"Looking For Alaska" by John Green

"You spend your whole life stuck in the labyrinth, thinking about how you'll escape it one day, and how awesome it will be, and imagining that future keeps you going, but you never do it. You just use the future to escape the present." - John Green, Looking for Alaska

I never would have even picked up this book if it wasn't for my friend, Cameron. So, Cameron, I owe you big time, because this book was definitely something I needed!

Miles is about to be a junior in high school, but public school just isn't doing it for him. He is ready to discover the "Great Perhaps" and he hopes it lies within the campus of Culver Creek Boarding School, in Alabama (whoop whoop). Currently living in Florida, Miles hopes that, at least, a change of scenery will jump start his new journey.

Miles moved into his dorm to meet his new roommate (and soon-to-be best friend), Chip. No one called
 him Chip, he goes by "The Colonel." He is a short stocky guy, just the opposite of Miles' tall, lanky, scrawny self. Demonstrating his nickname, The Colonel basically took charge and began to tell Miles how to survive at Culver Creek, and also told him who to be friends with, and vice versa. He even gave Miles a nickname of his own, "Pudge," because he was just the opposite. The Colonel introduced him to all of his friends, including Alaska, the hottest and most beautiful girl Miles had ever laid eyes on.

This group of friends was just the kind of people that parents always tell their kids to not hand around: "Don't smoke, don't drink, don't cuss, etc." The Colonel, Alaska and the gang did all of this and lived by it. Even though they did all of these things, they were the best friends Pudge could have ever asked for. And some of the smartest people. Alaska's room is literally filled with books stacked upon books stacked upon more books. The Colonel memorizes capitals for countries all over the world. Pudge learns things from them that he could never learn sitting in a desk within the barriers of a classroom.

Between hanging out with his new friends and pulling pranks and having fun, Pudge actually had to go to his classes and study. His religion class was a class he particularly enjoyed, and it made his mind stretch and mold more than any other. Pudge wasn't exactly religious, but the class made him look within himself to unfold his "Great Perhaps" among his struggles, fears, and failures.

The book is divided into two sections: BEFORE and AFTER. Before what? After what? That's for you to discover. You never actually know until POOF it happens. Which is a lot like life, usually. Between all of the shenanigans they partake in and the pranks they pull, Pudge and his friends learn a lot about what's important in life all within one short year.

I finished it last night, and I still can't get over how incredible this book was. Not only were the plot and characters so perfect, the words used throughout the book blew me away. John Green writes in such an elegant way. It's not over your head at all, but it really seeps inside you, and stays. This IS a sad book though, but the sad that makes it an outstanding book. Just make sure you keep tissues nearby.

AGE RESTRICTIONS: I do not recommend this book for anyone under 16. Some of the content is mature, especially the event that the BEFORE and AFTER describes. I don't know that I would have wanted to read about something like that before I was 16, but that's just me. The mature content includes drinking, smoking, profanity, and sexual content.

Read it for yourself to see if Pudge finds his "Great Perhaps" and what event makes the BEFORE and AFTER. You might just find out something about your own labyrinth..

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"Dangerous Passage" by Lisa Harris

"I've found that when you pray a lot, then fill your life with people you love and things you believe in, there's often more room inside your heart that you realize. Say no to what you have to, but do what you were called to do. Follow God. Love family. Pursue justice. And maybe in the middle of all of that you'll find that there's some unexpected room for someone else in your life."
- Lisa Harris, Dangerous Passage

It's been a while since I have read a GOOD mystery novel, and I was excited when I was assigned to read this for the radio station! That's right! This is the first book I reviewed for WTBF-AM/FM in Troy, Ala. I wrote a shorter version of my review for the radio to cover a three minute spot! Am I famous? No, not by a long shot, but it sure feel like it, so I'll take it!

*Clears throat* Okay, now on to the book..

Detective Avery North has just embarked on her next case: two Jane Does are dead. At first it seemed like two different murder cases until Avery noticed that they had something in common. They both had a tattoo of a magnolia on their shoulder. Instantly, Avery began to think that she was now dealing with a serial killer. She had to move quickly to track this guy down, figure out his plot, and stop him from killing any girls like this.

Avery was very sensitive to these cases. She has a daughter; what if it had been her? Those thoughts are the very drive she needs to stop these criminals from continuing their actions. She realizes how much of a risk her job is, and after losing her husband, Ethan, she knows that she needs to be extra careful because her daughter doesn't need to lose another parent. Especially after Micheal's death. Micheal was Avery's brother, and died on the job. Although the job is dangerous, it's worth it to Avery to stop the evil in the world one case at a time.

Since Ethan's death, Avery hasn't even thought about beginning another relationship. Well, not until she partnered with Jackson Bryant, a medical examiner, for this case. It was just so easy with him, she couldn't NOT think about him! Somehow every date they tried to go on would get interrupted by the case they were working on, but that didn't make any of the time they spent together any less special. Every new day, Avery fell for Jackson more and more. Even though she tried to put it in the back of her mind, it would always push its way back to the forefront.

Eventually Avery and  Jackson solved the case and their relationship. I won't give away the ending, you know I never do! Don't worry!

This book was a great read! If I wasn't completely buried in school work, I would have finished it much faster! I would laugh out loud and some parts, and others I would be wiping my tears away. The mystery in the book was really good, as well! There were times I would be reading, my heart pounding, and I would jump at the sound of the ice maker in my kitchen! Silly, right? I was just so into the book!

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This book deals with the topic of human trafficking, which is something that the Lord has given me a passion for here recently.  Did you know that there are more slaves in the world today than ever before? Did you know that the sex trafficking industry is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world? This book is set in Atlanta, Georgia which is a hotspot of sex trafficking in the United States. YES, it happens right here in America, and not just in Atlanta. 

I am on the leadership team for Troy's Stella's Voice on Campus. Stella's Voice is an organization that prevents sex trafficking.While Stella's Voice focuses mostly on the country of Moldova, sex trafficking is a serious issue all over the world. Stella's Voice has created houses for boys and girls that have been trafficked. There is an incredible number of orphans in Moldova. When these orphans turn 16, they are tossed on the street with nothing more than a bus ticket and $30. This gets these kids nowhere. Most of them are abducted and sold into sex slavery, with no one missing them or looking for them. They simply disappear.

It's up to us to stop this. For more information on Stella's Voice, visit www.stellasvoice.org to see how you can begin a chapter in your area or give a donation. You can also contact me if you have any questions as well.

I'm so glad that Lisa Harris incorporated this into her novel so that people may realize how serious this issue is! This book is not only a great story, it has truth in it. Book 2 of the Southern Crime series, Fatal Exchange, releases in May, and is available for pre-order NOW!

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"Being Sam, No Matter What" by Marta Tandori

"I didn't think I looked any different than my friends."
-Marta Tandori, Being Sam, No Matter What

I don't usually read young adult novels, but I always promise read and review a book by any author that follows me on Twitter. Marta Tandori followed me on Twitter a while ago, and I finally was able to read one of her books. The book I chose was Being Sam, No Matter What. She was a knew author to me, so I really just chose the book at random.

