Book Review - Sleeping with Blackbirds, By Alex Pearl

So I have an 8 year old son who I am trying to get to read more.  He does love to read somethings already but lately I am trying to get him to read things outside of his comic books.  He is currently working his way through the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.  He seems to like it.  I have also gotten him the books from the Artemis Fowl series.  We shall see how this goes for him.

I am talking about my son today, because this book review deals with a book that has a child as the main character.  Well really there are a couple of children that this book focuses on.

And on with the show...

Book Title: Sleeping with the Blackbirds

Author: Alex Pearl

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

I want to preface this with saying this was a very good book.  I enjoyed reading it.  That being said, it is not a fast paced book.  It is not a book that is all action and adventure.  It's a beautifully written book about a boy and his birds.  I think that young readers will love this book.

I felt sorry for Roy through out this whole book.  I am a social worker and all I could think about is that this poor boy is being neglected.  My heart reached out to him. When the twist with his parents comes out, I could actually see it all falling into place.  Don't worry, I am not going to tell you what happens, but things do start to fall into place.

I love the relationship that the birds have with this little boy.  They are really involved and I loved how they kept trying to do things to help Roy out.  In the end they made things harder on him, but really they just wanted him happy so he could keep making bird boxes and getting them the food they would need for the winter.  I loved that part of this book.

Pros: The emotion in the story was great.

Cons: A bit slow in places.

Overall rating: Recommended!

Book Review - Dying Embers, by Betty Adams

So I have done a lot of reading this week.  Between insomnia and plane rides I got a few books done that I needed to finish for reviews.  We also have a couple blog tours coming up, so be on the look out for those. 

I really do appreciate all the people who stop by and read the reviews.  I know I am still learning the ropes of things here, but I am really trying to get the hang of things.  I love that I am part of a larger community that does read each other's reviews.

That being said, here we go....

Book Title: Dying Embers

Author: Betty Adams

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

So when I started this book I was little lost. I am glad that through out the book we got more back story but for a while I had no idea why or what was going on. I loved the idea of the book but I honestly think that it would have flowed better for me so that we understand better where each character is coming from.

I loved the alien species. They were definitely not what I was expecting them to be, but I wish we could have seen more of the “bad” side of things. We get small tastes through back story and conversations but we never get to see any kind of interactions with them. To me it was lacking something, but I just can't put my finger on what.

Over all I love the book and it got to me. Let me say, when you start reading this you don't expect to need the tissues, but trust me, you will need them. The plot was great, but I just feel like there was so much more that could have been done with this book. Again, that is where the lacking something comes in. I just don't know where it really is missing something.

After I finished reading this book I thought about it for a while before I started to write this review. When I finished the book I had strong emotions about the whole story but I was unsure how I would rate it. I also felt like I was missing something. I went back over certain parts of the book and still felt missing pieces.

I think that over all what we are lacking is more about the aliens and how they got to Earth, how they ended up where they are. I just think that we need to know why they are working with the government, why they are with the humans. I guess I am just a bit cynical and would think that the humans would not be so open to the interactions we are getting in this book.

Pros: Great idea, love the characters

Cons: Feels incomplete

Overall rating: Great book, would recommend it.

Book Review - Angelfall, by Susan Ee

I realized that not all review blogs have much of anything else on them.  That is not a bad thing, just something I noticed.  I tend to start my posts with a little fluff.  I think it helps me personally so I can get into the flow of writing.  Sometimes I go days, weeks without writing a review and I need to get back into the right mindset.  Does that make sense?

Anyway, I am a huge coffee junkie.  I have to have my cup each morning, sometimes I need way more.  I have days when I go through a whole pot and it's not enough to get my brain out of the fog.  I found this image that fits me so perfectly.

So today's book is one I got from the Kindle Unlimited selection.  Some of the books i find are not worth my time, but this one had me up all night reading it.  I just couldn't put it down and I am all excited that the next book is available for me to get through Kindle Unlimited as well.  I foresee another night of reading and no sleeping.

On with the show.....

Book Title: Angelfall

Author: Susan Ee

This book started out strong.  I loved how you didn't get a sugarcoated, happy start.  You get shove right into the middle of the bad times for the characters.  You have Penryn, the main character, trying to save her mother and sister.  It isn't until you are already vested that you learn that her mother is suffering from a mental illness.  It fit though.  I loved that her issues actually helped Penryn get fro one point to another. 

When I picked up this book for my Kindle, I had hoped that it would be one of those books you can't put down.  I have read some great stand alone books lately but I have been craving a good series to get lost in.  This book is a great start for the series.  I am excited to start the next book.

I was recently asked about my book boyfriends.  When I answered that question, I had not finished this book yet and I have to say that I am fast falling for Raffe.  I think his struggles and his cocky, "I'm better then this" attitude, conflict with each other and there are times when you can see the chinks in his armor. He is definitely how I picture an angel to be, but there is more to him and as you read through the last chapters you can see that he is really struggling with a lot in the world he comes from.

I think this would definitely be a book I would recommend to all the people who love a good series. It keeps you engaged and wanting more through out the whole book.  I think the only draw back I have is that there is some back story missing.  You get how the world has fallen to where it is, but I want more story on Penryn and her family.  And I most definitely want more on Raffe. 

