Reading Recap

Hi Everyone!

It's been a little while since I have done a reading recap event here on the blog, so I thought I would stop by today with just a couple reviews of books I have read recently.

The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Information from Amazon:
Seconds before the Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last fifteen years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor.

Together this dynamic pair begin a journey through space aided by quotes from The Hitchhiker's Guide ("A towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have") and a galaxy-full of fellow travelers: Zaphod Beeblebrox--the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy; Trillian, Zaphod's girlfriend (formally Tricia McMillan), whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone; Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot; Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student who is obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens he bought over the years. 

Where are these pens? Why are we born? Why do we die? Why do we spend so much time between wearing digital watches? For all the answers stick your thumb to the stars. And don't forget to bring a towel!

My Thoughts:
I picked up this book at the recommendation of a friend. It is not my typical read, but I enjoyed it. The imagery throughout the book was fun and it kept me interested in the story throughout. There were some one liners in the book that I especially enjoyed. I appreciated this book and was glad to have broken out of my normal shell to read it.

The Girl on the Train
Information from Amazon:
EVERY DAY THE SAME
Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning and night. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. Jess and Jason, she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.

UNTIL TODAY
And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel goes to the police. But is she really as unreliable as they say? Soon she is deeply entangled not only in the investigation but in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?

My Thoughts:I buddy read this book with my friend Brittany. I enjoyed the story, but I couldn't help but think about the paranoia throughout the book. I know that it was a very traumatic experience, but it was interesting to see the psyche of the characters throughout. When I reached the conclusion, I started to understand it a bit more. This book was a suspenseful read.


Have you read these books? What did you think?

Happy Reading!

Guest Post: America Deconstructed

Hi Everyone!

I am excited to be here today to bring you a guest post from Chai, who is one of the authors of America Deconstructed. Please help me by giving a warm welcome! :)

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I am an immigrant, engineer and author. As an Indian techie, the odds are stacked against me for my writing career. I am often asked, “You write- In English”, simply because I am an Electrical Engineer of Indian descent. Yet, words have been my greatest friend. As an eleven year old, writing became more than a hobby. It became an avenue for survival. After freelancing for years while working as an engineer, I decided I wanted more. After being an ardent fan of books and writers, I decided why not me? Why can’t I be the hand behind the words? America Deconstructed went from being just a conversation between friends to a book during those moments. I decided to write a book about immigrants, because being an immigrant was second nature to me. After doing fifteen years in America, I knew it had become an expertise. My co-author Shaima and I have been friends since our college days at San Jose State University. We often shared our experiences as an Indian and Afghan immigrant post 9/11.

America Deconstructed is short story collection about immigrants in America. The book delves into the human side of immigration, and talks about the embarrassments that are unique to someone who moved countries. As immigrants ourselves, we have had several moments where we have been stumped standing at a Starbucks counter not knowing what a Frappacino and Capaccino is, or what a sourdough bread was. Our book is rich in culture as we explore the small intricacies, which are unique to being new to a culture. America Deconstructed promises a fun and quirky ride if given a chance. Please pre-order our book and support our publishing journey.

Crowdfunding Link:

https://publishizer.com/america-deconstructed/

Social media links:

https://www.facebook.com/AmericaDeconstructed/

https://twitter.com/america_deconst

https://www.instagram.com/america_deconstructed/

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34234648-america-deconstructed

https://americadeconstructedblog.wordpress.com

About the Authors:

Chaithanya Sohan immigrated to America from India in 2001. She currently works as an Electrical Engineer in the Silicon Valley. Chaithanya graduated from San Jose State University with Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and a Masters in Electrical Engineering from Santa Clara University.

Chaithanya Sohan has worked as a writer since 2002 when she started writing content for various websites. She free-lanced as a writer until 2013 when she decided to write her book America Deconstructed.  Some of her works are published in websites such as www.rethinkreality.com. Chaithanya enjoys traveling and runs her own blogs www.nomadicsue.wordpress.com & www.wordspeare.wordpress.com.