Sam Pacepa started her seventh grade year just a few weeks ago, but Sam isn't the average seventh grader. Sam and her family are immigrants that moved to Canada when Sam was very young. Her parents have very strict rules for her and her siblings. While most of her friends get to have sleepovers and wear jeans, Sam doesn't.

Her homeroom teacher announces that the class would be taking an overnight trip to Niagara Falls. Sam knows that she won't be able to go, not with her parents' rules. Her friends really want her to go, but how will she convince her parents?

To be honest, the book didn't grab my attention in the beginning. It was a little slow, but I had to remember that it was a young adult novel. Towards the end, however, there were several plot twists that spiced things up a bit. I just wish they didn't happen all at once.

There was one thing that stood out to me, that I just couldn't get over. I understand that at the age of 12, a girl starting her period is a big deal. That can be revealed in a novel, sure, but not with onomatopoeia. The word, "plop" has probably scarred me for life. I really don't think it was supposed to be a big deal, but I couldn't get passed it.

It really wasn't a terrible book, but it's not something that sparks my interest. If you are a very young reader, I would suggest it. It's an easy read with struggles that a lot of young girls go through. I just don't think it's a book that someone 15 or older would enjoy.

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Readers in Troy, my book reviews are coming soon to the radio station, WTBF, so make sure to tune in for the Book Bit!!

"Losing Hope" by Colleen Hoover

" Moments like these with people like her are what make all the suffering worth it."
-Colleen Hoover, Losing Hope

Okay, Okay. I know. I'm completely OBSESSED and ADDICTED to everything written by Colleen Hoover. She's the best. Period. Done. Over. If you are reading this review and still haven't read any of her books, HELLO??? WHAT ARE YOU DOING?? Get off your tookus, purchase a copy of any of her books and get going!!!

As I've mentioned in a previous review, Losing Hope is the companion to Hopeless. Instead, the book is written from Holder's point of view. Hopeless was written from Sky's point of view. No, I won't give you the spill of the main plot again because I did that in my first review. To see the review on Hopeless, CLICK HERE!

The plot is the same of course, but everything is still different! I found out so many new details that changed the story completely! Leave it to Colleen to take a story that she's already written and add a twist that blow's the reader's mind. It sure blew mine away! Even though I knew what was going to happen, I still couldn't read fast enough to get to each new page of the story. Either I was super in love with the book, or I just couldn't get enough time with my book boyfriend, Holder. Either way, I just couldn't get enough of it!

Congratulations to Colleen on selling the rights for her books to be made into MOVIES!!! I understand it will be several years from now before it hits the big screen, but I. AM. SO. THERE!!!

This review was a little more freak out-ish than normal, so I apologize for my outrageous excitement! That just shows how much I loved and adored this book!

This is not a young adult novel. I would reserve this book for readers 18 years old and up. Because it is from a male point of view, there is much more language than the first book. Also, there is sexual content that is not suitable for young readers.

BIG shout out to Griffin Peterson for posing as Holder on the cover! He definitely gave me a visual of what my book boyfriend looks like! While we're talking about Griffin, he also has a new single on iTunes! To download his new single CLICK HERE!

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"The Mortal Instruments Book I: City of Bones" by Cassandra Clare

"Where there is love, there is often also hate. They can exist side by side."
- Cassandra Clare

One of my best friends wouldn't stop bugging me about this book all semester last spring. She wasn't going to let me get away with not reading it because the movie is coming out in August, so she said she didn't care when I read it, just as long as I did it before the premiere. Boy, am I glad that she pushed me to read this! I am head-over-heels in love with this series, and I cannot wait to continue reading! I read it on the beach, and I would literally scream and gasp and laugh out loud. I was THAT into it!

Clary, fifteen, and her friend Simon go to Pandemonium, a club in New York City one night. She's not really into the "club scene," but she loves to watch the people around her. As she and Simon are dancing, she notices an attractive boy. Her eyes follow him as he walks to the other side of the club and enters a closet with an exquisitely beautiful girl (of course). Little does the boy know, two other guys are following close behind. Clary notices that they have weapons, and she can tell they are after him. She hurries to the closet to try to stop them, if she can. When she gets there, she witness the boys with weapons murder the handsome boy. Only, this was no ordinary murder. His blood was thick and black, and his body vanished into thin air. Clary stands frozen in her place as these murderous people approach her.

They are confused as to why Clary can see them, but Clary doesn't understand why she WOULDN'T be able to see someone! One of the boys, Jace, explains that they are Shadowhunters, and that they did not just kill a human, that boy was a demon. In the middle of their discussion, Simon shows up at the door, and asks Clary where the guys with weapons went. So, Simon cannot see them even as they stand by Clary's side. Soon enough a demon enters Clary's home and tries to attack her! Jace shows up again, and she is instantly part of an entire new world! Why can Clary see them when no one else can? What does this mean for Clary? How will her life change? Find out in The Mortal Instruments Book I: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.

Not only was the storyline over-the-top outrageous, her writing style was gorgeous! I know that's such a journalist thing to say, but I am what I am! She had incredible imagery and some of the best similes! The words she used to describe this story were simply beautiful. It's hard to beat that kind of writing!

I wish I could just tell you everything that happens! I went to the beach with a friend, and she was reading the same book at the same time, I was just roughly 100 pages ahead of her. I would freak out about something exciting, or some new twist that Clare threw in the story, but I couldn't talk about it! It was torture! This feels the same way! I want to tell you just how amazing this story is, but there is no possible way to do it without telling you everything! I CAN tell you that there is so much passion in this book, and I can't even tell you how much I laughed! The book is truly hilarious! The humor is flawless!

The movie premiers on August 21st, so make sure you read the book before then! Just from watching several different trailers for this film, I can tell it will be slightly different from the book. That's always expected; however, the movie looks incredible, as it should be! With a plot this extravagant, it would be hard to make a bad movie.

I believe that any age group would enjoy this book. I wouldn't go younger than a teen though. Some content may not be suitable. There is slight profanity and sexual humor. Not enough to say that I would limit it to adults, because it was written for a younger audience, but I believe that adults will love it, too!

SPOILER ALERT: THE TRAILER REVEALS THINGS THAT YOU MAY NOT WANT TO KNOW BEFORE READING THE BOOK!

So whether you choose to read the book, watch the movie, or both (I STRONGLY encourage both), I know that you will fall in love with it, just as I did! This is a six-book series. Five books have been released so far, with the six not too far behind. Don't worry, I will still be reading books for the blog, I will just be reading these on the side. I'm seriously addicted!

Clare also wrote a series called The Infernal Devices. It's a three-book series that serves as a prequel to The Mortal Instruments. I would suggest reading The Mortal Instruments first, THEN The Infernal Devices. Check out Cassandra Clare's site for more information! CLICK HERE

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"Posed for Murder" by Meredith Cole

"The only thing that could possibly be worse than having her friend murdered was the knowledge that another friend could be twisted and evil enough to have done it."
- Meredith Cole, Posed for Murder

I'm not one to read mysteries, simply because I get so sucked in to that mushy, girly, lovey-dovey type storyline. I'm a 21-year-old girl. I can't help it! Anyway, I realized I really wasn't appealing to a male audience, so I asked a few guys what they would prefer to read. Every single one of them said a mystery novel. So, with that, I went to the library, went to the mystery section, and literally picked up a random book to check out. I'd never heard of Meredith Cole before, but the inside flap seemed interesting, and I was excited to discover a new author!