Pros: Massively engaging, great characters, great storyline

Cons: Needs more back story to help understand the characters better

Overall rating: Highly recommended!

Nominated I am! (all Yoda like)

So I log into Goodreads today to get my fix and see what new recommendations there are for me. I was also seeing if there were any new reviews on books I had previously reviewed for the groups I am in.  I love to read other reviews to see if someone liked or didn't like something as much as I did.   Anyway, off topic.  I log in and see that I have two messages.  One is a group message, usually those are about new read to review books.  The other is from Ara the Booksnake (Masako on Goodreads).

I was nominated for the Liester Award!  I have to thank her for that nomination as well.  I was actually very shocked by it all, and I did what she did.  I can say that I Googled it.  I was all, "what is this?" I have not been at this reviewing thing for long, but it is definitely great to know that someone is reading it!  Thank you so much!  Oh, and my husband said thank you as well Ara!!!!!!! *BIG HUGS*
 
That being said, there are rules to this, so bare with me. I will post them at the bottom and all that jazz.  Part of this means I need to nominate some people.  There are several blogs I have been following so let's see if can do this right.

1. I want to nominate Ara - The Booksnake Etc. (she is the wonderful one who nominated me)
2. Selina O'Loan - Dear Book Geeks
3. Kristin - Kristin Un-Ravelle'd
4. Melissa - Around the World in Books
5. Denise - I am Shelfless
6. Kelsi - Ultraviolet Lit
7. Floryie - The Travelogue of a Book Addict
8. Amanda - Feed Your Head
9. Sarah - Sarah's Cozy Book Nook
10. Cody-Leigh - Literary-ly Obsessed

Alright, there are the ten top blogs I read, and they have some great reviews on them.  Here are the questions tagged to me:

1. Do you prefer a book that is written in third person, or one that is written in POVs?

I am actually not that picky with it comes to POV.  I love to read first or third person.  What I love though is when a book will give me more then one person's POV.  It helps me fully understand what is going on.

2. Do reviews have an impact on your book purchases?

Reviews have a huge impact on my book purchases.  If there are nothing but negative reviews I tend to be very leery about reading that book. 

3. What made you want to be a blogger?

Actually this is an easy question, lol.  I love to read and I want others to really be able to know how a book is.  I wanted to share my opinions on books with others.  I can't seem to write the books, but I can read them

 

4. If given the chance, would you like to meet in person the bloggers you've had the chance to interact with? Why or why not?

I want to say yes, but I am a hermit by nature and I think I would be scared.  I am outgoing for my job in the real world because I have to be.  Meeting new people is way outside of my comfort zone.

 

5. What are your biggest book no-nos?

I think the biggest no-no for me is being pretentious with our writing.  Don't write a book to make yourself seem smart.  Using 75 cent words really turns me off to a book.  I am an educated woman, but if I have to spend my whole reading time looking up the words you are using, I will not finish your book.

 

6. Who is (or are) your book boyfriend(s)? Why them?

This one is very hard for me.  Jason Schuyler from the Anita Blake Series is definitely one.  And I am absolutely in love with Doyle and Frost from the Meredith Gentry Series. I think the rest come and go as I read books.  I do seem to have this thing for the dark love interests and the under dogs.  I just can't help myself.

 

7. What is your record for longest time without putting down your book/ereader? (meaning no sleep, no breaks except for bathroom ones and eating, no work stuff)

I read an entire series in 24 hours.  That was about 7 books.  I had the books in hard back and on the Nook I used to have.  When I was done with one book I would just go right to the next.  I would take them to the bathroom with me as well.

 

8. Aside from reading, what are your other hobbies?

I am a video gamer.  I also have started working on my own arts and crafts business, but I really see it as a hobby.  It keeps me happy.

 

9. Would you like to be an author someday? If yes, what genre would you specalize in?

Gosh yes, but I have no ability in this area.  If I was going to write, and I am still trying to write, it would be paranormal romance.  I am not sure if it would be adult or young adult though.

 

10. What advice can you share to fellow bloggers?

I think the biggest thing that was said to me that I want to get out there is that you just need to keep writing, even if you don't think anyone is reading your stuff.  Just keep putting yourself out there.

Here are the questions I would love answers to from you all.

1. What world from a book would you want to live in?

2. What draws you to your favorite genre of books? (If you have several you love, pick one)

3. Do you have a preference, real book or e-reader?

4. How do you feel about books that are made into movies?

5. If you could be any main character from a book, who would you be?

6. Do you have a favorite series that you would love to see made into a movie/tv show?

7. How do you go about picking what books you want to review on your blog?

8. How do you feel about reading self-published books?

9. If you had to pick one book as your favorite of all time, what would it be?

10. Where do you do most of your reading? (bed, couch, at a desk, etc.)

The Rules:

1. Once you are nominated, make a post thanking and linking the person who nominated you. Include the Liebster Award sticker in the post too.

2. Nominate 10 other bloggers who you feel are worthy of this award. Let them know they have been nominated by commenting on one of their posts. You can also nominate the person who nominated you.

3. Ensure all of these bloggers have less than 200 followers.

4. Answer the ten questions asked to you by the person who nominated you, and make ten questions of your own for your nominees.

5. Lastly, COPY these rules in the post.