I think the 3 is it for Violet--she stands as a trilogy! My next book, LOVESTRUCK SUMMER, is a standalone teen romance set in Austin, TX. I'm working on another idea, but I haven't pictured another series yet.

What places in Chapel Hill, NC that Violet visits - were a favorite hang out spot for you?
Oh, all of them! Violet only hangs out where I hang out: Elmo's Diner, Katie's Pretzels, University Mall, Franklin Street... it's a great town!

How did you get the inspiration for your website - iheartdaily.com?
Honestly, my friend Anne and I just had all these things I wanted to write about, like, "Isn't this girl COOL? Isn't this bracelet COOL? Isn't this new band COOL?" and we wished we still worked for a teen magazine so we could point all that out, so we started our own daily newsletter online. It's fun for us!

If you couldn't be a writer (or have anything to do with writing) what
do you think you would want to be?
Hmm... this will sound odd, but I really did love my few years waitressing in college. It was good money, required a sharp, quick mind, and the co-workers were hilarious and smart. I might put waiting tables (at a good place!) as my #2 job.

Was there anything you wish I had asked you about? That you couldn't wait to tell me?
Just this: The book we're talking about this month on readergirlz.com is A NORTHERN LIGHT by Jennifer Donnelly, and it's soooo good! Everyone should read it and then come discuss. I love readergirlz chats.

Violet on the Runway

Violet on the Runway by Melissa Walker

What was this book about?

Violet Greenfield is your average teen living in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Her two best friends are Jill (a want to be writer) and Roger (a hipster in a town that doesn’t quite appreciate it.

Violet has always had body issues. I mean who wouldn’t when you are 6’1” in your stocking feet? She has always tried to hide herself and desperately wants to fit in. But high school is never that easy. When one day a woman notices her at her job in the movie theater – gives her a card and tells her that she should be a model. And this isn’t any trick – this woman is a manager.

Before you know it Violet is on her way to fashion week. How can a girl who used to be ashamed of how she looks fit in the modeling business? Can she become the “it” girl? What about Roger and Jill? What happens when you leave your friends behind to start on a new adventure?

Life isn’t just catwalks and glamor, Violet soon finds out. The fashion industry is a tough world to live in.

What did you think about the book?

I LOVED this book. Yes LOVE with all capitals. Actually I loved the whole series but the first book hooked me in like nothing else. I wonder if everyone has a secret wish of someone coming up to them and asking them if they want to be a model and whisking them off to some exciting new life? Or if not a model – then a singer? Or actor? Or whatever. That dream that you could be someone “special” with just a chance meeting.

To me that is what this book represents. Someone getting that lucky shot. Add to the lucky shot a huge dose of realism. Yes it would be kinda fun to have someone grab you and ask you to be a model – but what affect does that have on your friendships? Is that the kind of life for a teen? It is a dog-eat-dog world out there and not everyone is going to have your back. Does that make you jaded?

What genre would you consider this?
Teen

Overall:

Question for You!
What did you secretly wish would happen to you as a teen? Did you want to be famous? A movie star, a singer, a model?

Five Things I Can’t Live Without

Five Things I Can’t Live Without by Holly Shumas

What was this book about?

Nora is the standard almost 30 something whose life hasn’t turned out the way she always expected. She is single (and wants to be married). Involved with a man who *seems* to love her – but she can’t help but doubt him the way she doubts herself. She has a job that she really doesn’t enjoy but thinks that she has to have it.

So one day Nora decides to do something about it all. She quits her job and tries to find herself. She doesn’t want to be negative anymore. It isn’t easy but it leads her to writing online personal ads for other people. By figuring out the 5 things that can’t live without – Nora may be able to determine her own.

What did you think about the book?

The idea of someone doubting themselves so much and it getting between their relationship seems like one that many people may be able to relate to. Figuring out what is most important to you is something that only you can answer. And without those answers it is hard to live a happy and productive life.

Nora finds herself and by doing that she finds so much more about the life that she wants to live. Everyone should do that.

What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics

Overall:

Question for You!
What are the five things in life you can’t live without?

The Heretic’s Daughter

The Heretic’s Daughter by Kathleen Kent

What was this book about?

Martha Carrier is a mother to three boys and two girls. She isn’t what Sarah Carrier wished she had in a mother. She seems to be strict and mean – not giving Sarah the love and attention that she so desires. But things for Sarah are not as they seem to be. While her mother may seem harsh – she is also one to stand up for ideals.

Told from Sarah’s point of you – this book follows Sarah, Martha, and the rest of the family through a devastating period of time – the Salem Witch Trials. Their friends, neighbors, and even they are being prosecuted for being witches. How do you hold on to your ideals of truth and justice when it could mean death for you and all your loved ones?

