Tuesday, September 27, 2016

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman | Book Review

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman


Reading Group: High School+

Personal Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Given Summary: Read the New York Times bestseller that has taken the world by storm!

Meet Ove. He’s a curmudgeon—the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him “the bitter neighbor from hell.” But must Ove be bitter just because he doesn’t walk around with a smile plastered to his face all the time?

Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove’s mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents’ association to their very foundations.

A feel-good story in the spirit of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, Fredrik Backman’s novel about the angry old man next door is a thoughtful exploration of the profound impact one life has on countless others. “If there was an award for ‘Most Charming Book of the Year,’ this first novel by a Swedish blogger-turned-overnight-sensation would win hands down” (Booklist, starred review).


Cover: The cover of this book is drawn, given a slightly cartoon look.  It displays Ove looking out at something we can't see and the cat looking at it with him.  I think the cover does a nice job of showing Ove looking forward towards the future.

My Review:  I thought this book was so cute.  It's the type of book were you just smile and shake your head because everyone knows an Ove.  Someone who is just stubborn and stuck in their ways and believes the world is full of morons.  The use of metaphors and similes in this story were fantastic and added such a funny level to a scene were maybe things were tense or awkward.  The main part of the story takes place over three weeks, and yet that's all it takes for Ove's life to completely change.  A new family moves into his neighborhood and suddenly people need him for things like ladders and driving lessons and keeping their husbands in their home and buying gifts that parents refuse too.  In the process of trying to kill himself, Ove finds so may reasons to live.  Ove suffered his fair share of unfortunate events, but he was always to do what he thought was the right thing, but when he lost his wife he didn't see the reason to continue on.  So he tried to kill himself.  Numerous times.  And he was never able to do it because something always interrupted him and eventually he stopped trying and died years later when it was his time to die.  Ove turned into a seemingly bitter old man to someone who was considered a grandfather to the neighborhood kids.  His wife always said that when she lost her own child she was able to gain thousands through teaching and so did Ove and he was able to learn a lot along the way.  This book was a great read and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who knows someone too stubborn for their own good.



Click to stay connected:
Main Twitter: @juliann_guerra
Second Twitter: @writerjewels
Instagram: juliann_guerra
Second Instagram: writerjewels
Tumblr: juliann-guerra
Goodreads: Juliann Guerra
Wattpad: @writerjewels
Pinterest: Juliann Guerra
Spotify: juliann.guerra
Bloglovin: Juliann Guerra
SHARE:

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

In The Blood by Lisa Unger | Book Review

In The Blood by Lisa Unger


Reading Group: 17 years+

Personal Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Given Summary: A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR! Silver Falchion Award Winner, Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee, Suspense Magazine Best Books, Sun Sentinel Best Mystery Novels, Indie Next Pick and Amazon Best Book of the Month!

Liar, liar, pants on fire . . . College senior Lana Granger has told so many lies about her past that the truth seems like a distant, cloudy nightmare.  But she meets her match when she begins babysitting for a volatile, manipulative eleven-year-old boy.  Soon after Lana takes the job, her close friend Beck mysteriously disappears.  Lana instantly begins fabricating stories - to friends, to police, to herself.  Why doesn't her account jibe with those of eye-witnesses?  Lana will do anything to bury the truth about that night ... and about her life.  But someone else knows her secrets.  And he's dying to tell.


Cover: The cover of this books has someone, presumably Lane, on the cover.  It's dark and mysterious which is pretty much how you can sum up this whole book.

My Review:  A friend of mine gave me this book to read and I really enjoyed it.  It was a mystery so I was trying to figure everything out before I got to the end.  I was able to figure out quite a few things, but there was still something on the last page I wasn't expecting.  I don't want to give anything away because it is a book that tries to see how much of a detective you are, but I will say that this book dealt with some big issues that not many people can relate to, but everyone can learn more about.  Everyone has family issues, but not everyone you meet has two killers in their family.  And plenty of people have mental issues or confusion about sexuality, but this book brings it to another level that keeps you captivated throughout.  Like the title says, some things about us are there from the day we're born; it's in the blood.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries or crime shows.  It's a great read that keeps you guessing until the very end.


Click to stay connected:
Main Twitter: @juliann_guerra
Second Twitter: @writerjewels
Instagram: juliann_guerra
Second Instagram: writerjewels
Tumblr: juliann-guerra
Goodreads: Juliann Guerra
Wattpad: @writerjewels
Pinterest: Juliann Guerra
Spotify: juliann.guerra
Bloglovin: Juliann Guerra
SHARE:

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Before by Anna Todd | Book Review

Before by Anna Todd



Reading Group: Anyone who read After

Personal Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Given Summary: BEFORE Hardin met Tessa he was a raging storm. DURING those first moments they met, he realized he needed to keep her for himself—his life depended on it. AFTER they got together, the world would never be the same.