Shaima Adin came to the United States as a refugee in May 2000 at the age of 16 with her mother and sisters. She is originally from Afghanistan but has lived several years of her life in Pakistan as a refugee as well.  Currently, she works in an engineering management position at a Safety and Quality testing laboratory in Union City, CA.

In light of recent times and all the debate about immigrants and refugees around the world, Shaima joined forces with Chaithanya to put forth the stories of immigrants from different backgrounds that have called America home. Her purpose in doing so is to paint a different picture of immigrants and refugees by displaying their side of the stories and the struggles of starting from nothing.

Synopsis of the book:

Naseer was nine years old when he escaped Taliban and fled Afghanistan. His story, “There are some people who are coming to take me away”, chronicles the resilience of a nine year old boy as he traveled from Afghanistan to America in his quest for the American dream. “I saw a ripe mango I’d like to pluck” showcases the love story of Chidibere and Ifeyinwa and their struggles with language, culture and being African in America. In the story “Kosovo, really...cool”, Lisian takes us through his journey to America and often being asked his identity in spite of being white.  In the story “I am exotic, mocha, P-Diddy”, Parag describes his journey from a young sixth grader who hid his attraction to boys in conservative India to embracing his sexuality in America. America Deconstructed follows the journeys of sixteen immigrants as they maneuver cultural differences, accents and uncomfortable situations while feeling a sense of belonging in America.

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Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Whole Thing Together

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week I am excited to feature a book that looks really good to me and from an author I have really enjoyed! :) 

The Whole Thing Together
Author: Ann Brashares
Release Date: April 25, 2017
 
Summary from Goodreads:
Summer for Sasha and Ray means the sprawling old house on Long Island. Since they were children, they’ve shared almost everything—reading the same books, running down the same sandy footpaths to the beach, eating peaches from the same market, laughing around the same sun-soaked dining table. Even sleeping in the same bed, on the very same worn cotton sheets. But they’ve never met.

Sasha’s dad was once married to Ray’s mom, and together they had three daughters: Emma, the perfectionist; Mattie, the beauty; and Quinn, the favorite. But the marriage crumbled and the bitterness lingered. Now there are two new families—and neither one will give up the beach house that holds the memories, happy and sad, of summers past.

The choices we make come back to haunt us; the effect on our destinies ripples out of our control…or does it? This summer, the lives of Sasha, Ray, and their siblings intersect in ways none of them ever dreamed, in a novel about family relationships, keeping secrets, and most of all, love.


Happy Reading!

Top Ten Authors: Top Authors I Can't Believe I've Met

Hi Everyone!

Happy Tuesday! I hope you are well. It has been awhile since I have done a Top Ten Tuesday post, but I couldn't resist doing this one about Authors I have met. I am excited to share with you! :) I have really enjoyed getting to meet this people and I hope to have many more soon! Thank you authors for all that you do! :) 

Elin Hilderbrand

Lily Koppel! 

Ann M. Martin and Raina Telgmeier 

Kristin Hannah

Noelle Stephenson

Guest Post: Leslie DJ

Hi Everyone!

I am excited to be here today to bring you another Guest Post! :) Please help me by welcoming Leslie DJ to the blog!

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What inspired you to write the book?

I arrived in the Dominican Republic armed with pen and paper.  I planned to take in as much of the culture as possible in an attempt to “find myself.” I was fresh out of college and unsure of what my next move would be. I had a part-time administrative job but had no clue what I wanted to do with the rest of my life but I knew it included writing.

It had been months since I had met one of my literary heroes Julia Alvarez the author behind, “In Time of The Butterflies” and my favorite “How The Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents” and following her advice I would eventually apply to grad school.

Unaccustomed to the tropical heat and frequent power outages I spent most of my days sitting on the front porch of my grandmother’s Santo Domingo house. I sat and watched as men wheeling plantain carts passed by and kids with wicker baskets full of homemade peanut brittle offered good prices for their treats.  I spent days trying to encapsulate the smell and colors of the island. I needed to get it just right.

I returned to the states with a notebook full of musings and observations. I had nothing but a burning desire to return. On my third trip I met a boy, a boy I would model Henry after in my novella “Luz.” He wasn’t very kind but he was tall and had beautiful honey colored eyes. His unreliability and insistence on keeping our relationship—if you could even call it that—secret made him appear edgy and like those bad boys all girls are bound to throw their lives away for.

