Thursday, March 31, 2016

Bookish Lifestyle Digest: March 2016

Check out any posts you missed this month below and be sure to let us know your favorite memory from this month!



You have have noticed we have a new button for our 2016 TBR Pile Reading Challenge. Our darling Evie was not a fan of the original - and since we here at Bookish Lifestyle bow to her creative abilities - so she changed it. Look at the cute little doggie!

Evie also posted her January - February wrap up and while it's too late to enter the giveaway, you can still check out all the great reviews from participants!

We also posted the discussion for The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken so be sure to check that out and join in the fun! You can also win a mug designed be Evie!

Book Reviews


Andrea, 5/5
Evie, 5/5
Andrea, 3/5 (TBT) 
Andrea, 3/5

Debbie, 5/5
Andrea, 5/5
Andrea, 3/5 (TBT) 
Debbie, 5/5d

Andrea, 5/5
Andrea, 3/5
Andrea, 5/5 
March TBR

Andrea, DNF (TBT)
Andrea, 4/5 (TBT)





Lifestyle Reviews




Promotional Posts

 

Discussion Posts


Debbie participated in the Unpopular Book Opinions Tag. Check out her responses and add your own!
Tell us - what went on in your month?! What were some of your favorite books this month? Favorite posts from either your blog or others? What are some new (or old) and noteworthy things we should know about? Be sure to leave a link!

Throwback Thursday Book Review: Speak Easy by Melanie Harlow

Some of you may know that I originally had my own blog, Beauty but a Funny Girl, prior to joining Bookish (now Bookish Lifestyle). I was thinking the other day about all those reviews I left behind when I transferred and thought they should get some love too - no matter how badly written and newbie they come off! So I present to you: Throwback Thursday Reviews! Every once in a while I'll post an old review from Beauty but a Funny Girl, unedited in terms of content, with the exception of any spelling or grammatical mistakes. It's definitely going to be fun and interesting to see how my tastes and writing style have changed over the years!




Series:
Speak Easy #1
Genre:
Young Adult, Historical Fiction
Publication.Date:July 22, 2013
Pages:233 (eARC)
Published By:  CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Website:Melanie Harlow

Speak Easy on Goodreads
My review copy:
Received in exchange for an honest book review

Where to get:
  



Temptation is everywhere.

It's July, 1923. By day twenty-year-old Tiny O’Mara works for her father’s smalltime bootlegging operation. By night she craves the roll-your-stockings-down lifestyle of a flapper, but with her mother gone, she’s usually stuck at home with two younger sisters—until her father is kidnapped by a mobster in Detroit's exploding organized crime scene, and it’s Tiny who has to come up with the ten-thousand-dollar ransom.

In one week.

Enzo DiFiore’s screen-idol looks and dangerous charm leave her breathless, even though he’s the son of the mobster holding her father hostage. But when the forbidden spark between them refuses to burn out, she tries to use their powerful attraction to buy more time.

And then there’s Joey Lupo, the irritatingly handsome pest from her childhood who’s got the street smarts Tiny needs to smuggle enough booze to make a quick ten grand. But he’s got his own agenda where gang rivalries are concerned, and despite his promise to protect her, Tiny isn’t sure she can trust Joey—or stop her growing feelings for him.

To save her father’s life, she’ll have to choose between them. But deciding whom to trust isn’t easy in a world where everyone wants something—be it booze, money, power, or sex—and no one cares what it takes to get it.

(Goodreads)

Originally posted July 25, 2013 on Beauty but a Funny Girl

I am a sucker for historical novels, especially if they involve certain time periods. Like the 1920s. I love the 1920s. I probably wouldn't want to live in the 1920s, but it's certainly a fun time period to read about. And Harlow's Speak Easy is the perfect read.

The drama starts off pretty much right away. We're introduced to major characters in the novel and get a nice background in regards to Tiny and her family. Her father has a pretty neat set up with their bootlegging business, which Tiny helps make deliveries for.

