Graphic Novels

*step on soap box*

Let us talk of graphic novels!

People like to give me grief about reading graphic novels and having them count as a book I've read this year. They see my Goodreads reading challenge count go up, and they say it isn't fair. Why is that a problem? You guys can read them too? 

Let us talk of why I have no problem counting them:

1.    They are on Goodreads! I say if Goodreads has them listed, they count!

2.    It takes me the same amount of time to read a graphic novel as it would a middle grade book, and no one gives me grief about middle grade books.

3.    Everyone can read graphic novels and count them as well!

4.    They are still stories. Yes, there are lots of pictures, but I'm still READING! They are just a different genre/style of book.

5.    I just picked up a graphic novel from the library that I want to read, and it is almost 500 pages long!!

6.    Most of the comic books I read are 10 issues in one. 10 comics that I count as ONE!

7.    I think you guys are just jealous of my awesome read count.

8.    A lot of work go into these books, and I really appreciate the art that is a graphic novel/comic.

9.    Graphic novels are NOT lesser books! They are just as awesome!

Last one, but I could go on and on!

10.    Why do you people care if I count them? This is my hobby and joy! Don't be a kill joy!

Thank You!

*stop off soap box*

Waiting for Normal

Goodreads Says:    Addie is waiting for normal.

But Addie's mom has an all-or-nothing approach to life: a food fiesta or an empty pantry, jubilation or gloom, her way or no way.

All or nothing never adds up to normal.

All or nothing can't bring you all to home, which is exactly where Addie longs to be, with her half sisters, every day.

In spite of life's twists and turns, Addie remains optimistic. Someday, maybe, she'll find normal.

Leslie Connor has created an inspiring novel about one girl's giant spirit. waiting for normal is a heartwarming gem. 

My Thoughts:

-    This book okay. I'm glad I read it for book club, but I probably wouldn't pick it up again.

-    A lot of it was slow and boring. This is more of a character driven story, and I really wasn't invested in any of the characters, except maybe Addie.

-    I felt bad for Addie. I felt bad for her situation, and I wanted a better environment for her. She had a lot of people to help her and love her though. She wasn't completely alone or isolated. Not every child like Addie has that much support. The teachers, the people at the store, her step dad, her half sisters, etc. It was a little unrealistic for me because Addie had SO much. support.

-    Addie's mom needs help! Someone at book club brought up mental illness, and how the book didn't portray it properly. I can see that Addie's mom needed help, and she had some major issues. I also think her mom was a big narcissist and burned every bridge she had with anyone her wanted to help her.

-    The book has a very happy ending, and in some ways it just wasn't realistic for me. I'm happy Addie got the fairy tale ending, but again, not every child does. In reality, a lot of kids are in bad situations, and they don't have the love and support, and they often don't get happy endings. 

Top Ten Tuesday: In My Possession

Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

Last Ten Books That Came Into My Possession

Let's do categories again! I'll only count books that have come into my possession in the last week or so.

Given/Bought:

 


Library:

 
 
 


Lots of graphic novels! I'm so hooked!

Two Hearts: When I Said I Do, I Meant Forever

I recieved a copy of this book from the author for my honest opinion.

From the Back of the Cover:    Jaxon Taggot is a good Montana-grown farm boy that is sensitive, hard-working, and strikingly handsome. Any girl would feel lucky to have Jaxon claim her as his own, but Jaxon's heart is fixed on his high school sweetheart, Annie. Jaxon plans a romantic evening, which concludes with his proposal. He asks Annie if she will unite her heart with his, as one, forever.

Annie's mother, a victim of her own failed marriage, forbids Annie to accept Jaxon's proposal, for there is no such thing as true love - that only exists in fairy tales. Annie's heart belongs to Jaxon, always has, and she accepts his proposal against her mother's demands.

But life's challenges set in, mightily testing their love, from infidelity, ranch foreclosure, hired killers hunting them, a brutal grizzly attack - can their Two Hearts remain as one, or will the whirlwinds of life sever their true love forever.