Threw my life away I did at least it seemed like I did for six years. We married and after six tumultuous years we divorced, although details of my failed marriage are not featured in “Luz” her relationship with Henry comes from an honest and loving place.

Writing “Luz” was cathartic the book practically wrote itself. Flashes of color, sights and sounds from the island engulfed me and at times I lost track of time as I wrote. At times I could almost feel the sand between my toes and the relentless sun beaming on me as I wrote. Luz was a story that needed to be told and now I hope others feel glad they read it. 

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About the Book:
Title: Luz
Author: Leslie DJ
Release Date: March 23rd, 2017
Genre: Women’s Fiction


Tour Dates: March 23rd - 30th, 2017

Book Blurb:
Luz Vargas is a promising young Latina writer from Washington Heights, a predominantly Dominican neighborhood in New York City. Who upon receiving top honors for her short story, “Here and There” from the prestigious Quisqueya Writers of Tomorrow Association, Luz’s boyfriend, Luke, suggests a couple’s getaway to the Dominican Republic where he plans to propose. But when the trip to the Island brings her face to face with a past love, Luz is torn between honoring her commitment to Luke and revisiting an island romance.

The story is told through a series of vignettes that chronicle Luz’s struggle to reconcile her American identity with her Dominican side.

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Thanks for Leslie stopping today!

Happy Reading! 

Book Review: The Adventures of Sherlock Bones

Author: Lauren Baratz-Logsted
 
Summary from Amazon:The Adventures of Sherlock Bones turns snooping on its floppy ear when one day, Dr. Jane Catson, a surgeon injured in the Cat Wars has an afternoon nap interrupted by a most unusual occurrence.

On the front lawn of her home, rather loud footsteps disturb her peace as Sherlock Bones, a Great Dane in a deerstalker claiming to be the greatest detective in the world arrives.

After a quick critical examination of the intrusive dog whose enormous body blocks the entire sun from view, Catson has her doubts. But that’s not all. The monstrously-sized creature makes an even more astonishing claim. He has come to live with her!

Before Catson can collect her thoughts into an intelligent rebuttal, Sherlock Bones has made himself quite at home, inventing things like a jetpack for her Castilian housekeeper-cook, a turtle named Mr. Javier and placing his gigantic food and water dishes next to hers.

But there’s no time for protest. The great detective and Dr. Catson have caught themselves their first case: A suspiciously dead human in a nearby abandoned building. Can Sherlock Bones and Dr. Catson crack the case before the killer strikes again? Or will their differences get in the way of solving Case File No. 1? One thing’s for sure, that would be a doggone shame.

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Personal Review:
All of my animal loving mystery solving friends need this book! This was a cute story about a dog and the silliness that happens around him. I will be the first to admit that I have not read the Sherlock Holmes books, but I could tell that there was strong background material that was being drawn on for this book.

That said, I really enjoyed the book. It was cute and witty. I enjoyed the thought put into different scenes and appreciated the authors narrative of what happened throughout. This book was one that I came across on a whim and I am glad I did.

If you like books about dogs, then you may want to check this one out! Thanks for the opportunity!


Disclaimer: I was awarded this book from Library Thing. Though I did not pay for the book, the opinions are strictly my own.

Happy Reading!

Beauty and the Beast Book Tag

Hi Everyone!

I saw that Bekka at Pretty Deadly Reviews do this tag and decided to jump in on the fun! :) Have you seen the new movie yet? What did you think? I am hoping to see it very soon!

A Villain You Can’t Help But Love 

I would have to say the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz! 

Your OTP

I would say Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom. I know it didnt happen, but they would be perfect together :) 



A Character Destined for Greater Things

For this one, I would say Violet from Rat Queens. 






A Book That Makes You Hungry

Anything by Julia Child or about French cooking! Yum!! :) 






Opposites Attract

I agree with Bekka on this one-Ron and Hermione! 







This was fun! If you are reading this and want to play, please do! :)

Happy Reading! 

Double Feature Friday: Kitty Hawk 4 and 5

Hi Everyone! 