Lydia McKenzie is a photographer trying to get discovered. Her current project is re-creating actual death scenes of girls that were never identified. She had read about them in a book and wanted the girls to have some sort of recognition. The night Lydia had been waiting for had finally come: opening night of her very own show at a gallery. She is beyond nervous before the show even begins, but when two detectives come inside to question her, her nerves go through the roof.

Apparantly, someone was so fond of her photographs that he/she decided to re-create them again. For real. Someone murdered a girl and posed her just like in Lydia's photograph. She was dressed almost the same and it was even in the same location. How can this be? The detectives are shocked to hear that Lydia took her photo over a year and a half ago. The body was found tonight. To add to Lydia's horror, the girl that was murdered was the actual girl that modeled for Lydia's photograph. Not only was she the model, but she was Lydia's friend. Who would do this and why would they try to frame Lydia?

I really enjoyed reading this mystery! It makes me want to read more mystery books! I loved how Cole would leave me hanging at the end of every chapter so I HAD to keep reading! It was fun being on edge with every page turn. There is a great twist at the end! The book is a quick read and very enjoyable! Typically, I like books to go deeper and last a little longer, but I still really liked this novel!

Is the killer after Lydia, or just her friend? Will he/she kill more of her models/friends? What does he/she want? What will happen to Lydia? Find out in Meredith Cole's Posed for Murder. Also, check out her follow-up novel about Lydia, Dead in the Water.

Other than the mention of some characters drinking a beer here and there, I don't think there is any material that is not suitable for young readers!

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"Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon

“The rest of the journey passed uneventfully, if you consider it uneventful to ride fifteen miles on horseback through rough country at night, frequently without benefit of roads, in company with kilted men armed to the teeth, and sharing a horse with a wounded man. At least we were not set upon by highwaymen, we encountered no wild beasts, and it didn't rain. By the standards I was becoming used to, it was quite dull.”
-Diana Gabaldon, Outlander

One of my readers suggested this book to me, and I was happy for the suggestion! Before she told me about it, I had never once heard of Outlander. When I was searching the books at the library, I finally found it. Whoa. It's huge. The cover looked old and, quite honestly, boring! My first thought: "Great. This book looks dreadful." Reluctantly, I checked it out and took it home.

Boy, was I wrong! Outlander completely took me by surprise! I know the common saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover," but everyone does. Everyone. I'm glad my reader suggested it though, because this was a refreshing new book (to me, anyway) that I loved! The plot was incredibly unique, and I've never come across anything quite like this book before.

Claire Beauchamp Randall and her husband, Frank, are on holiday in Scotland in 1945. She was a British combat nurse, so they had been separated for a long time due to the war. After exploring the lands, quite a bit, they come across an ancient stone circle. Upon touching the circle, Claire is thrown back in time two hundred years! The world has changed immensely in two hundred years, so Claire takes notice to things such as (or the lack of) electricity and simple medications. Not knowing how to return to her time and her husband, Claire has to make the best of the life being put in front of her in a land that existed before her time.

Because of her peculiar knowledge of the lands, the locals keep their eye on her, accuse her of being a spy, a witch, and other things. She tries her best to make a good name for herself by healing the wounded and the sick with her skills in nursing.

Proving that she is not a spy or witch is no task in comparison to controlling her growing attraction to Jamie Fraser. She just can't help it! The fact that she and he are forced to marry for her own protection does not make the matter any easier! Can she lose herself in her growing love for Jamie, or does she hold out for her husband Frank that she may never see again?

You will never believe all that lies within this book! Well, if you've seen the actual book, you can imagine it has quite a bit since it has over 600 pages, but I was completely entranced by it! It's just so different from anything else I've ever read! I've never read of such pure love and adoration between two people!

Outlander is full of adventure, and great humor, as well! The quote I chose at the beginning demonstrates that briefly. I often found myself laughing aloud or gasping in shock while reading this book! Also, since the book takes places in the 1700s and in Scotland, the humor is quite different than it is today. Diana Gabaldon stayed true to the Scottish accents as well as the culture throughout the entire book, which made everything fall perfectly into place. It's also historically accurate, as well! This book is greatly detailed, but it's necessary to understand the time period, the culture, and the events that are taking place.

Reading this book made me feel like I had traveled back in time myself. Things were simpler, but still more complicated, if that even makes sense. Yes, it's quite a hefty read, but it's worth the time and patience! Outlander is actually the first book in a series of eight books. The final book was released early this year. Reading the first book really makes me want to finish the series, especially after what I found out on the last page!

Some parts of the book are not fit for young readers. There are very mature scenes, as well as very graphic scenes dealing with torture and punishment (remember the time period). Some of the details even made ME cringe! (But that's great writing)! Also, due to the complexity of the novel, it may even be confusing to young readers.

Please let me know if you have read or are planning to read this book! Definitely consider reading Outlander! It really will surprise you! I'm interested to hear what you think about this one! I would really love to hear from someone who has finished the entire series!

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I loved that one of my readers introduced this book to me! She wanted to know what I thought before she started it. Got any books that you are curious about? Leave your suggestions on my Facebook page, and I will review a book for you!

"This Lullaby" by Sarah Dessen

"Love is needing someone. Love is putting up with someone's bad qualities because they somehow complete you.
- Sarah Dessen, This Lullaby

Remy was like most high school graduates: ready to get OUT! After going through about five or so step dads, she was tired of dealing with her mother's life. She was just ready to move out and worry about herself for a change. She could move across the country, go to school, focus on her future, and not have to babysit her mother any longer.

Because of what she had seen in her mother, Remy's thoughts on love were a bit skewed. She didn't believe that love could last. In Remy's mind, love only led hurt and pain. No commitment ever lasted. As soon as Remy ever got close to a guy, she bolted. It was usually around two months. After two months, she would find some excuse to end it. That is, if it even lasted that long.

While planning her mother's NEXT wedding, Remy's steady summer full of work and plans got interrupted by a clumsy, lanky boy. He literally bumped into her at the car dealership where her mother's fiance worked.

From that first day, Dexter annoyed Remy like no other boy she had ever met. Why was it that he was showing up EVERYWHERE. Seriously: everywhere. Dexter, on the other hand, was determined that he and Remy had chemistry and that they were meant to be together.

He was persistent. He was definitely not going to give up, but Remy had her rules. Dexter was in a band, and Remy didn't date musicians. Dexter didn't care about Remy's rules. He knew they were supposed to be together.

Does Remy hold true to her rules, or does she give Dexter a try? Find out in Sarah Dessen's This Lullaby.

This book can be read by younger readers. It seemed as though that was the target audience. I really enjoyed reading this book. My friend DEMANDED that I read a book by Dessen, and that is the book she loaned me. It was a little slow in some places, but overall the book was a great story. It really shows the importance of taking chances with love and relationships.

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"Thin White Line" by J.A. Templeton

"Don't ever let anyone determine who you should be. You're the only one who can do that."
-J.A. Templeton, Thin White Line

The last time I wrote about a book by J.A. Templeton, it was a young adult novel. Although it was written for a younger audience, I still loved The MacKinnon Series! (See my review HERE). Thin White Line, however, is an adult novel, so I do not suggest this book for younger audiences because there is very mature content.