My Thoughts:

-    I've been wanting to read more books out of my comfort zone, so when I was approached to review this book, I thought, "Why not?" I'm glad I accepted!

-    I was a little skeptical of this story. I'm not big on Romance, and this was an Adult book. I usually read YA, and I rarely read a Romance YA.  I was pleasantly surprised by how interested the story was, and how connected I felt to the characters.

-    The book kept me interested the whole way through.

-    I am very impressed on how this male author nailed a lot of a woman's/wife's emotions and actions. There were a few times where I thought Annie overreacted, or was too upset about something, but I don't have the same background as her, so I can't really say how I'd act in those circumstances. Overall, I like how the author handled Annie.

-    Jax is an amazing guy. He is very loyal, independent, and hard working. Plus he is hot and can shoot a gun! I love how he always counseled with Annie during big decisions, and Annie was always the first person he wanted to see and talk to. He was so devoted! 

-    I was really attached to Jax and Annie. I was cheering for them and their relationship the whole way through.

-    There were too many explanations during some parts. It slowed things down a little bit, but not much. The explanations were usually short, but I felt like they weren't needed.

-    The second half of the book really picked up. There were a lot of exciting and eventful things going down. I couldn't stop reading. I just had to know what happened and if everything turned out okay.

-    The last few sentences were a bit cheesy, and I can't believe Annie didn't know! Hello!!

-    Overall, this book is a sweet good clean read. I highly recommend it to romance lovers. 

The Red Notebook

Goodreads Synopsis:    Heroic bookseller Laurent Letellier comes across an abandoned handbag on a Parisian street. There's nothing in the bag to indicate who it belongs to, although there's all sorts of other things in it. Laurent feels a strong impulse to find the owner and tries to puzzle together who she might be from the contents of the bag. Especially a red notebook with her jottings, which really makes him want to meet her. Without even a name to go on, and only a few of her possessions to help him, how is he to find one woman in a city of millions?

The Red Notebook has already been sold in twelve different languages. French TV is making a film of The President's Hat and the movie rights ofThe Red Notebook have been sold to UGC.

My Thoughts:

-    I was so excited to read this translated book!

-    The story reminds me of Just Like Heaven with Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo.

-    What kind of man is curious enough to meticulously go through a lady's handbag? Despite that, Laurent was an interesting guy. I really liked him. 

-    I love all the French culture and words used. I want to visit France!

-    This book made me want to brush up on my French and learn it better.

-    This was a fun, light, and quick read.

-    Reading this made me a feel a little more connected with people around the world. Even though we live on different continents, we are still enjoying the same stories with the same characters. 

-    I write a little bit more about my thoughts on the book in a previous post about translated books. 

Shadow Study

From Goodreads:    Once, only her own life hung in the balance…

When Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. She survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia.

Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands—and protect her relationship with Valek.
Suddenly, though, dissent is rising. And Valek’s job—and his life—are in danger.
As Yelena tries to uncover her enemies, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked.And now she must find a way to keep not only herself but all that she holds dear alive.

My Thoughts:

-    I'm not a fan of the cover. I love the covers of the Study series and the Glass series. This cover doesn't portray the story very well, and it looks rudimentary.

-    I'm a HUGe fan of these books, but this book didn't seem up to par. 

-    The writing seemed elementary at times. There were a lot of short sentences, and several points and thoughts were repeated.

-    I liked learning about Valek's history a lot, but I felt like it should have been a separate book or done differently. The different stories would have made a nice novella.

-    Valek's flashbacks seemed a little out of place. He was super busy and barely had time to sleep, but he spent a lot of time reminiscing. 

-    The book is told from a few different perspectives, and I wish it had all been done from Yelena's perspective.

-    I loved reading about these characters that I love, and I liked going on another adventure with them.

-    There wasn't as much action as I hoped for. Most of the book is traveling and gathering information.

-    Not a lot happened throughout the book to move the plot forward. There was a lot of back and forth.