Stopping by today with another Double Feature Friday. Today I am bringing you the next two books in the Kitty Hawk Series. :) Happy Reading!

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Kitty Hawk and The Tragedy of the R.M.S Titanic

Author: Iain Reading

Summary from Goodreads:
Kitty Hawk and the Tragedy of the RMS Titanic is the thrillingly cryptic fourth installment of the exciting Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency Series featuring the intrepid teenage seaplane pilot Kitty Hawk and her various adventures of mystery and intrigue as she follows in the footsteps of Amelia Earhart on an epic flight around the world.

This fourth book in the series brings Kitty to the emerald hills of Ireland where she meets a handsome stranger and is quickly swept up in a perplexing hundred-year-old family treasure hunt involving secret codes and puzzling clues that lead her on a fast-paced adventure that carries her from Dublin to London - from the decks of the ill-fated ocean liner Titanic to the temples of ancient Egypt and the streets of Jack the Ripper - until she finally unlocks the mystery and discovers the long-hidden treasure.

Much like the earlier books in this series, Kitty Hawk and the Tragedy of the RMS Titanic is a perfect book to fire the imaginations of armchair detectives of all ages. Filled with fascinating and highly Google-able locations and history the reader will find themselves immersed in brand new worlds that are brought to life before their very eyes as Kitty Hawk experiences the stories and history of a doomed ocean liner and unravels the Tragedy of the RMS Titanic.

Personal Review:
This is probably my favorite of Iain's books so far. I really enjoyed read this story and liked the adventure that Kitty had gotten herself into this time. She continues to have a strong desire to know and a natural curiosity that I find to be very enduring.

The plot of this book brings to life a world that is unknown, but in discovery yields so much. Thank you for the opportunity to review this book!


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Kitty Hawk and the Mystery of the Masterpieces

Author: Iain Reading

Summary from Goodreads: 
Kitty Hawk and the Mystery of the Masterpieces is the eagerly anticipated fifth instalment of the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency book series. This series features the intrepid teenage seaplane pilot and amateur detective Kitty Hawk as she continues in the footsteps of Nancy Drew and Amelia Earhart on her epic flight around the world.

After meeting up with an old friend in the eternal city of Rome, Kitty Hawk unexpectedly stumbles (almost literally) into a bizarre mystery involving creepy disembodied voices, secret hidden rooms, unbreakable mathematical codes, ominous chain-smoking strangers and an array of plundered artworks by such famous masters as Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro and Vincent van Gogh - all of it wrapped up and entwined in an enigmatic riddle hanging in plain sight right in front of everyone's noses.

With the help of friends both old and new, Kitty Hawk follows a trail of cryptic clues that leads her on a breathless tour across a quintessentially European landscape - from ancient Roman Italy to the darkest corners of Germany, Austria and beyond.

As with the previous books in the series, this new installment is perfect for firing the imaginations of readers of all ages. Filled with fascinating and highly Google-able locations and history, this exhilarating adventure will have armchair explorers and amateur detectives alike anxiously following every twist and turn as they attempt to help Kitty Hawk try and solve the extraordinarily bizarre Mystery of the Masterpieces.

Personal Review: 
In this book, Kitty is back in Europe (Rome) to meet up with a person from her earlier adventures. The book is descriptive in both what is happening around them in this adventure, but also in the setting. I really appreciate the authors attention to the details and it really paints a vivid picture for the reader.

I know I have mentioned it before, but these books really bring to life a strong female character and I really appreciate that they do that. They are  interesting reads and well worth the time! Thank you for the opportunity to read these books.

Disclaimer: I was awarded these books from the publisher. Though I did not pay for the book, the opinions are strictly my own.

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Onions in the Stew

Audiobook Info

Audiobook Title: Onions In the Stew

Author: Betty MacDonald

Narrator: Heather Henderson

Publisher: Post Hypnotic Press

Length: 9 hours 40 minutes

Audio Release Date:

Synopsis: The bestselling author of the American humor classic The Egg and I continues the adventure with this collection of tales about life on the fringe of the Western wilderness. Writing in the 1950s, Betty MacDonald, sophisticated and urbane, captivated readers with her observations about raising a family on an island in Puget Sound. As usual, humorist MacDonald is her own favorite target. She manages to get herself into scrapes with washing machines set adrift in rowboats, used cars, and a $25 Turkey Squasher. And then there's the scariest aspect of island life -- teenaged children.