Hardin and Tessa’s dramatic love affair became a vortex pulling in everyone around them. For the first time these others are given voice as they appear before, during, and after the events in original After novels. Alongside them, Hardin’s account of his first encounters with Tessa—which will change what you thought you knew about the brooding boy and the angel who loved him.

Cover: The cover of this book is yellow and very bright.  It looks almost as if someone tried to take a picture of the sun.

My Review: I bought this book when it was released and I only just now finished reading it.  It took me so long to reread the first four books, but I finally did it.  I loved Before because I love Hardin and his point of view.  As many of you know, I got annoyed with Tessa pretty easily, but I have such a soft spot for Hardin.  I love how half the time he doesn't even know how he offends Tessa and when she gets mad, he gets so confused.  I also liked that the book incorporated more than just Hardin.  It gave insight on Molly and Steph and so many others and it was nice to see where all of the characters came from.  The 'After' section was also something I really enjoyed.  I love Smith, I think he's a funny kid and I love the future Hessa stuff because that's when they're always happy and it's great.  One thing I do wish was in Hardin's section was the "I love you" scene, even if it started when Tessa went to find him at the soccer field.  I loved that part of After, so it would have been nice to get it from Hardin's point of view.  I think this book really ties up Hessa's story nicely and hints at Landon's books enough to get everyone excited for them.  If you loved After and were able to make it through the entire series, this book is definitely a great way to finish it off.     

I also really wish Anna would write something about the two years when Hardin lived in Chicago, even if it's just something short and on Wattpad.

Smile!  I'll talk to you soon!xxx
Stay Connected:
Main Twitter: juliann_guerra

Second Twitter: writerjewels
Instagram: juliann_guerra
Tumblr: juliann-guerra
Goodreads: Juliann Guerra
Wattpad: writerjewels
Pinterest: Juliann Guerra
Spotify: juliann.guerra
Bloglovin: Juliann Guerra
Blogger: Juliann Guerra 
SHARE:

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Fighting to be Free by Kirsty Moseley | Book Review

Fighting to be Free by Kirsty Moseley 


CLICK COVER TO PURCHASE

Reading Group: High School+

Personal Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Given Summary: All his life, people have told Jamie Cole that he was born bad. Maybe it's true, maybe it's not. But that doesn't matter now. Because after a lifetime of demons, Jamie has finally found an angel.

Ellie Pearce learned the hard way that boys can't be trusted. But the night she meets Jamie, something shifts. He's different: brooding, a bit dark, determined to change. The connection they share is intense, compelling. Ellie tries to resist, but with each breathtaking kiss, she can't help falling deeper.

Things between Ellie and Jamie are perfect-and perfection can't last. When fate goes horribly wrong, Jamie's only hope of saving his family is to strike a deal with the devil. Most of all, Jamie wants to prove he's the person Ellie believes him to be. But if she learns just how much he's been hiding, Ellie won't be able to believe anything Jamie has ever told her . 


Cover: The cover of this book shows Jamie looking down and a little bit like he's questioning whatever it is he's about to do.  There is also a warehouse in the background which makes sense once you read the story!!  

My Review:  I know my reviews are more like ramblings about what I liked and didn't like about the book, but today's is different because I got this book as an Advanced Readers Copy and it came out today so I won't be saying anything that will give away spoilers.  I will tell you that I absolutely loved this book!  This is the third book by Kirsty Moseley that I've read and it is my favorite.  It's about love and loss and decisions and it's told in the point of view of both Ellie and Jamie.  I noticed in some other reviews that some people didn't really like Ellie's character, but I did.  Some people think she is too naive, but I think she was trusting.  She put a lot of trust in Jamie and expected him to have the same trust in her.  She also very rarely jumped to conclusions and if she did she was able to apologize for her mistakes and she trusted her gut to know when things weren't right.  Jamie was such a lovable boy, but he was also tough.  His character reminds us that our past doesn't dictate our futures, but it's hard to run away from the past, sometimes impossible.  He wants to be a man Ellie deserves and it comes with a huge sacrifice on his part that absolutely tore me apart, but made me wicked excited for the sequel that comes out in December.  If you read Always You or Free Falling by Kirsty Moseley than you will enjoy this story, maybe even more like me.  I highly recommend you check it out and let me know what you think!


Other blogposts I've written regarding Kirtsy Moseley:
Free Falling Book Review
Kirsty Moseley New Cover Reveal
Cover Reveal Reaction
     


Click to stay connected:
Main Twitter: @juliann_guerra
Second Twitter: @writerjewels
Instagram: juliann_guerra
Second Instagram: writerjewels
Tumblr: juliann-guerra
Goodreads: Juliann Guerra
Wattpad: @writerjewels
Pinterest: Juliann Guerra
Spotify: juliann.guerra
Bloglovin: Juliann Guerra
SHARE:
© Juliann Guerra
Blogger Templates by pipdig