-    Despite all of my complaints, I did enjoy the book, and I'm excited for more books about Yelena and the gang.

Top Ten Tuesday: Hyped Books I've Never Read

Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

Top Ten Hyped Books I've Never Read

I'm going to split mine into two categories. I want to read some of these, but won't read others.

I want to read eventually:

 
 
 



I won't ever read:

 
 

Valynne's Launch Party

I'm still behind on posts! It just never ends! I need help!

A while ago I attended Valynne's launch party for Ink and Ashes.

She had a great presentation and wore an awesome Kimono!

Things she touched on in her presentation (I actually took notes this time!):

-    Valynne wrote the book for her younger sister a long time ago. She wanted to give her sister a book with a character she could relate to.

-    The characters in the book were named after Valynne's sister's best friends.

-    Valynne didn't know how to write a mystery, so she bought a book on how to write a mystery after she won the New Visions Award.

-    She talked about how authors are very aware of their weaknesses, and they are glaring them in the face during the writing process.

-    Since she won the award, she had a lot of say in the cover. She even got the New Visions Award emblem changed.

It was a great presentation, and Valynne spoke from the heart. She feels very strongly about a lot of things, and it was nice to hear her speak so passionately about her opinions.

Valynne signing my book!

Jenni, Jenny, Valynne, Suey, and me! We finally got a picture that isn't blurry!!

Happy Independence Day

I love celebrating my country's Independence Day!

I'm so grateful for all the freedoms I enjoy, and I'd like to encourage everyone to take a moment today and think about what you are grateful for because of our great nation!

Before Green Gables

Goodreads Says:    A must-read for generations of book lovers. This remarkable, and heart-warming prequel to the classic Anne of Green Gables was specially authorized by L.M. Montgomery's heirs to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the publication of the original novel.

Before Green Gables is the story of Anne Shirley's life before her arrival at Green Gables-a heartwarming tale of a precocious child whose lively imagination and relentless spirit help her to overcome difficult circumstances and of a young girl's ability to love, learn, and above all, dream.

Published in 1908, L. M. Montgomery's coming-of-age classic Anne of Green Gables has enchanted generations of readers, both children and adults. The story of the spunky red-haired orphan from Prince Edward Island is known to millions, and copies of the eight titles in the series have never gone out of print.

But when readers first meet Anne, she is eleven, and has just been sent from an orphanage to meet her new family. No one ever learned the events of Anne's life before she arrived at Green Gables.

Until now.

For the millions of readers who devoured the Green Gables series, Before Green Gables is an irresistible treat; the account of how one of literature's most beloved heroines became the girl who captivated the world.

My Thoughts:

-    I'm a HUGE Anne fan! We've been friends since I was a little girl. When I discovered this book, I knew I had to read it!  

-    The book is very charming, and for the most part, stays true to the Anne series.

-    I wasn't really interested in the beginning. I enjoyed seeing Anne's parents, but they were portrayed as a bit silly. For example, the father made a big deal about Anne's name being spelled with an "e". It was silly. I was eager to get to Anne as a child. 

-    The story started picking up when Anne was about 5 years old and she started developing that vivid imagination of hers.

-    I thought the author did a good job at capturing the tone of the Anne books. There were a few things that didn't seem right, but overall the book seems to fit in with the classic Montgomery books. 

-    I loved reading about the things in Anne's past that I knew were going to happen, like creating Katie Maurice, the twins, etc. 

-    Anne is such a hard worker, and she was SO under appreciated. My only consolation was that I knew how Anne's life would turn out, and I knew she would find Gilbert and be incredibly happy. 

-    There were a few times when Anne's life could have taken a different path, and she would have had a better childhood, but then she wouldn't have gone to Green Gables to live with the Cuthberts. I just wanted to shout for Anne to hang in there because there was amazing future ahead of her!

-    I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who loves Anne and her stories. 

-    I want to visit Prince Edward Island SO bad!!! I'm going someday! You guys can count on it!