Buy Links

Buy on Audible

Review

Hi Everyone!

I am excited to be here today with one more Betty MacDonald book. I have enjoyed these audio books very much and I am excited to have one more added to the collection. This book was another one that made me laugh and I enjoyed the story very much.

Once again, we are greeted with the familiar voice of Heather Henderson on this book. I think I wont be able to ever not associate it with these books. She does an amazing job at bringing the books to life.

If you have never read a Betty MacDonald book or you are looking for a new author, I would recommend these books. It has been so much fun to follow along the story of her life and the challenges she faced along the way. I enjoyed this book very much.

Happy Reading! 

Author Bio

Betty Bard MacDonald (1907–1958), the best-selling author of The Egg and I and the classic Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle children’s books, burst onto the literary scene shortly after the end of World War II. Readers embraced her memoir of her years as a young bride operating a chicken ranch on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, andThe Egg and I sold its first million copies in less than a year. The public was drawn to MacDonald’s vivacity, her offbeat humor, and her irreverent take on life. In 1947, the book was made into a movie starring Fred MacMurray and Claudette Colbert, and spawned a series of films featuring MacDonald’s Ma and Pa Kettle characters.

MacDonald followed up the success of The Egg and I with the creation of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, a magical woman who cures children of their bad habits, and with three additional memoirs: The Plague and I (chronicling her time in a tuberculosis sanitarium just outside Seattle), Anybody Can Do Anything (recounting her madcap attempts to find work during the Great Depression), and Onions in the Stew (about her life raising two teenage daughters on Vashon Island).

Author Paula Becker was granted full access to Betty MacDonald’s archives, including materials never before seen by any researcher. Looking for Betty MacDonald, the first official biography of this endearing Northwest storyteller, reveals the story behind the memoirs and the difference between the real Betty MacDonald and her literary persona.

Post Hypnotic Press: Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Youtube⎮LinkedIn⎮Soundcloud⎮Pinterest⎮SoundCloud

Narrator Bio

Heather Henderson is a voice actress and audiobook narrator with a 20-year career in literary and performing arts.  Her narrations include the NYT bestseller (now also a feature film) Brain on Fire;  and Sharon Creech’s The Boy on the Porch, which won her an Earphones award and was named one of the Best Children’s Audiobooks for 2013 by Audiofile Magazine.   She earned her Doctor of Fine Arts degree at the Yale School of Drama, and is co-curator of AudioEloquence.com, a pronunciation research site for the audiobook industry.  In 2015, Heather was a finalist for a Voice Arts Award (Outstanding Narration, Audiobook Classics), for her narration of Betty MacDonald’s The Egg and I.

Website⎮Youtube⎮LinkedIn

Tour Schedule

Mar. 11: terriluvsbooks (Spotlight & Audio Excerpt)

Mar. 12: The Phantom Paragrapher (Spotlight & Audio Excerpt)

Mar. 13: The Pursuit of Bookishness (Review & Giveaway)

Mar. 14: Dab of Darkness (Review)

Mar. 15: CGB Blog Tours (Spotlight & Audio Excerpt)

Mar. 16: Hall Ways (Review & Giveaway)

Mar. 18: Ali the Dragon Slayer (Review & Giveaway)

Mar. 20: Bound4Escape (Review & Giveaway)

Mar. 23: He Said Books Or Me (Review)

Mar. 24: Just Us Book Blog (Spotlight & Audio Excerpt)

Mar. 26: Buried Under Books (Review)

Mar. 27: Jorie Loves A Story (Review)

Mar. 28: Babs Book Bistro (Review, Spotlight, Audio Excerpt & Giveaway)

Mar. 29: Celtic Lady Reviews (Spotlight & Audio Excerpt)

Mar. 31: Avid Book Colector (Review, Spotlight, Audio Excerpt & Giveaway)