Outlander

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

After being separated due to their jobs in World War II, native brits Claire Randall and her husband Frank decide to rekindle their marriage on a second honeymoon in rural Scotland. But when Claire accidentally travels back in time through the magical rocks at Craigh na Dun almost 200 years prior her world is turned upside down.  Now Claire is forced to travel with Clan MacKenzie as an English captive in a time vastly different from her own.  This time is no place for a woman, even more so an English woman while the two countries are at war. Claire is desperate to make it back to her own time but after meeting James Fraser a man determined to protect her she is torn between going back to her home and creating a new home with the fierce warrior but tender hearted Fraser.  

I give this novel a 10 out of 10


Now don't let the size of this book intimidate you, it may have the weight of the bible but the story inside is just so worth it.  I got these books from my sister about 4 years ago and the size intimidated me so they collected dust ever since till one day I decided to pick it up and read it.  I am so glad I gave it a chance because it has now become one of my favorite books of all time.  It is a beautiful piece of historical fiction.  It's such a well rounded story, thrilling and filled with heart stopping suspense along with one of the most beautiful love stories that I've ever had the pleasure to read.  And the clear research and time Gabaldon put into her work is so incredibly impressive it allows you to accept the beautifully constructed world of Claire and Jamie. The characters are so real you fall in love with them and hate them and feel their pain.  I recommend this book to anyone male or female looking for a story that will work itself deeply into your heart and stay with you for longer than you could ever imagine.  It is definitely worth the read.
Stay tuned for the 2nd installment of the Outlander series Dragonfly in Amber.

I pray for dreamless nights

The exquisite exhilaration
of letting sobs
rattle your entire body
and rip through your throat
so that you may sleep through the night.

Haiku #4

Do not fear the storm
rain will wash you back to me
my heart for a boat

I am still missing a pearl earring

The thing is, I was just fine before you came along.
And I will be just fine long after you are gone.
When all there is left of me
is a pearl earring
left in your passenger seat

Haiku #3

there is nothing that
can make me feel more alive
than the taste of blood

It's not a haiku, but I still think it's nice

I have never met a weak smile

that did not have a broken heart 

hidden in it's closet

Haiku #2

There will always be
light to guide you home to me
do not forget this

Somethings should not be left unsaid

Ok so it's not a haiku but it's still a little something from my brain, I figured I'd just put it up here. 


Some nights
I wake up reaching
empty
tangled hair
tear soaked pillow
and a throat raw from things unsaid.
Wishing I could tell you,
some things are hard to forget.

Perfect Chemistry

Perfect Chemistry Trilogy by Simone Elkeles

As you can tell from the whole "Trilogy" thing there are three books to Ms. Elkeles romance series.  The Perfect Chemistry Series follows the three (shall I say smoking hot) Fuentes brothers.
In perfect Chemistry we follow the oldest brother Alex as he tries to deal with being a part of the Latino Blood while falling in love with the popular and beautiful Brittany Ellis.  Even though love seems to pull them together can it these two very different teenagers ever really be together?
In Elkeles second novel we follow the second Fuentes brother, Carlos as he travels to Colorado to live with Alex two years later.  Carols is dead on raising hell after the unwanted move but when he starts to have feelings for good girl Kiara Westford will his desires stay the same?
In the final book of the series comes to an end with the youngest brother Louis who lives on the edge and is always up for a challenge, but when meets by-the-rules Nikki Cruz will he be willing to risk it all?

I give this series and 8 out of 10

Now I have read and reread these books over and over.  Yes they are my guilty pleasure.  These books are kind of every white girls fantasy of having the hot dangerous hispanic boy fall in love with them.  As a goody two shoes white girl myself I fell IN LOVE with all three boys, but the thing is if you are not a goody two shoes white girl these books will most likely not appeal to you.  Another snag in the series is essentially all these books are the same.  Boy meets girl.  Boy and girl hate each other. Boy and girl fall in love.  Boy and girl face obstacles.   Boy and girl conquer the odds and live happily ever after.  The end.
But the books are extremely well written and hold your interest through the entire story, so if you're ok with the similar theme's and are looking for a feel good romance novel that won't make you feel like you've lost brain cells in the process, then Simone Elkeles is perfect for you!  She clearly is a talented writer and takes a simple theme and creates a riveting story. So over all if your looking for a riveting piece of literature this is probably not the place to find it.  But if  you are looking for an extremely well written heart wrenching  romance novel that will make your heart pound and your panties slightly wet, then I'd say give this series a try you won't be disappointed.

Mmmm, I just had to include this nice little photo to persuade you 

Spring Awakening

Spring Awakening, Book and Lyrics by Steven Aster

To be clear this is the play book of the show not the book the play is based on by Frank Wedekind (1891) which was actually banned in Germany due to its adult subject matter such as, homosexuality, rape, child abuse, sex and suicide. 