What did you think about the book?

I read the Crucible in high school but other then that have neither thought that much about the Salem Witch Trials or read much. But after this book I have to say I would be interested in seeing what was out there. (And I will most likely read the prequel to this book that Kathleen Kent is working on).

For me a huge part of the appeal is that Kathleen Kent is a 10th generation descendent of Martha Carrier. So this is in some ways her story as well. While much of it is fiction (as Kathleen really doesn’t know all that happened) it is also incredibly detailed and accurate.

It makes you so angry to think that any sort of personal grudge could be used against someone as witchcraft. Could you imagine if that happened in today’s day in age? Instead of high school bullies – children could be getting their friends arrested over the slightest argument – if they were willing to lie.

This time period is an interesting one in American history and I was definitely excited to read a book about it.

What genre would you consider this?
Historical Fiction

Overall:

Question for You!
Do you have a family story that relates to history? I have always been intrigued by history and how it relates to my family (but am sad to say I know of no stories that relate my ancestors to some great historical event).

I See You Everywhere

I See You Everywhere by Julia Glass

What was this book about?

Two sisters have very different lives. The older sister – Louisa Jardine – while being artistic is still the more responsible of the two. She wants to have the “perfect life”. Then there is her sister Clem- Clementine. Clem is used to being the younger sister. She flies more on the seat of her pants and seems to almost be scared of relationships and connecting with people on a deeper level.

They have a history of causing each other pain and they can’t seem to understand where the other is coming from. It is not easy being sisters and even though they have very different personalities is it true they can love each other as people not just as sisters?

What did you think about the book?

I have to first start this by stating that I started this book and just couldn’t finish it. Despite this fact I am writing something about it – maybe it isn’t fair – but I figure if I am being honest about it then you can still know what I thought.

I generally finish all books that I read. They can start out horribly and I have hope for it to get better (even though many do not) so I continue on the path. It has to be something to generally just not interest me at all and become almost painful for me to concentrate on it enough to finish it before I will just give up.

Then again maybe it was the holiday’s. Having a million things going on around me made it hard to concentrate – but then I did finish several other books during that time as well.

I think the main problems for me in the book was I saw no redeeming qualities in the sisters. They just seemed blah. And the jumping from perspective to perspective without any warning had me trying through the first part of the section to decide if it had changed and we were listening to the other sister or still on the original one. If it had been consistent in that – it may have held my attention better.

What genre would you consider this?

Family Dynamics

Overall:

Question for You!
What does it take for you to put down a book and stop reading it?

Win a copy of The Terror by Dan Simmons Audiobook

Win a copy of The Terror by Dan Simmons Audiobook (CD- Abridged)

We will be giving away 3 copies.

Same rules apply as usual -
Please comment below if you are interested. Be sure to include some way for me to contact you (if I can't find you I can't get you the book). Three people will be drawn at random on Jan. 29th So enter now!

This contest is eligible to those 18 years of age that are residents of the US and Canada. We will not be able to mail to P.O. Boxes. One entry per person.

All entries are due by January 29th - so enter now!

Also don't forget Win a copy of Sundays at Tiffany's - Jan. 20th

Butterfly Award

Special thanks to Luanne at A Bookworm's World for awarding me the Butterfly Award! I have to say that I am extremely honored and really excited that someone like what I am doing.

Anyway this is a “meme” award, so it gets passed on. The rules for passing it on are:
1. Put the logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3. Award up to ten other blogs.
4. Add links to those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message for your awardees on their blogs.

So I am passing it on to:

• Holly at Two Kids and Tired Book Reviews
  
• Nicola O. at Alpha Heros
  
• Splummer at Just Books
  
• Iubookgirl at Reader for Life
  

Thanks again!

Book Review: Dark Magic

Dark Magic by Cheyenne McCray

Description: Cassia is the daughter of a powerful being. She has only been loaned to the witches on earth. They don’t know who she really is. But when the bad are starting to take over the earth she is going through her own transition into more power. Her power will help her save the earth. But what does that mean for her own destiny?

What Cassia really wants is Jake Macgregor – a human. But she is not allowed to mate with a human. It would mean giving up everything she has always known to live on the earth and be a human. Can their love survive?

More importantly can they survive the war that is heading their way?

Thoughts: The idea that you have to give up everything for a romance is great. Very few would be willing to do that. But it is the true center of romance that you would be willing to do so. This is the perfect story of that with some magic mixed in, some war.

What genre would you consider this?
Romance

Overall: