Thoughts from me!: April 2012

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

A mysterious island.

An abandoned orphanage.

A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive. A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

My Review - I debated giving this four or five stars. And ended up picking four but I'd really give this a 4.5, although I don't know what would have made it better. Anyhow, about half way through this book I started reading reviews that people had wrote on it and a lot of people were only giving it two or three stars. I don't understand why only to think that people just have different taste in reading. Yes this book did take some imagination to read it but isn't that the great thing about reading? Going to different worlds? I absolutely loved this book and am so thankful to Stephanie for winning it! It was amazing. I have to be honest that I judged it on it's cover first. I loved the cover and when I first saw the cover of the book, I thought I need to read that. So it's been on my TBR list for quiet some time. When I won the book I was excited to read it and I loved all the characters in it. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I want to know what happens to Jacob, Emma, Miss Peregrine, Brownwyn, and all the others. Okay I'm changing this to a five star rating cause while writing this I'm loving it all the more!

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Yep you are reading this right, I read Harry Potter! My husband and mom couldn't believe I was reading it! haha

Harry Potter has never been the star of a Quidditch team, scoring points while riding a broom far above the ground. He knows no spells, has never helped to hatch a dragon, and has never worn a cloak of invisibility.

All he knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley—a great big swollen spoiled bully. Harry's room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn't had a birthday party in eleven years.

But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to an incredible place that Harry—and anyone who reads about him—will find unforgettable. For it's there that he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic in everything from classes to meals, but a great destiny that's been waiting for him... if Harry can survive the encounter.

My Review - I can't believe I actually read this. When this book was published and popular I was only 15 years old and thought to myself I'll never read that book cause it just seems silly. Well, my book taste has definately changed in the last 14 years! I thought this book was pretty good. It wasn't one of those that will stick with me and make me think or anything. It was just a good light, fun read. I will read the rest of the series most likely as I'm a little OCD when it comes to series. Rowling had me guessing up until the end if it was Snape or not. I am hoping the next book will tell about how it was when Harry went back to live with Dursley's. Overall I give it 3 stars!

Friday, April 13, 2012

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

On the day she was abducted, Annie O’Sullivan, a thirty-two year old realtor, had three goals—sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother, and be on time for dinner with her ever- patient boyfriend. The open house is slow, but when her last visitor pulls up in a van as she's about to leave, Annie thinks it just might be her lucky day after all. Interwoven with the story of the year Annie spent as the captive of psychopath in a remote mountain cabin, which unfolds through sessions with her psychiatrist, is a second narrative recounting events following her escape—her struggle to piece her shattered life back together and the ongoing police investigation into the identity of her captor.

The truth doesn’t always set you free.

Still Missing is that rare debut find--a shocking, visceral, brutal and beautifully crafted debut novel.

My Review - WOW! I had had this book on my TBR list forever. And I always remember it because of it's cover. (Yes, I do judge a book by it's cover!) But Barnes and Noble put this on sale for your ebook and I had to have it. I'm so glad I read it, this story is amazing. And the wicked twist at the end just left me with my mouth hanging open. I couldn't imagine. The raw terror that was described in the book was just scary. And to know that there are women out there going through this right now who have been abducted is even more scary. Makes me want to double check all my doors and windows. Awesome book and can't wait to read more by this author!