The concept for the play was created in the 1990's and then made it's way to Broadway in December of 2006.  It's success spawned productions worldwide and has made it a very popular musical today.

The play is set in the late 19th century Germany and tells the story of teenagers who due to their very conservative society are forced to discover their confusing desires of sex, sexuality, and love.  The period script is infused with alternative rock music to create one amazing experience.

I give this script a 9 out of 10

It's really difficult to rate basically a script of a show because the text wasn't meant to be read it was meant to be seen. So my rating is strictly on the feeling I got from reading the script not the whole overall show.  

Now I've listened to the music and seen bits and pieces of the show, I've unfortunately never scene it all the way through live.  But I decided to read it because my university is doing it as their spring show and as a theatre student I plan on auditioning.  If I were reviewing the show I'd give it a 20 out of 10, the music and story are amazing and the concept of the entire thing mixing the old fashioned text with the modern rock is just insanely amazing.  But reading the show is unfortunately not the most riveting experience.  Reading a script is pretty bland, if you're interested in the show and want to fully understand it and know what's going on before you see it then by all means reading it would be a great idea.  But if you are reading the script to get the kind of entertainment you would get from watching it, I don't think it's worth it.

Meanwhile wish me luck at the audition in January!

Haiku a Day #1

So along with being an avid book reader I like to dabble in writing quite a bit, mostly poetry and what not.  And the only ways I've found that you get better at writing are: reading more, and writing more.  So I thought I'd give myself a small challenge, sort of like one of my favorite artist's Tyler Knott Gregson, to write a haiku a day just to get me into the feeling of it. So here I go with number one!

I will always know,
the weight of her hand in mine.
Even in a dream

A Child Called It

A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive by Dave Pelzer

This is a nonfiction memoir that follows Dave as a child and his struggles with an abusive mother and a negligent father.  He speaks out about his traumatic childhood and how he was saved.

I give this memoir a 7 out of 10


It's very difficult to rank a memoir.  Clearly the author has very little control over the story itself but they do have control over how the story is told.  If you are going to write a book about your experiences I would think you'd have to know how to write it out in a way that makes it interesting to the general public but still remaining truthful.
It is also hard to review something that is generally seen as a classic.  But I read it so I feel the need to review it.  I actually read this because I had the feeling that it was just one of those books you had to read at some point in your life.  I hate to say it but I was slightly disappointed.  And I am absolutely NOT trying to discredit Mr. Pelzers story in anyway.  What he went through was more terrible than I could ever describe or try to imagine.  I'm not saying his story was not heartbreaking and shocking, what I focused on was the way it was written.  The feel of the writing was very blunt which gave the events a very harsh and flat tone.  I didn't feel like I was reading something in story form but almost like a text book.  The word choices and sentence structure just seemed a bit simple as if written by a child writing a school reflection.  I still think it is an interesting read however and if you've never read it before it's one you should probably add to your list.  But if you're looking for an soul stirring beautifully written piece of literature this might not be it, but it is an honest shocking recollection of a boy and his battle with child abuse.

It's 'Plain Truth' that Jodi Picoult kicks ass

Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult

When a young Amish teen hides a pregnancy, gives birth in secret, and then flatly denies it all when the baby's body is found, urban defense attorney Ellie Hathaway decides to defend her. But she finds herself caught in a clash of cultures with a people whose channels of justice are markedly different from her own… and discovers a place where circumstances are not always what they seem.  And that sometimes the truth isn't always pure.

I gave this book 10 out of 10 stars

I know what you're thinking, a 10 out of 10 on the first book?  But I'm telling you it's a must read!  I personally think Jodi gets a bad rap, saying that she only writes sappy girl books.  Her knack for writing thrilling drama's and the research that she clearly puts into her books is astounding. And Plain Truth is no exception.  It's a thrilling 'who done it?!?!' that keeps you on your toes through almost every page while also giving you a interesting look into the Amish faith.  This book is not for the week at heart and I think Ms. Picoult's books should not be held strictly as a woman's read because if you're someone who likes a serious drama filled with romance, betrayal, nail biting court house drama, and an overall deeply satisfying read then Plain Truth is for you.

First things first...

So I should probably explain my system and why I'm doing this.  The fact of the matter is I'm a book nerd.  I read the way I breath and eat, I need a book with me at all times.  I have a list of "books to read" a mile long and I've read roughly 100 books in the past three years.  So I've decided to start a blog where I review each of the books I read, interspersed with snippets from my life as a freshman in college.
So my reviewing system goes something like this: I read a book, give you a synopsis and picture then my rating, and why I rated as I did.
My rating is a ten star scale, 1 being completely atrocious so don't waste your time, 5 being alright but don't get your hopes up too high and 10 being I loved it and considered it a must read. Hopefully you book nerds out there stumbling upon this site will find it helpful in your search for the next good read.  Any comments or suggestions about my blog or what to read and review next I'm totally open so feel free to comment or message.  Keep reading book nerds!

a funny picture of me to help you feel more at ease