After receiving a mysterious phone call, Tiny arrives at their boathouse to find her father beaten and tied up. Standing behind him is Angel DiFiore who informs Tiny that she has to pay him $10,000 (roughly $136,225 today) or else he will murder her father. Angel is kind enough to allow Tiny to pay in two easy installments of $5,000 each. The first installment being due tomorrow night. Easy, right?

Once alone in the boathouse, Tiny is trying to process everything when Joey Lupo, her sister's husband's cousin (got that?), shows up. Joey offers to help Tiny get the money and thus begins the drama.

Tiny does everything in her power to sell the whiskey they do have, obtain more, and not completely breakdown. I am actually rather impressed how well Tiny handles the situation. There were snags in plans and hiccups along the way, but Tiny continually keeps a level head and is able to put things right, with help along the way from friends.

I really admire her courage and strength. The men are threatening to kill her father and she stands up to Enzio (Angel's son), keeps the secret from her sisters, and struggles through this delimia in order to safe her father.

Okay, shacking up with the son of the men who is holding your father captive - probably not so levelheaded. (Why is "levelheaded" and word, but "levelhead" isn't?) Though in her defense, Enzio is a pretty captivating figure. And their hookup scenes are pretty damn hot.

But still. ARE YOU CRAZY?! I don't care how much he looks like a movie star. His. Father. Will. Kill. Yours. Thanksgiving is going to be pretty awkward.

Joey on the other hand is a really sweet guy and it's unfortunate the things he has to do in order to help Tiny. It's clear that he has feelings for Tiny, and she him, but you know, things keep getting in their way. *cough*Enzio*cough* He's a sweet character, whom I would have liked to see more of, and I'm curious to see as where the events of this book are going to lead him.

Over all I really enjoyed the story. There was tension, action, mystery, intrigue, and a hint of romance. There a range of characters and Harlow does a nice job of giving them all their own voice, even the minor characters. I would have like Tiny to be less infatuated with Enzio, given the circumstances, and for some of these problems not to have been so easily solved. To me, at least, some of the fixes came about far too smoothly and quickly.

I did feel like I was in the 1920s. There was occasionally dialogue/slang where I was thrown off, but it added to the story - use your powers of observation to figure it out!

I really did enjoy Speak Easy with its setting, characters, and plot. Once I finished I immediately wanted more! When I signed up for this tour I hadn't realized it was book one in a series and I'm so glad that it is for I shall definitely be continuing.


Wednesday, March 30, 2016

My Own Glittering Court

Richelle Mead's The Glittering Court is a wonderful story of women coming from nothing (or almost nothing) and given the chance to become something / someone.
For a select group of girls, the Glittering Court offers a shot at a life they’ve only ever dreamed of, one of luxury, glamour, and leisure. To high-born Adelaide, whose wealthy family is forcing her into a loveless marriage, the Glittering Court represents something else: the chance to chart her own destiny, and adventure in an unspoiled, prosperous new land across the sea.

After a chance meeting with the dazzling Cedric Thorn, Adelaide poses as a servant to join the crop of impoverished girls he promises to transform into proper ladies. But her familiarity with upper class life comes with a price: she must hide her identity from her new friends, mysterious refugee Mira and fiery former laundress Tamsin, and most importantly, from Cedric himself—even though she’s falling in love with him.

Everything begins to crumble when Cedric discovers Adelaide’s ruse, and she catches the eye of a powerful young governor, who wants her for a wife. She didn’t leave the gilded cage of her old life behind just to become someone else's property. But nothing is as daunting—or as wonderful—as the potent, forbidden attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. One that, if acted on, would make them both outcasts in a wild, dangerous, uncharted world, and possibly lead them to their deaths.



After taking the courses at the designated manor (there are three), the girls are sort into classes based on their final test scores. One year it was flowers, this year it's gem stones. Now, while diamond is the prettiest, highest, and most sought after I have no delusions that I would be The Diamond. Never mind I'm not coordinated enough to walk and chew gum at the same time, let alone perfectly perform all those fancy dances they need to learn.

americangemsociety.org
I'm going to assume my gemstone would fit somewhere in the middle. Not horrible, not great. And what gemstone would I get? Peridot, of course! Why Peridot? Because that's my birthstone, that's why.

