Whispers From The East, Amie Ali

Rating: 4/5

*I was provided a copy of this book courtesy of Net Galley for an honest review*

The story tells of Ammi, a wife and mother, who fled with her husband from India to Pakistan. Her sons later we find out are in the United States and eventually marry American girls both whom have converted to Islam. This story tells of acceptance, culture and religion and what it means to each of them.

I like the authors writing, the short stories she included between the chapters and her knowledge and explanation especially when someone doesn't know much about Islam. I was easily consumed by this book and was fascinated at the roles of 2 women who basically wanted the same things and how they went about getting it and what happened after receiving it. 

The only issue I have with this book is how it ended. I wanted to know more and was disappointed because I really want there to be a sequel.There are unanswered questions and this will always make me wonder. Definitely a great read as a family saga and cultural reading. 

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A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Rating: 5/5

For my first Patrick Ness read, I absolutely loved it. A powerful book that forces you to look at the truth while going through the obstacles of acceptance, forgiveness, hate, abandonment and love. 

Connor is a young boy whose mother is receiving chemo treatment, staying positive and believing that they will overcome this he still has to deal with the bullies at school, a grandmother who shows him no love or affection, and a father who left him and his mother and has moved to the US and now has a new family. 

The truth is hidden deep within and it takes a monster appearing to him every night to bring forth all that Connor can't or won't accept. You will know the outcome before it happens, it's just of matter of how we react and if we, like Connor, accept it by.......letting go. 

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A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

RATING: 5/5 

“He left me, and I took a gasping breath, not realizing I'd been holding it.”- Sarah J. Maas

*A review of this book can also be found on my Youtube channel under the videos tab*

                                     

This was my first Sarah J. Maas and I loved it. I've had the book on my shelf for a few months not really knowing what it was about. I finally picked it up and could have hit myself over my head but I didn't want to damage the book. Why did I wait so long? Seriously, why?

 This is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I know there are other books out there that retell the story but I haven't read any of them so I have nothing to compare it to. I loved the characters in this book, I'm torn between Tamlin (Beast) and Lucien (his Emissary). I loved Tamlin for being a ferocious, big, intimidating High Lord who when around Feyre (Beauty) is sweet, protective and loving. Lucien is the one who wasn't too fond of Feyre and was absolutely divine and funny. In the end they needed and helped each other out. I love the magical creatures, the story line, the adventure, the anticipation of what would happen next. I would definitely recommend this book. It's definitely one of my top reads for 2015. 

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The Martian by Andy Weir

Rating: 5/5

“I started the day with some nothin’ tea. Nothin’ tea is easy to make. First, get some hot water, then add nothin’.” ― Andy Weir, The Martian
 

*A review of this book can also be found on my Youtube channel under the videos tab*

For a person who has only watched a handful of space movies and never read a science fiction book, this one really did it for me. I was concerned that the technical terms would be complex and difficult to understand but that wasn't the case. There are a lot of details in this book but the author was able to explain it in lay-men's terms and therefore I was able to understand and get through it with no problems.  

I loved the humor of the character Mark Watney, the challenges he faced, his determination to resolve the issues he came across, his dedication and the motivation throughout the whole ordeal all with sarcasm. As I approached the end of the book, I became more anxious wanting to know what occurs and I wanted things to happen NOW and then they did and I smiled and then everything was alright. Right? Right! Looking forward to the movie coming out, will definitely be watching it. 

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Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

Reading Challenge: A Mystery or Thriller

Rating: 3/5 

"I thought being home might do you some good, but...I forgot sometimes parents aren't always....good for their kids" - Gillian Flynn
 

*A review of this book can also be found on my Youtube channel under the videos tab*

When I first started reading this book I didn't know if I would finish it because it was so slow. It wasn't until I was close to half way in the book before I started getting interested.

The Story: a reporter returns back to her hometown to get facts for a story about 2 young girls who were murdered. Once there we learn the background of her life and that of a dysfunctional family and why she didn't want to return. She has this psychotic, attention hogging, controlling mother and a half sister who at 13 is older beyond her years, a bully, spoiled and an uncontrollable brat.

The storyline was weird. I was annoyed with the half sister "Amma" and how she acted throughout the entire book, the mother was one I would never wish upon anyone, the step-father did literally nothing and Camille the main character would make you at times wonder what the heck she was thinking. BUT, after everything comes together you understand why everyone is dysfunctional and not just the family but the the whole town too. While it did take some time to get into the book in the end it was worth actually finishing it.

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Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

Rating: 3.5/5

This is my first Rainbow Rowell read even though I have had Fangirl and Landline on my shelf for quite some time. Being this book had so many great reviews I decided to make it my first pick of Rowell's book.

The book was a light, funny, easy read. Easily consumes you and makes you want to eagerly find out what will happen with each of the characters. My favorite characters, Beth and Lincoln. I wasn't fond of the intrusive, overbearing mom and Jennifer was a bit depressing and negative, I got tired of her quickly.

The book involves Beth and Jennifer emailing on a daily basis of their life events. The two together are hysterical. Lincoln is the IT guy hired to issue warnings for those emails that have been flagged for inappropriate material. But, he doesn't ever flag Beth and Jennifer's email. He starts reading them, falls for Beth all while trying to get his life together. It definitely makes you think of some of our own emails we have exchanged and who has read them.

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Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee

Rating: 4/5

There are many mixed reviews about this book out there and I'm just going to express my thoughts on what I thought about the book. For those who haven't read it, Go Set A Watchman follows Jean Louise (Scout) in her mid 20's and returns home to see her father, Atticus Finch who is now in his 70s. In their home (he sold the other home which is now an Ice Cream shop) is Atticus and his sister Alexandra who annoys Jean Louise (according to her) at every opportunity. You have to remember this is the South and back in the day so her aunt's perceptive is, you must wear skirts, act in proper manner, don't talk back, don't give anyone a certain look, the family has a reputation, don't do this or that.

Jean Louise I feel, has not changed in character. She's still that rough, challenging, sarcastic girl who easily gets annoyed and wants to argue about everything (in To Kill A Mockingbird, her fist would go up pretty quickly). While home she eventually discovers that her father along with Henry, her boyfriend/maybe one day fiance, are racist.

The book in all honesty was slow to begin with. It centered more on Jean Louise and her relationship with her boyfriend and her constant bickering with her aunt. It really didn't pick up until her discovery and from there that was basically the rest of the book. If this was a movie, Jean Louise's character  should win an award for just the amount of emotion she displayed while talking to her father, a now fallen hero in her eyes. She felt robbed of a childhood with the discovery of her father's thoughts on African Americans.   She saw everyone as equal, she admired Atticus, a brave man who once defended an innocent black man when no one else would, she loved their housekeeper Calpurnia who her father never hesitated to help out when needed yet here he was talking about the white race being superior and blacks shouldn't have the same equal opportunities. Racism is always a touchy subject and still exist, which is evident with all the events currently happening today but I won't get into that in my review. I will say it definitely makes you see Atticus differently and thankful that To Kill A Mockingbird was released first.

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