I was completely stoked when I heard that she released a new novel. After reading her other books, It was impressive to see how she brought a completely different feel to this new book. Granted, she was writing for a different audience, but she did an excellent job of making that transition.

Kenzie was halfway through her junior year of high school when she had to move states because her parents were getting divorced. Her father was having an affair. With a girl about 20 years younger than him. What a creep. Anyway, Kenzie's mother wanted to move to the same town and work with Kenzie's aunt, so her whole life was about to change.

Brooke, Kenzie's cousin, was basically forced to befriend Kenzie and show her around the high school. Even though it seemed forced at the beginning, Kenzie and Brooke became best friends, just like they were when they were younger. Brooke is in a band, and BOY were her band mates ATTRACTIVE! Muscles, tattoos, great hair, and the smiles to melt any girl's heart. Oh, yeah, Kenzie was going to like hanging out with Brooke.

The only problem with hanging out with quite possibly the two hottest guys she's ever met, they both seem to be fighting for her attention. Ryder, her age, has first period with her, and gets to her first. She immediately is attracted to him, but Brooke warns her that he is basically a hit and run type of guy. Then, there's Deklan, older, Ryder's best friend (and basically his brother) is also in the band and just as attractive (if not more so) than Ryder. Oh, goodness! If only all of us girls had this problem, right?

The first time Kenzie goes to a band practice, she follows her cousin and her friends into a separate room. Brooke pulls out a small block and begins to chop it up. WHAT?? Is this seriously happening? Kenzie knows what drugs do to a person's body, and she wants no part in that. Then, Ryder walks in, waiting for his turn. They hand a line of coke to Kenzie, and wait for her response. Does she snort it, or walk away? Is this what she has to do for Ryder to accept her and for Brooke to include her with her friends? Her entire life here may be determined by that thin white line.

Read Thin White Line to see what Kenzie decides, and to see which guy she chooses! I couldn't put this one down! I read the entire book in a day! Again, I don't suggest this book to readers under 16. It's a very mature book.

In no way does Templeton encourage the use of drugs. This book shows the dangers and terror that drugs can bring, and I believe that she wrote it so that her readers will stay away from drugs. The things that happen within the pages of this book can easily happen to anyone, and I think that is the point that Templeton is trying to get across. Temptation for drugs and alcohol is way more intense than teachers at school make it sound when they tell you to "just say no." It's not always that simple, but it's always the right choice to turn it away.

Thin White Line can be an eye opener to all high school and college students about the realities of drug and alcohol use. No, that is not the entire plot of the story, there is a love triangle, friendships built and broken, grief over the divorce, and there is a great deal of humor, as well! Templeton wrote an extraordinary story with an incredible message behind it all! Don't stop at reading Thin White Line, make sure you read her other books, as well! THIN WHITE LINE IS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR KINDLE FOR .99 CENTS ON AMAZON.COM!!

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"Hopeless" by Colleen Hoover

"Not everyone gets a happily ever after. Life is real and sometimes its ugly and you just have to learn to cope."
- Colleen Hoover, Hopeless

Okay, so I've fallen in love with Colleen Hoover because of the Slammed series, so when I discovered Hopeless, I jumped on it. So, sorry for the lack of variety, but I WILL be reading and writing about her again soon. I know my readers must love her, too! So, that's okay!

Hoover doesn't write the typical predictable love stories. That's what I love the most. In Hopeless, Sky finally talks her adopted mother into letting her attend public school for her senior year. She figured it couldn't be as bad as her books make it sound. Well, it turns out that, for the most part, her books were right. Everyone already created a reputation for Sky before she even got there. Luckily, she found a friend the first day that would help her through school, since her best friend was across the world in a foreign exchange program.

After the first day, Sky needed to do some grocery shopping. While at the store, she saw a guy that instantly got her heart racing and her stomach turning. What?! She never got this way over guys. Never once had she ever had any feelings to a guy. She always just felt numb around them. She wasn't sure why this guy did this to her, but it made her nervous. Trying to leave as fast as she could, he approached her in the parking lot. Still terrified, she turned to talk to him anyway. He asked for her name because she looked familiar to him, but she knew she had never met him. Soon enough they parted ways.

Shortly after her trip to the grocery store, she went out for her run. Typically, she runs in the morning, but she didn't today because it was the first day of school. During her run, she saw the guy from the store. He was running, too. Shirtless. If she wasn't getting faint from the heat before, she definitely was now!

He ended up in her first period class the next day. She just counld't get away from this guy! Sky really didn't know if she wanted to get away from him though. They end up being running partners, and she started to really like Holder. Well, Dean Holder, but everyone calls him Holder. They hit it off so well. They talk like they've never been strangers. Holder acts like he has Sky figured out so well, but she needs to figure him out..

Think you know how this story goes? Think again! Just when you think the story is going to go the way you imagine, Hoover takes you for a loop. Go ahead: think of the best twist that could possibly be in this story. You lost, Hoover has you beat, and she will shock you! Read Hopeless to see just how this story spins and why it is hopeless.

Make sure to share your thoughts, favorite part, favorite quotes, or anything in a comment at the bottom of the post!

After you fall in love with Sky and Holder in Hopeless, make sure you stay on the lookout for Losing Hope! It is the follow-up book for Hopeless. It will be Holder's story instead of Sky's.

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"The Pianist" by Władysław Szpilman

“And now I was lonelier, I supposed, than anyone else in the world. Even Defoe's creation, Robinson Crusoe, the prototype of the ideal solitary, could hope to meet another human being. Crusoe cheered himself by thinking that such a thing could happen any day, and it kept him going. But if any of the people now around me came near I would need to run for it and hide in mortal terror. I had to be alone, entirely alone, if I wanted to live.”
-Władysław Szpilman, The Pianist

I've studied The Holocaust every year in history class since middle school. I even studied it a little in my college history courses. I've read and watched The Diary of Anne Frank. I've seen documentaries about it. It's one of those things that just seems like history. It pains me to learn about it because of how brutal and horrible it was and how many people were murdered. But like so many other things, it just seems like an event in history, and that's it. Because I was never truly affected by it, it doesn't sink in.

Now, don't get me wrong: I believe that it happened. The Holocaust, in fact, was a real occurrence. I'm not one of those people that somehow deny that it ever happened. Oh no, I know of its harsh reality. Reading The Pianist gave me an inside view to what happened during that time. Similar to Zeitoun, The Pianist told the journey of a survivor; however, this book was written by the survivor, not an outside source.

Władysław Szpilman told his story of what he personally went through during The Holocaust. When I started the book, I expected to read about a Jew that had been captured and put into a concentration camp. I expected to read about the different torturous things that he suffered. This book is actually about a Jew that was constantly in hiding and on the run. There were many encounters that just mentioning that he played the piano saved his life. Incredible.

At first he was with his family. Eventually his family was taken to a concentration camp, but Szpilman escaped. Over time he hid in numerous places. Some people graciously let him in, but after a while, no one would take him, so he had to hide anywhere he could find. At times he would almost starve to death, but he always found food just in time.

His story is devastating, but I learned so much. The things he witnessed and survived: unfathomable. There is also a movie! More people know about the movie, and here I am, being such a bookworm, I didn't even know about the movie until I started reading the book.

 

The ending is what I really didn't expect. I would have never expected him to have been saved the way he was. Maybe in a fiction book, but not in reality. I would tell you, but I don't want to spoil it for you!

Overall, it was not the best book to just sit down and read. The writing did not just keep pulling me to reading it, but that is simply because I'm a fiction fan, and this was factual. It was still a good read, and very informative. Upon finishing the book, I'm extremely glad that I read it.

Find out how Władysław Szpilman survived the Holocaust in The Pianist.

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"Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers

"So many little things could have been done. So many people let it happen. So many looked away. And it only takes one person, one small act of stepping from the dark to the light."
-Dave Eggers, Zeitoun

I am completely and utterly stunned. Either I am just ignorant, or people really don't know about some of the terrible things that go on in our country. Reading this book, in 2013, was the first time I had heard of the horrific events following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Abdulrahman Zeitoun is a carpenter, from New Orleans, La., but he is originally from Syria. Everyone addressed him by his last name, because of the fact that his first name is pretty hard for Americans (especially in the South) to pronounce. His wife, Kathy, helps with the business. When the hurricane was approaching, the Zeitouns didn't think much of it. They heard these kinds of warning all the time, so this was all the same. Over the next few days, Kathy grew more worried, and wanted to evacuate. Zeitoun declined. Eventually, he told his wife that she could take the children out of the city, but he would stay and watch the house. After all, he had numerous properties he wanted to look after.

And so, that's what she did. She left to go stay with her family, while he stayed in the house and watched the water rise. After the flood came and Zeitoun had saved as much furniture and valuables as possible, he set sail! Well, he took his canoe out into the water to view the town. On his ride, he found many dogs that were trapped in the second floor of different houses, so he made the effort to bring them food and water. He did this every day. Also, he took his canoe and found people that were trapped, as well. He saved a few, and did his best to find help for the ones he couldn't save. He checked on his properties, and joined a few friends along the way.

Time passed, and he developed a routine. But the city began to change. The standing water began to gather filth, disease, sewage, and bodies. Crime started to break out, and rumors of murder, rape, and other horrible things filtered through the media. Kathy began to worry, and begged Zeitoun to come home. Still, he declined. He felt he had a purpose and a mission to uphold.

Eventually, the crime caught up with him. While in one of the houses he rents to to others, people that looked like they were from the National Guard came and arrested Zeitoun, along with the men that were there with him. They accused him of looting. Zeitoun said he owned the house they were in, but nothing he said would change their minds. He got in their boat and it drove them to the bus station.

There as a makeshift prison at the Greyhound bus station that was never there before. Zeitoun noticed the structure, and knew what hard work it would take to build these new outdoor cages. The plans to build this were made before the storm even hit. Prisoners from other surrounding prisons were brought in to build this prison two days after Katrina hit the city. They had ready-to-eat meals for the guards and the prisoners while there will people stranded and hungry in their own homes all over the city.

Zeitoun was called "terrorist" multiple times before he was tossed into one of the cages. He never got a phone call, his rights were never read to him, and the America he always knew no longer existed. Neither did he.

Kathy went almost 2 weeks without hearing for her husband, so she thought he was dead. She couldn't accept that, though. She just couldn't. She would call him on the phone at that rental house he checked on, but it just rang and rang with no answer. Everyday she called, but never did she receive a call back. Finally, one day, the phone rang. It was a missionary telling her that he saw her husband in a prison. She asked him where it was, but he said he couldn't tell her anything else because he shouldn't be telling her anything.

Eventually Kathy and Zeitoun were reunited, and they began the process of starting their lives over. When they went back to the prison to retrieve his wallet, they did not want to give it to him. They said they needed it as evidence, although his charges were dropped. After Kathy finally talked them into giving it back, it was missing the cash and credit cards that were in there when he was arrested.

Overtime, the pain of it all began to die down, but they will always be affected by Katrina. They rebuilt their home, and Zeitoun began helping rebuild homes all over the city. Nothing will make them forget, but they can still grow from the experience.

 CLICK HERE to watch a YouTube video of Zeitoun showing important location mentioned throughout the book.

Of course, that is just a brief description of what Zeitoun and his family went through during Hurricane Katrina. Read the entire book to know the whole story! It's well worth the read. It's horrible that more people don't know about this.

Watch this video about what people know about Hurricane Katrina (click here).

I've never been so disappointed about our country.This hurt me to read about what happened to Zeitoun. How can people be treated this way and the rest of the country not know. This was the main news story at that time, but yet I don't remember hearing of anything like this. Granted, I was young, but I was old enough to know what was going on. I never heard of such treatment.

One of the things that hit me the hardest, was when Zeitoun paddled up to men in uniform (soldier, National Guard, Navy, I'm not sure), asked for help, and they told them they couldn't help him or even call someone else to help him. WHY NOT??? Isn't that why they went there?

Eggers did an outstanding job at getting this truth out. Usually I am not drawn to non-fiction work, but this was not written in a informative, drawn out way. It was almost written like a fiction story, but everything was very real.

***

What do you remember from Hurricane Katrina? Were you aware of the what was REALLY going on?

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"Walking Disaster" by Jamie McGuire

"Even though we'd put each other through hell, we'd found heaven. Maybe that was more than a couple of sinners deserved, but I wasn't going to complain."
-Jamie McGuire, Walking Disaster

After months of impatiently waiting, Walking Disaster was finally released this week. Naturally, I stayed awake until midnight, just to make sure it downloaded to my Kindle. I read one chapter then fell asleep. I know: only one chapter?? I was tired!!

I didn't really know much about this sequel except for the fact that it was not going to be through Abby's point of view like Beautiful Disaster. It was going to be in Travis's point of view. I didn't know if the story was going to pick up from where Beautiful Disaster left off, or if it was going to just be the same story but told by him. I quickly found out that it was the latter.

Needless to say, I don't need to give you a summary! You can read my review about Beautiful Disaster for that! Also, you can watch this fun video (click here) of a scene from Walking Disaster! The two people in the video have not read the book, so they acted it out as if they were on Whose Line Is It Anyway? making the video pretty fun to watch! Now don't be discouraged from reading this sequel! To be honest, I was hoping for a continuation of the story; however, I was incredibly pleased with what McGuire did with this book. When I read the first book, I remember constantly wondering what Travis was thinking. Well, now I know! It adds so much color to the story!

Even though I knew the basic story line, the book still had me gasping, and I never wanted to put it down! Seeing everything through Travis's perspective put things in a whole new light. I honestly can't decide which version I liked better! Now that I have finished both of them, everything just seems to fit and flow into one big story.

We all fell in love with Travis and his bad-boy image, his tattoos, and his complete devotion to Abby in Beautiful Disaster. Well, brace yourself, ladies, you will fall much farther and harder this time around! Seeing Travis the way Abby sees him is one thing, but getting to know the depths of who Travis is, is another.

Jamie McGuire is one of those author's that creates the guy that all the girls want, making it hard for guys in the real world. Sorry, boys, but you've got to step it up if you even want to compare to Travis Maddox. Honestly, I don't believe that many guys think the way Travis does in the book. Who knows, maybe there are guys out there that go to the flower store and decide that one bouquet is not enough, so they buy enough to fill an entire room. Maybe there are guys out there that see a girl and think, "The fall clouds cast a gray shadow over everything, but [her] smile was like summertime" (Travis, Walking Disaster). Maybe. Maybe not. McGuire did a great job as a female author, though! The mood is so different in Travis's book than in Abby's. No woman will ever REALLY know what is going on in a man's head, but I will definitely give her credit, because this book is phenomenal!

It's always interesting to see love stories through the guy's point of view; however, those stories are often written by female authors. It would be great to know what is ACTUALLY going on in a guy's mind. So, feel free to write that for us, fellas!

Walking Disaster is a refreshing addition to its prequel, and the epilogue provides good closure for the readers. And what a great ending! I did not expect that to be the turn out!

 So, Jamie McGuire fans, what did you think? Leave your comments here!

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"Fragments" by Jeffry W. Johnston

"We're dealing with fragments here. Pieces that, by themselves, are hard to understand. But if we could figure out how they fit together..."
-Jeffry W. Johnston, Fragments

 You know, nothing about this book fit together. I can't piece together any good reason to ever read this book. Sure, I've read worse, but honestly there was nothing exciting about this book.

I knew this time would come. Eventually I knew that I would have to write a bad book review. This book was included in a collection of books loaned to me by a friend. I chose this book for this week because I knew it was not like the others I had been reading. I know I need variety in my reviews, so I thought this would be a good addition to my collection.

I began reading, and I instantly knew it was a book for a younger audience. The writing was simple. I continued reading anyway. I figured it couldn't hurt. But: ouch.

For a quick look at how this book made me feel, watch this video!

Chase is in high school and loves to be in front of an audience. He is the best actor at his school, and everyone knows it. Unfortunately, his acting is not the reason he gets attention. The whispers in the halls spread because of the scars on his wrists. Chase attempted suicide. Twice.

Recently, Chase was in a terrible car accident. He was drunk, but he didn't drive. He called his ex-girlfriend, Angie, to pick him up. Two of his friends were in the back seat, and he was in the passenger seat. A drunk driver met them on a sharp turn, but Angie couldn't swerve quickly enough. Chase was the only survivor.

His older brother, Ben, was troubled and was in jail, but his parents basically disowned him. Chase desperately wanted them to forgive Ben because he felt that all of Ben's troubles were his fault. Ultimately it lead to suicidal thoughts.

Most of the story tells of him having flashbacks that the reader doesn't understand, then he goes to his therapist and doesn't tell her anything. It's extremely repetitive. All of his secrets are revealed and all of the flashbacks are explained in the last chapter or so. They were shocking and unexpected, which was good, but that was the only time I really felt any emotion during this book: a whole 2 seconds.

Overall, it was just rather dull. Nothing kept me reading the book, other than the fact that I knew I needed to have a blog written by the end of the week. There was no pull, nothing at the end of each chapter leaving me wanting more.

Unless you want to be incredibly bored, I wouldn't recommend this book.

I'm not saying that suicide is not a serious issue. Those things should not be read lightly. I understand the importance of the message about suicide, but the overall plot was just a dud.

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Do you agree? Do you disagree? If you've read this book, what did you think? Share your thoughts here!

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"Night Road" by Kristin Hannah

"Maybe time didn't heal wounds exactly, but it gave you a kind of armor or new perspective. A way to remember with a smile instead of a sob."
-Kristin Hannah, Night Road

Everyone has a best friend. I'm not talking about a huge group of friends that you see at school or work, or the people you talk to during the day just to get by. I'm talking about that one best friend that completes you, that knows you better than yourself. No matter what, they are there.

When I say everyone, I mean everyone but Lexi. Lexi grew up with a drug-addict mother, who was in and out of prison, leaving Lexi in foster care most of the time. Dad was out of the picture, so Lexi had no family, or so she thought. Finally, when Lexi was 14, she discovered she had family.

Her great aunt Eva took her in to love and care for her. Because she was 14, it was time for her to start high school. She was used to being the new girl in a school since she had lived with multiple families over the years. She knew the tricks of blending in, and she did the best she could to not be noticed.

She succeeded in being invisible until she got to her first class. A boy approached her and spoke to her. He was so cute, he left her speechless. Of course, another girl came and led him away. It was obvious he was Mr. Popular at this school, so she knew she shouldn't even bother. But she just couldn't figure out why he came to her.

Soon enough it was time for lunch. Lunch on the first day is the worst! Where do you sit? Lexi took her packed lunch and her copy of Jane Eyre outside to sit in the sunlight. She spots a girl sitting under a tree, in a pink skirt and high top Converse shoes. She immediately likes this girl. Lexi tries to speak to her, but she says that talking to her would be considered "social suicide" and that she would never be a cheerleader if she did. Lexi said she cared nothing about that. The two instantly become friends.

Mia invited Lexi over to her house--her huge, rich-person house. Soon after they got there, the door burst open and several kids her age spilled inside. The cute boy from that morning was there! He walked over to Mia and started talking to her, then he noticed Lexi and froze. Mia introduced him: her twin brother, Zach. Oh no. Lexi knew she didn't need to be attracted to this boy if she wanted to have a good friendship with Mia. This wasn't going to be easy.

After a detailed telling of how Lexi met her new best friend, Mia, the book skips to their senior year. Lexi and Mia are still inseparable. Lexi loved Mia's family, and they loved her in return. Little did they know, Lexi would dramatically change their lives.

This story is told in third person; however, it is told from two different perspectives: Lexi's and Jude's, Mia's mother. Through both perspectives, the reader can see what a teenager goes through, but at the same time what a mother goes through during the same situations.

Jude is concerned about senior year. What mother wouldn't be? This is a huge year for her children: they have to decide on their future, fill out college applications, keep their grades up, score high on big tests, and do all of that while make the most fond of memories. Seniors loved to make memories by having parties. Seniors also loved to drink at these parties. How does a mother keep her children safe in these environments? She doesn't want to hold them hostage and never let them go out with their friends, but what if they drink? She can't always be there next to them to protect them.

Mia was shy, while Zach had a lot of friends. Zach was always there to protect her and be with her. Jude knew it was so important for them to go to the same college. They are both applying for the same schools, but there is never a way to know what will happen. Jude can't imagine what would happen if they didn't have each other.

OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH! This was ridiculously hard for me to write. I understand that I summarized a lot more than normal, but I promise I gave nothing away! I struggled with avoiding the major parts of the story. There is just SO much to this story. I feel as if this isn't my best review, which is sad because it's one of the best books I've read so far. I laughed, cried, and felt so many other things during this story. Kristin Hannah will throw you for a loop, for sure.

I can't imagine going through what these people went through in the story. Kristin Hannah sculpted this story to perfection. It's not some happy, mushy, unrealistic love story. There are no over the top romantic gestures, or anything like that. The character's reactions are all so realistic to the situations they face.

Night Road takes you through happiness, love, fear, grief, confusion, hopelessness, and back again. The writing in this book is outstanding.

Earlier I mentioned seniors partying and drinking. There are scenes in this book that demonstrate this behavior. There is sexual content; however it is not descriptive. For the most part, anyone can read this book. I believe that the reader should at least be 13 years old, but if a younger reader is mature, it should be fine. Profanity is not absent, but it is scarce.

As far as the drinking goes, I want to take a second to mention drunk driving. It's simple: just don't do it. If you choose to drink, make sure that you have a driver. If you don't have a driver, then don't drink. If you make the mistake to drink when no ride is available, call someone. Driving is never the right choice. Be safe. It's not worth the risk.

Read this book. No, that's not a suggestion, it is a DEMAND! No regrets accompany this read! After reading, tell me what you think! Or simply tell me what you thought of the review! Good? Bad? Anything! Anyone can leave comments right here!

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"A Stolen Life" by Jaycee Dugard

"Lonely, that's how I feel. Lonely and incomplete. I want to run, but have no idea where to run to. I want to yell, but I don't want to hurt anybody. I want to say something, but I don't know what to say. Love is the easy part; it's the living without the love you need that is hard."
-Jaycee Dugard, A Stolen Life

Jaycee Dugard was 11 years old when she was kidnapped down the street from her very own home in Lake Tahoe. She was walking to meet the bus to go to school that morning when a man pulled up next to her, rolled down the window, and asked for directions. He immediately used a stun gun on her, and she fell to the ground. Jaycee tried to scramble away from him on the ground, but he grabbed her by her legs and threw her into the back of his vehicle. Shoving her in the floorboard, he covered her with a thick blanket and placed something heavy on top of her.

Unfortunately, this story is not fiction like the other books I write about. This week I decided to read a memoir. Everything in this post is true. Some of you may remember seeing about her story in the news. She was found and rescued recently in 2009, just four years ago. That man, Phillip Garrido, kept her captive for 18 years. I'm only 20, so I couldn't imagine being taken away from my family, my friends, and my entire world for 18 years. That is the majority of my lifetime.

I'm not going to go into detail about the physical and mental abuse Phillip Garrido put her through. I feel as though I have no right to try to explain her situation in my own words. I honestly have no words. There is no other way to explain what happened besides the way she does in her memoir. Her life was taken from her; not physically, but she didn't get to live her life. She never got to go to high school, or college. She never got to get her driver's license. She never had a first crush, first kiss, first love, or first anything. In 2009, when she was reunited with her mother, sister, and aunt, she finally got to experience things life had to offer her.

She got to begin a new life with her family, along with her two daughters. She had her first daughter when she was 14, and her second when she was 17. The girls were raised in Phillip Garrido's "backyard."

I've always seen these kinds of stories on the news, but I never really gave them much thought. They always seemed like just "stories." The news doesn't tell you how it affected the person, though. You only find out the facts: who was the victim, who was the criminal, what happened, when, where, how, etc. Reading A Stolen Life really made me realize what actually happens. It makes me sick that people actually treat other people in ways like Phillip Garrido treated Jaycee.

Read Jaycee Dugard's  memoir, A Stolen Life, and see what she went through.

Since her rescue, Jaycee has founded the JAYC foundation, Inc. (Just Ask Yourself to Care). The focus of JAYC is to serve families that have experienced abduction or other traumatic experiences through compassion and educational programs. You can give donations, purchase the book, or purchase apparel on the JAYC Web site (link provided above). Visit the site to see more information.

"Slammed" by Colleen Hoover

"Push your boundaries...that's what they're there for."
- Colleen Hoover, Slammed

Layken, along with her younger brother, Kel, and her mother, Julie, moved from Texas to Michigan after her father died. As soon as they pull the U-haul into the driveway, Kel sees a boy his age and instantly begins fighting him with an imaginary sword. Layken decides to sulk in the driver's seat, not excited about her new house -- not home. Kel approaches her and tries to bring her into the games. She hops out of the truck to chase after her little brother and his new friend when she runs into the little boy's older brother. His very cute older brother! There is an instant attraction between the two, and oh, what do you know? He lives across the street. PERFECT!!

After a few encounters over the next couple of days, Will, the cute boy across the street, asks her on a date. No dinner, no movie, but no disappointments. Layken couldn't have asked for a better date, and she couldn't wait to see him again.

Monday morning rolls around and Layken has to go to her new school. Lost and looking for her third period class, she sees Will! Not sure why he is there, she gets excited anyway and runs to him and hugs him. He pushes her away, wide-eyed. Why is he being so weird? She begins to assume he is there to visit his girlfriend, so she storms off, angry. He tells her to wait, just as a student comes outside of the classroom: "Mr. Cooper?"

OH. MY. GOSH. He's the teacher??

Sure, we've all had a crush on our teacher at some time. You get to class on that first day, and the teacher is young and SO cute. Don't deny it, it's happened to all of us! Especially for the boys. Countless times have I heard of the new "hot" teacher. Normally we just sit in our desk and drool over the teacher; we don't necessarily go on a date with him/her.

To be fair, Layken didn't know. What now? There is no way a teacher can date a student! They somehow have to stay away from each other, but how will that work when they live across the street and her desk is in the front row of his third period class? Find out in Slammed!

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO AN EXCERPT FROM "SLAMMED!!"
http://jschool.troy.edu/~advtech115/required.html
(I recorded this myself!)

***

After reading Hoover's Slammed, make sure to read the sequel, Point of Retreat. It's from Will's point of view instead of Layken's but it picks up where the first left off. I didn't think Slammed could be topped, but Hoover proved me wrong! These books are "butterflying" amazing!

Let me know what you think! I hope you love these books just as much as I do!

"Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky

“So, I guess we are who we are for a lot of reasons. And maybe we'll never know most of them. But even if we don't have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there. We can still do things. And we can try to feel okay about them.”
- Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Your freshman year of high school is full of all sorts of things: good, bad, and in between. It's scary going to the bigger school and having to meet new people. Not to mention all the pressures that are presented.

It was no different for Charlie. It was his freshman year, and he had no friends. His only friend committed suicide, and his home life wasn't much better, either. So he felt completely alone.
 

Soon enough, Charlie met Patrick in one of his classes. Even though Patrick was a senior, he was still in a freshman shop class because he never passed. Charlie went to his first high school football game and was looking for a place to sit when Patrick invited him to sit next to him. And that's when he met her: Sam.

Sam is Patrick's step-sister, and love at first sight for Charlie. The three instantly become inseparable. They brought Charlie into their lives and showed him how to live! They showed him how to be himself and have fun!

One of the most well-known scenes in the book is when the three were riding in Patrick's truck, and Sam climbed in back and stood up in the truck bed as they drove through a tunnel with the stereo blaring. Charlie was introduced to new music, and a new sense of emotions.

This book was written as multiple letters from Charlie to a person we don't know. He tells the anonymous person about what is going on with his family, school, his friends, and how he is growing up.  He basically just tells his story of how he developed from being the wallflower to being his own person.

Read about Charlie's struggles, memories, and life-changing moments. Reading this made me view things a little differently. You never really know what someone is going through unless they tell you. If someone isn't outgoing and doesn't do all of the "cool" things, it doesn't mean he/she isn't an incredibly beautiful soul. We all go through different hardships throughout our lifetime, we just have to find friends that will help us through those times and love us no matter what.