When I was growing up I hated my birthstone. I thought it was an ugly shade a green. I would have preferred to have been born in any other month than August with it's pukey, pea green gemstone. However, when I got older, I appreciated it a bit more and came to love it. I'll admit that it's still not the prettiest color, but it's mine and that's that.

I would not be the sole-Peridot, of course not. I would have my five (soon to be) best friends at my side:

Eliza Hamilton from Hamilton (and real life). Elisa endured a lot in her life. A revolution, loving husband, cheating husband, son and husband dying in a duel (this isn't spoilers, this is history people - deal), but she still was able to keep it all together to fight slavery, raise funds, build the first publish orphanage. Girl had guts and brains.

Hermione Granger from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Hermione is always a great character, but my favorite incarnation of her is from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This Hermione is stronger and smarter than she (or we) could have imagined. She helps defeat Voldemort, takes punches like a champ, and doesn't let anything deter her. This is definitely a girl I need in my class.

Feyre from A Court of Thorns and Roses. Seriously a bad ass. Feyre keeps her family alive and isn't afraid to take the punishment when Tamlin comes in retribution for her killing a Fae. She adapts to her new life and when it comes time to stand taller than she ever has and put up with more than she thought she could handle, she comes out on top. (Plus it doesn't hurt that Rhys would probably be lurking about.)

Éponine Thénardier from Les MiserablesÉponine is my girl. She's quick, clever, knows her way around, and loves with her whole heart. Not to mention she has a sarcastic attitude that would endear her to me for all time.

Scarlet from Scarlet. I'm not sure if Scarlet and Éponine would be mortal enemies or best friends, but I'm thinking having the two of them together would make for some good times.

If you got a chance to create your own Glittering Court, what gemstone would you be? And who would be in your class with you?

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Throwback Thursday Book Review: A Misdummer Night's Scream by R.L. Stine

Some of you may know that I originally had my own blog, Beauty but a Funny Girl, prior to joining Bookish (now Bookish Lifestyle). I was thinking the other day about all those reviews I left behind when I transferred and thought they should get some love too - no matter how badly written and newbie they come off! So I present to you: Throwback Thursday Reviews! Every once in a while I'll post an old review from Beauty but a Funny Girl, unedited in terms of content, with the exception of any spelling or grammatical mistakes. It's definitely going to be fun and interesting to see how my tastes and writing style have changed over the years!



Series:
Standalone
Genre:
Young Adult, Horror, Mystery
Publication.Date:July 2, 2013
Pages:250 (paperback)
Published By:  Feiwel & Friends
Website:R.L. Stine

A Misdummer Night's Scream on Goodreads
My review copy:
Borrowed from the library

Where to get:
  



Get ready for laughter to turn into screams in R.L. Stine's re-imagining of Shakespeare's classic romantic comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Everyone knows that Mayhem Manor is cursed. After production on the horror film was stopped due to a series of mysterious deaths, it became a Hollywood legend--which makes it perfect for Claire and her family. If they can successfully finish the film, it should be enough to save their ailing movie studio.

Sure, the old haunted house is creepy, and strange stuff has been happening, but this is Claire's chance. Her chance to become the movie star she's always dreamed and her chance to finally convince her friend Jake that she is girlfriend material. Of course, the fact that Jake thinks he's in love with her best friend, Delia, who is crushing hard on Jake's friend Shawn, who insists on following Claire around, could be a problem, but Claire is sure she can figure it out. After all, the course of true love never did run smooth.

But once shooting starts, "creepy and strange" morph into "bloody and deadly," as the lines between film and reality begin to blur...

(Goodreads)

Originally posted August 10, 2013 on Beauty but a Funny Girl

Hum...

I struggled through this book. Struggled to make it to 50 pages.

So the book starts out with a group of friends in a creepy mansion and one of them dies. Boom. Right off the bat. And instead of trying to get out of there and flee for their lives, what do they do? They look for food! "Gee our friend was just murdered in front of us. I'm famished!"

