City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

There's some new baddies, more fighting and lots of hot kisses!

I know that most readers have been swooning over Jace, but I was never one to be attracted to self-loathin, over compensating studs.  My initial character crush was Simon, and this installment of the MI series, has sealed it.  I was hardly upset at him seeing both girls; I genuinely believe that it was to spare their feelings.  He wasn’t trying to dog them.

This story picks up about 2 months after City of Glass ends.  We find the group adapting to their new pairings and situations.  Simon is wrestling with how to deal with his family and being a vampire. Since he has refused to join any clans and is having to learn the vampire rules, regulations and tricks on his own, while being wooed to form alliances. 

Jace and Clary…of course have a great 2 months and then the relationship gets rocky.  What was incredibly cool was Clary’s new found fierceness.  Her training is paying off, she was kicking demon butt, and solving some problems. 

Kudos to Clare for keeping true to her characters’ traits and everyone still being them. I did see evidence of some personal growth in Clary and we were able to hear more of Simon’s point of view, but Clary was the one that had the most growth from the crew.  The way that she dealt with Jace’s dumb behavior was more mature than it would have been in the past three books.

My other favorite character, Magnus Bane, was MIA most of the book. He and Alexander were travelin’ together, even stopping in South Carolina, hmmm.  Good for them.  I like how Clare handles SC in her books.  Eluded to, left up to your imagination, slow but hot…keeps you coming back for more.

I’m not going to lie, the ending made me angry.  It’s like watching a soap for a few years, waiting for that super couple to finally get together and when they do, in comes the villain and throws a monkey wrench in their love.  Sooooooo although I was peeved about the ending, I’m also intrigued and what comes next.  Why? ‘Cuase I’ve grown to care for these characters, I’ve vested in what happens to them, so I relax.  Then I find out I have a whole year to wait for the next one!!! What!

I actually re-read the book.  I read it the first time in such a crazed frenzy that I needed to re-read again just to make sure I got everything.  Made me think I might re-read the first three again just because.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Depression Era romance novel, just the time period alone makes me wanna swoon. 

There’s a boy and there’s a girl, and then there’s her husband (who is crazy), and the elephant that doesn’t understand English.  Makes for a crazy journey…oh what a story!

Jacob Jankowski grows up humbly with his parents which are Polish immigrants, they raise him with good morals.  He wants to follow in his daddy’s footsteps and be a veterinarian.  They die in an accident on the day when he sits to take his finals.  Devastated by their deaths and the knowledge that he is completely in debt, he takes to walking by the train tracks in hopes to get to the big city and get a job.

He ends up hopping  a train, that is carrying a circus.  The story revolves around his relationships with the circus workers and how he adapts to this new culture.  For the first time in his 22 years he sees what real desperation, hunger and sex looks like.  He also falls in love for the first time.  With the wrong girl of course. 

Marlena, the star performer of the circus is marries to August, the ringleader.  He is the moodiest man ever, can reach dealthy rages in a 30 seconds and then be a sweet bon bon in the next breath.  He is unforgiving, brutal to animals, his workers and even with Marlena.

Jacob loves the animals and then Marlena and wishes he can save them all from August.  The story is told from the point of view of Jacob as a 90 something year old man and as a 22 year old man.  Sometimes I found 90 year old Jacob cumbersome to read through, but other times he was so endearing and hilarious.  Jacob as a 22 year old was sweet and innocent and so incredibly out of place on the circus circuit, but because of his innocence, he was able to win over so many of the people in the circus.

It’s an awesome love story., but not just a love story.  It's also a story of survival. I love that it’s a period novel and the characters are so very rich in detail.  August, as hateful and mean as he is, I still felt compassion for him.  You have this huge group of dysfunctional people that have made themselves into a family.  It was hard to say good bye when this book ended.

Sara Gruen’s narrating is very rich and melodic I would try anything she wrote.

Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

It’s no wonder why Hollywood has decided to make this story into a movie.  It’s got all the elements that make a good movie:

·        Government corruption and abuse

·        Drug and alcohol abuse

·        Action and Danger

·        Pretty people in desperate situations sometimes wearing fabulous clothes

·        Exotic-dangerous locations

·        A love triangle

·        Lethal, funny and eccentric characters

·         Some bloody battles

Mix well!

I cannot gush enough about this story.  I read all three books in less than a week.  I know!! I still managed to feed the family, stay employed and bathe.  Someone in my family questioned if I was neglecting my peoples because of the reading frenzy…when they start the series, they’ll get it.

The setting of this story is pivotal to the story. It takes place in what is now the USA.  After some apocalyptic tragedies, the land, the people and the governments are broken and hungry.  Perfect ingredients for a tyrannical government to step in.  Keep them hungry and you will keep them at your mercy!  The story takes place anywhere from 80 years from now to 200 years for now. While some of the people live with extreme luxuries and technological advances, some live without doctors and candles.  As most corrupted societies go, there is no middle.

The Capitol, which is the central and controlling government, keeps everyone under control by keeping them hungry and week.  Your food is rationed, your schooling is only about what your district produces and you have no communications with any of the other districts, 12 in all.  No internet or cell phones, the only TV that exists is controlled by the Capitol.  Most of what they play is old tapes of how bad it was before they took over and of course The Hunger Games, a yearly game that is televised for the all to see.

Every year 2 people are “randomly” chosen from each district to compete in the Hunger Games.  Only one person can win, and if they do they are set up for life: new home, money, travel FOOD!  Think of is as Survivor, except you don’t get voted off the island you get killed off the island.  You are playing for your life as well as the well being of whoever you left behind at your district.  One male and one female, starting from the age 12 are selected to go. 

Enter 16 year old Katniss Evergreen, when her 12 year old sister is chosen, she takes her place to spare her sister’s life.  Katniss is already a rebel.  She’s been breaking the law by hunting illegally since her father died in a mining explosion.  Taking care of her sister and her mother, who mentally checked out when her dad died.  The other contestant, Peeta, is a little more privileged and softer than Katniss.

The games are in a simulated arena and taped, edited and then played for the citizens of the districts.  So, imagine mom watching you from home murdering or being murdered.  Everyone is out to kill each other and yet, like Survivor alliances are formed.

Needless to say, Katniss survives…after all there are two more books.

And that’s where it gets really crazy, because just when you think the government is a little crazy by making this game up to control its people, you realize they are a lot crazy.  I thought back to the Roman Empire and how they would entertain people by watching slaves and criminals (people who disagreed with government) and thought, originally, oh, that’s been done before!

But this government in order to maintain its citizens in a docile state it does a lot of manipulating, mucho manipulating and they are not above killing people, children whoever. 

The story will suck you in but so will the characters, they are all flawed humans that under the most horrible conditions make the worst choices…as we humans do.. I loved the fact that the author did this, it’s not realistic that people always do the right thing and that heroes and heroines are perfect.  Even the one prince charming makes does some growing up and becomes less of a prince but a much better person.

This awesome work of fiction (and I hope it stays fiction because this could really happen) is all consuming. I sometimes think I understand (it has some gruesome fights) why schools have banned it, but I also think that it should be required reading. It can be used to teach adults as well as students where we came from, what we are capable of and that we can avoid the harm that we cause each other.

The second book, Catching Fire, while it did more character development I feel was a long explanation of why book 3, Mokingjay, had to happen.  I’m not sure that it was completely necessary, but I won’t lie, I still enjoyed the ride.  Throughout the series there are many thrilling moments.  There are some sluggish moments where Katniss is letting us in on her inner dialogue…a lot.

I love the transformation that most of the characters go through on their journey.  Especially, the changes in Peetah.  I will admit that I want him to be my boy toy, and if I could have a harem of cute boys he would be the first that I would recruit. His job would be to always say the right thing when I’m having a bad day and to keep all the other boys in line.  Not many people may agree with me but I liked him better at the end of the book than at the beginning.  Katniss herself goes through some changes but they weren’t very positive, and I loved that Collins took her there!  Collins wasn’t afraid to get her heroine dirty and risk her fans not liking her.

I don’t think that there is anything that I have ever read that I could compare this series to, what I can say is that it’s been a while since I felt like calling an author and telling her “good job!”.  Sometimes I feel that authors do what they think the fans want them to do as opposed to the direction the story should actually go.  Suzanne Collins stayed true to her story and characters. Another thing that I thought was great writing was how she handled the sex with less is more. There is a lot of violence, but I don’t think it’s any worse than the video games or music videos that most teens play/watch.  So when I found out that the trilogy made the challenged list I was surprised.

The ending was completely satisfying and sweet without giving me a toothache.  It was perfectly underwhelming with people still working on themselves.  I can probably dissect each chapter and maybe I will someday, when D finally reads it or if the K’s ever would be willing! I think this is a series that I could revisit again and again, and I’m happy that it’s not dated and my kids will be able to read it and hopefully enjoy it. 

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jaimie Ford



 A few people have commented that my recent book selections of late have been depressingly sad.  The title of this novel fits it perfectly.  With every bit of bitterness there is some sweetness to even things out.  I think this story really does mirror life.

A few things that I noticed lately about my book choices:

• They are period pieces
• They have split narrative, present-past.  I will admit that I don't always enjoy it, but when done well it makes the story richer
• While they take place in the past the history lesson is not crammed down your throat...it's a romantic pleasure historical lesson
• There are some multi-ethnic romances, I dig that!

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet takes place during World War II in Seattle, WA.  Where there is a huge Chinese and Japanese community (learned something new!).  During this time the American government start putting Japanese descendants in camps fearing that they could be spies.  This is the backdrop of the story, but it also drives the plot. 

Henry is a first generation born American Chinese and his father fervently holds on to traditions from the old country, but because of the war, wants Henry to appear as American as possible.  It is the fear of the family that they could be confused with Japanese and be sent to one of the camps, or just be racially profiled.  Plus with his dad there is the added hate that China and Japan have been at war way before WWII.

The truly romantic part of the story is how Henry,  12 years old, falls in love with a school mate that is of course, Japanese.

His father will hear none of it, but Henry is resourceful and manages to continue to see his girl, with the help of other romantic adults.  The battle of wills between Henry's father, customs and even the government make for a great romance.  I think that the time that it takes place makes the story even sweeter. 

Plus! How American to:

• Date someone your parents disapprove of
• Take huge risks
• Be loyal to your friends
• Listen to music your parents would not approve of

This has been the best titled book I have read in a looooong time.

Latte Rebellion by Sarah Jamila Stevenson 4/5 Stars



Delish cover art, LITERALLY, I want to inhale it!

 I chose this book from the YA Debute Author Challenge because I am raising racially mixed children, then as I was reading I realized that it was my story as well!
Without giving too much of my own story, I really identified with the narrator of the novel.  All of the expectaions, whether negative or positive, of your family, your classmate, your co-workers, teachers and society as a whole places on a person, or group of people based on their ethnicity or race.
The narrator really lets us share her anger, fear and angst of being a racially mixed teenager. She lets the reader know what she is thinking at all times, but holds back a lot from her friends and family for fear of hurting them or because she thinks she may sound dumb. 
The back story to the novel is how sometimes friendships grow apart, people grow in seperate directions.  While I was hurting from the main character, Asha, I was also happy that she was growing so much as person to realize when you have to move on.
Since I have this on my Kindle, I really hope to share someday with my own kids.  I'm not sure about people who got their copies in print, but the Kindle version had quite a few typos.  It's didn't take aways from the story in anyway, I'm just sayin...

Quick Summary:
A senior in high school of mixed ethnicities realizes, after an altercation with another student, that there aren't any clubs at her school that address the needs of the student population of mixed ethniciites and starts one. There is and Asian Club, a Black Club and a Chicano Club, none of which she and her two other friends feel they identify with.
At first it starts out as a way to make some extra cash, with a catchy phrase and some t-shirt sales, but as the message reaches more people she realizes that its a real issue.  That 60 years before she was born, her parents may not have been allowed to marry.
Some people don't like her group's message and this is where the conflict begins. Also, she feels that her parents wouldn't understand the devotion to the movement, much less if it's taking time away from her being the perfect straight A student.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

So so so so good. Incredibly good! 