Don't let what other people think hold you back! Don't hold yourself back! Just live life, but live it in center stage, not in the audience.

This is now a major motion picture, starring Emma Watson! It was released in fall of 2012 and is now available on DVD. Watch the trailer:

The movie is rated PG-13; however, the movie leaves out a lot of things in the book. In my opinion, the reader needs to be at least 16. There is a lot of mature content within this book.


A BIG THANK YOU to my friends this week for being in my pictures: Nolan (Charlie), Rachel (Sam), and Cameron (Patrick).

"The Following" by Dale Roberts

"The most formidable foe you will ever have to face...is you."
-Dale Roberts, The Following

This is the first book I've reviewed written by a male author, so I finally didn't read a mushy love story! I thought it was time to mix things up a bit. The Following was not suggested to me by anyone I know or anything like that. I discovered this book through Twitter. The author, Dale Roberts, followed me on Twitter one day, and I took a look at his profile. It said, "NYT, Bestselling Kindle author." WOW!! I'm not sure how he discovered my name, but I was honored to be followed by him. Naturally, I looked for his books on Amazon, and I picked The Following. It had been quite a while since I had read a thriller, so I was excited to read this book.

The main character, Tyson Palmer, was a young journalist. Of course, that gave me an instant connection to this man. There had been a house fire, possibly arson. Tyson wanted to investigate the scene to see if there was a story there, but he was not wanted there. He made his way to the ambulance where a man was wearing an oxygen mask. Questioning the man, Tyson discovered that there might be a hard news story behind the fire. The injured man claimed that there was a group that had been after him for quite some time, and they most likely started the fire. He described the group to be a self-help organization that suck people in and brainwash them into doing their own missions.

Tyson wanted to dig deeper to find a story there. Pulitzer, maybe? He decided to join the group to strictly research and get the story from the inside. His boss, his friends, and even his mother warned him otherwise. They insisted that he didn't know what groups like that were capable of. Tyson was confident that he would not be brainwashed.

So what's the story behind this self-help group? What happens to Tyson? Who started that fire?

Find out for yourself in Dale Robert's The Following.

Honestly, when I began this book, I didn't know how it was going to turn out. It kept me interested, no doubt, but that self-help group was creeping me out! I believe that was the intended effect, because it went with mood of the story. My thoughts of the group went back and forth. One moment it seemed as though they were the manipulating types as Tyson suspected, but at other times I wasn't sure what to think about them. Roberts had me guessing until the very last page. I loved reading this thriller!

This week for my journalism class, I am supposed to "build a case" based on my own opinion. I wanted to do something relative to the book to tie everything together. It needed to be something I could research, so my opinion on the book doesn't suffice. I decided to feed off of a quote in the book:

"If God is all powerful, can he make a rock so big he can't move it?"
-Dale Roberts, The Following

This was spoken in one of the training sessions with the self-help group in the story. I'm not assuming that this is Roberts' point of view. I understand he was writing in the point of view of the trainer. The following argument does not reflect the view of Dale Roberts or his novel. It is strictly my own opinions and research.

Being a Christian, I did not like this statement. I firmly believe that God IS "all powerful" as the quote says, but his power should not be questioned. Isaiah 26:4 states, "Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock." God is described as a rock in this passage, an everlasting rock, at that. Nothing can be greater.

The trainer in the book only said this to make the participants believe that he/she was his/her own god. I believe this view is reflected in many aspects of the world today. Our country was built on Christian beliefs, but it is not practiced as it should be.

“It is about the greatness of God, not the significance of man. God made man small and the universe big to say something about himself.”
— John Piper

John Piper is the founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College and Seminary.

God did not make us small or powerless to make us feel insignificant or worthless. He created us this way to show how powerful He is. Everyone in the group believed those words from the trainer. They all fell for his taunting.

There will always be temptation in the world and people telling us that God isn't real. I will never believe that. I have faith in my Father. His love is what gets me through each day. I try to show His love in everything I do, including writing these blogs.

Everyone can appreciate sun-power.  The sun lights our days so we can see nature all around us.  (Even a blind person can feel the warmth of the sun.)
-Institution for Creation Research

http://www.icr.org/power-of-God/ 

 God's power can be seen EVERYWHERE! We just have to open our eyes! I love how it states that "even a blind person can feel" it! It's not the physical things we see. It's all about faith!

For more scientific proof of God's power, watch Louie Giglio speaks on some of the physical aspects of the universe that shows just how powerful God is in this video: (There are a total of five videos; this is the first). All of the videos can be accessed on YouTube.

"The MacKinnon Series" by J.A. Templeton

"I couldn't feel anything-except for the pain. Nothing could take away the pain."
-J.A. Templeton, The Deepest Cut

"Maybe there was such a thing as being scared to death..."
-J.A. Templeton, The Haunted

"She had haunted me for months now, and I was ready to put it behind me forever."
-J.A. Templeton, The Departed

I struck gold in the free books on Amazon over Christmas break. Not only did I find "Waking Up Married" by Mira Lyn Kelly, I also found "The Deepest Cut" by J.A. Templeton. When I read the sample, it was obvious that this book was targeted toward a young adult, or high school, audience. The plot was excellent, so I didn't care if it wasn't meant for my age group.

I can't imagine ever losing a parent, or any loved one close to me for that matter. I don't ever want to know what that feels like. Riley, along with her brother and father, lost her mother in a car accident recently. People, especially teenagers can be affected by this in many different ways. Some become seclusive, some become depressed, and others start seeing ghosts. Right?

Riley isn't exactly sure why she woke up in the hospital with the ability to see ghosts, but she has had to deal with it for almost a year now. She was sent to the psychiatrist, but what does that help? Thinking that the trauma of it all was just too much, the doctor suggested that they move. Naturally, they move to Scotland. Moving into an old inn next to an ancient castle didn't exactly solve the problem.

While exploring around the castle, a young ghost approached her. Never before had she interacted with a ghost her own age. She grew to really love his company, and finally she grew to love him completely. Too bad another ghost wanted her dead.

Laria would stop at nothing.

This isn't your average campfire ghost story. Templeton had me shaking under my sheets when I read every night. I went through all three books like wildfire. There are so many twists; I was always on my toes. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, Templeton would throw me for another loop. There was never a dull moment in these books! The emotions that Riley feels were so real, that I felt them, myself. Templeton's details and imagery will make you think that Laria is watching you, too.

There is also a novella by J.A. Templeton, The MacKinnon Curse, but I did not have the pleasure of reading it just yet. I decided I should probably venture to other books so I could write about them here.

Templeton's books are available on on the Kindle! The first book is free, while the other two were $2.99 each, or at least around that much. Find out why Laria wants to haunt and kill Riley.

This week I did not make my own version of the covers. The covers were all too similar, so I decided to just take pictures representing the series. The first photo shows Laria haunting Riley. She is ALWAYS there. The second is a close-up of Laria. The third represents a scene from the final book where Riley and her friends tamper with a Wigi board. Laria and an accomplice appears at the party. Again, I'm not the best at photoshop, but I tried!

Special thanks to Brandey for posing as Riley, Katy for posing as Laria, and Tabby and Dani for helping with the party scene!