Seriously? Seriously.

Turns out this isn't real! It's just the beginning of a movie that is being remade. Supposdly these actors really died in the scenes we just read. Few questions. If they really died, why did the film crew keep, you know, filming? Why is the footage still around? 

Anyway. Our stage follows Claire, whose parents own the movie studio remaking the movie, and her BFFN (best friend for now) Delia to a pool party and another rich kid's house. Drama ensues and I'm apparently reading the diary of a 14-year-old preteen.

I couldn't do it anymore. I got a chapter or two past the end of this party and checked out. The sentences were choppy, the story unbelievable and unrelatable. 

Part of me was also expected this novel to be somewhat related to Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. If you're going to play on the title so heavily, there should be some relation to the original other than the fact that this all takes place on midsummer night.

Monday, March 21, 2016

March TBR Pile Book Club: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken


Hi guys! Welcome to the March TBR Pile Book Club where we'll discuss The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken! Huge thank you to everyone who will join us to discuss this AMAZING book!

Don't forget that everyone who takes part in our January TBR Pile Book Club is going to get 5 extra entries into the next TBR Pile Reading Challenge giveaway!

About the Book

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
Series: The Darkest Minds #1
Published: December 18, 2012 by Disney Hyperion
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction
Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that got her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that had killed most of America’s children, but she and the others emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they could not control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones. When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. She is on the run, desperate to find the only safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who have escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents. When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at having a life worth living.

Discussion Questions

1) If you contracted IAAN, which category would you want to be in? (Red, Fire;  Orange, Mind Control; Yellow, Electricity;  Blue, Telekinesis; Green, Intelligence)

2) What were you initial impressions? Do you like the writing style? Did the prologue pique your interest?

3) Thoughts on Ruby wiping Liam's mind? Is it for the best?

4) What do you think about the government's way of "dealing" with the kids with special powers? Why did they send them to work camps where they were mistreated and abused, instead of trying to understand/study their abilities, or even training the kids and use their powers?

5) Ruby is very scared, naive and distrustful (which is completely understandable after what she's been through). Do you find her to be a believable character? What did you think about her character development?

6) How did you feel about the relationship between Ruby and Liam? Did you think it was rushed?

7) Do you think the story line is bullet-proof or did you have any issues with the plot-line and the logic behind the world-building?

8) Do you think Chubs is okay? Do you have any predictions for how things will turn out for him?

9) How do you think things will turn out for Zu? Why do you think Clancy approved her group to leave in the first place?

10) What are your opinions of Clancy? Is he redeemable? Do you think he really would have run?

11) How do you imagine things panning out for Ruby and Liam? Will he ever get his memories back? Do you think he'll hold it against Ruby when (or if?) he finds out?

12) How did you react to the end? Did you cry? (Jess BAWLED. For a considerable amount of time. Like, at least half an hour.) Do you plan to read the next book--and if you do, will you jump in soon, or are you going to give some time in between because the end to this one was so traumatizing?

Please leave your answers in the comment section below and don't forget to respond to other comments so we can have an amazing discussion! We'll be checking in and responding as well  :)


Keep in my that if you haven't read The Darkest Minds, we WILL be discussing spoilers! Avoid the comments if you don't want to be spoiled! You've been warned!

Additionally, do NOT post any spoilers regarding Never FadeIn the Afterlife, or any of the novellas. We read all the comments and not only will your comment be deleted in its entirely, but you'll spoil the books for us and that's a dick move.

Our Favorite Quotes
"Let's carpe the hell out of this diem."
"Ruby, give me one reason why we can’t be together, and I’ll give you a hundred why we can. We can go anywhere you want. I’m not your parents. I’m not going to abandon you or send you away, not ever."
"Where did she come from, and where can I find one?"

"Picked this one up at a gas station in West Virginia, bargain price. Last one on the shelf, sorry."
"Where in the world did you get that dress?"

"Present from Zu."

"You look like you want to throw it in a fire."