This is a story about two women that keep a friendship going from the the time they were 7 until one of the dies. The friendship starts win the early 1800's in rural China.

I really enjoyed this novel, I got a history, culture lesson and a good story.  There were certain aspects of the story that made my stomach clench, foot binding!  That was an education! I really didn't understand what was involved and the reasons why it was even done.

The story starts with Lily, in her 80's, narrating her whole life.  She says that she can now tell the story because everyone is mostly dead so she wouldn't be bringing anyone shame.  I had a hard time with the story because there was hardly any dialogue, and I love dialogue.  She tells the story of how she and Snow Flower come to be life long friends, arranged by a local matchmaker, and the whole process of being "trained" to be wives. They became laotong, life-long pairs. Their relationship is supposed to be the closest of friendships ever, with contracts written at the age of 7.

Lily grows up in poverty and is taught how to take care of a home and everything that goes wit it.  Snow Flower comes from an affluent scholar family that has great social standing.  They trade knowledge to be able to secure good matches.  This works well for both of them, but once married their lives become very different and one of their husband's family prohibits the other from socializing with the other.  Status is very important to the citizens of the villages and everyone has a role to play.

A women's role during this time is invaluable but definitely not acknowledged, by anyone, not even to themselves.  A mother will tell her daughters how worthless they are, then she goes to her husband's home and and is told by her mother-in-law that she is worthless. A pregnant woman prays that she will not have a girl because they know how hard their loves will be and also because they are worried about themselves. Her only value is to produce sons, the household believe that feeding girls them is a waste of resources.  Although this was one of the most engaging parts of the story, it was also one of the most disturbing. The relationship between Lily and her mom hurt me.  I found this to be more hurtful than the footbinding. No wonder these girls sought solace with eachother. 

I would definetly read more Lisa See novels.

So Shelly by Ty Roth



Beautiful Cover Art-Made me swoon.



As I was investigating the February list for the Debut Author Challenge, the cover for this title struck me first.  I loved the dark romance of it. I was then further intrigued by the author because he was a English high school teacher and college professor.  I figured that was why his main characters were named after romantic authors of the 16th century: Shelly, Keats and Byron...little did I know.

    The story was very scandalous and I couldn't believe that this was considered a YA title.  Really! It was a lil' on Jerry Springer side.  There was some bbisexuality, incest, molestation, terrorism, underage sex and prostitution.  And, yes, all three main characters were writers.

    It seems that lately all the books that I have been reading have not had a linear storyline.  They all go back in forth, or start in the present and then start go back, or just go back in forth throughout the book as in the case of So Shelly.

     The story is narrated by the Keats, whose life mirrors in many small details the life of John Keats, the romantic poet.  He is telling the story as it was mostly told to him. What he actually saw happen was minimal...so it wouldn't hold up in court.

    This is a modern version of the lives of the romantic poets.  It's their stories, modernized for for today, which seems to be a trend with YA authors.  There's texting, emailing, blogging and DVD's and no birth control. 

     Roth conveniently has his writers all attend the same HS.  Shelly dies and leaves instructions for the other two in case of her death.  When Shelly was alive, both Byron and Keats were friends of hers, but not friends with each other  In death, she made them work together and the reminiscing begins.

     I know I have complained about storytellers not being linear in the narrating, but I didn't mind it so much here.  I think Roth did very well.  I like that his narrator explained that he was gifted, because honestly, on of my pet peeves is when adult authors forget that they are telling the story from the point of view of a teen.

     I got a history lesson with a great story.  Bryon's fictionalized character lives up to his the real Lord, club foot and all.  I would recommend this dark and brooding story, there was a short period of about 5 pages where I lost interest, but it was a fast read because there was always something hot happening. 

    Read it!