"I can't promise there won't be an unfortunate accident later on."
But part of surviving is being able to move on.
"We'll just have to try to make better mistakes tomorrow."
"They were never scared of the kids who might die, or the empty spaces they would leave behind. They were afraid of us-the ones who lived."
"The most important thing you ever did was learn how to survive. Do not let anyone make you feel like you shouldn't have."
"I think we should stop for the night," Chubs said. "Are you going to find a park?"

"Relax, buddy; I got this," Liam said.

"You keep saying that," Chubs muttered, sitting back, "and then it's, Oh, sorry team, let's huddle together for warmth, while the bears try to break in and eat our food."

"Yeah...sorry about that," Liam said. "But hey, what's life without a little adversity?"
"And there I was, trying to be all valiant and stuff by catching you?" He chuckled, using the closest tree to help him stand. "Lesson learned! You're falling next time, darlin', because, man, you have a hard head..."
"Maybe nothing will ever change for us," he said. "But don't you want to be around just in case it does?"


As a special treat this month, we're giving away one of Evie's expertly designed mugs! Enter via the rafflecopter below and don't forget to comment on the discussion questions. Beware: we've read the book, so we'll be able to tell if your answers are legit or full of bologna - which gets you disqualified. And Andrea used to be a teacher, she can spot those answers a mile away!



Never too late to join!
Head on over to our 2016 TBR Pile Reading Challenge Guidelines and Sign Ups! post to sign up if you haven't already.



Sunday, March 20, 2016

Audiobook Review: A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall


Series:
Standalone
Genre:
Young Adult, Romance, Realistic Fiction
Publication.Date:August 26, 2014
Pages:Audiobook
Published By:  Swoon Reads
Website:Sandy Hall 

A Little Something Different on Goodreads
My review copy:
Borrowed from Library

Where to get:
http://www.amazon.com/What-I-Thought-Was-True/dp/0803739095 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/breaking-the-rules-katie-mcgarry/1119564024?ean=9781460341438 http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780803739093



Lea and Gale are in the same creative writing class. They get the same pop culture references, order the same Chinese food, and hang out in the same places. Unfortunately, Lea is a little aloof, Gabe is shy, and it looks like they are never going to work things out.

But something is happening between them, and everyone can see it. Their creative writing teacher pushes them together. The baristas at the local Starbucks watch their relationship like a TV series. The bus driver tells his wife about them. The waitress at the diner automatically seats them together. Even the squirrel who lives on the college green believes Lea and Gabe were meant to be together.

Fall in love with falling in love with this irresistibly romantic, completely original novel!

(Goodreads)


All. Kinds. Of. Cute.

I listened to A Little Something Different in two sessions of yard / house work. Some of this had to do with the fact that we are overhauling our backyard and did a lot of work, the rest had to do with me not being able to stop listening.

My favorite thing about this novel is the narrative. Our main characters aren't the narrators, which puts the reader in the position of being their friend, Starbucks barista, or a squirrel and allows us to experience the frustration of these two not taking a step toward the relationship they both clearly want to be in. I love seeing their interactions through the eyes of all these people, because we really get to see Lea and Gabe in all areas of interaction and get a full experience. The unique perspective of being an outsider to our main characters, but at the same time seeing them in various social situations makes for a great story.

One of my favorite point of views was from their creative writing teacher. She pegged them from day one as "a couple" and made it her mission to get them together. She would create assignments in hopes that they would partner up or discuss them together and get the ball rolling - she even encouraged both of them to take Creative Writing II when the semester ended. She was also constantly annoyed with Hillary, another student in the class, when she would foil her plans by pairing of with Gabe . . . or just talking in general.

Sandy did an amazing job creating a love story told from outside perspectives. I never felt like I didn't get the whole story or that I was missing something by not being inside Lea's or Gabe's head, even when part of the story was being told by a squirrel or park bench. Despite being told in numerous perspectives, each character holds true to their own personalities. They're not cardboard characters created just for the purpose of a unique narrative, but players of the story in their own right.

If you're looking for a fun and unique love story, that is both fun and lighthearted, you'll definitely want to pick up A Little Something Different.


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