Review: Dangerous Boys by Abigail Haas

Thank you to Faye from THE SOCIAL POTATO for running that giveaway! I won!

 

Three teens venture into the abandoned Monroe estate one night; hours later, only two emerge from the burning wreckage. Chloe drags one Reznick brother to safety, unconscious and bleeding; the other is left to burn, dead in the fire. But which brother survives? And is his death a tragic accident? Desperate self-defense? Or murder? Chloe is the only one with the answers. As the fire rages, and police and parents demand the truth, she struggles to piece together the story of how they got there-a story of jealousy, twisted passion, and the darkness that lurks behind even the most beautiful of faces…

My Rating:

Why?

        It plays to my love for all things messed up. Seriously, this novel messes with you big time. I was on WTF mode the whole time (that's a positive response from me). Sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me give a brief intro. This is a story about Chloe. Very unfortunate Chloe. No rabbit foot Chloe. I-could-pass-off-as-a-Baudelaire-Chloe. At first, it might seem that the story is about how she's dealing with life's bitchiness. But of course, there's more. It then takes us on a terrifyingly vivid journey to Chloe's emancipation. I loved this book because the characters literally change before your eyes. You turn a page and they become so unfamiliar that you seem to be reading a different book altogether. I enjoyed the uncertainty, not knowing or even having the tiniest bit of an idea what will happen next. 

          Another thing that is memorable for me is that this book managed to pique my curiosity. I wanted to know how other people would respond given the same situation Chloe was in. Was it who she really was or is it just a phase? You'll know what I'm talking about when you read it. I recommend it to those who enjoy playing games, not those kinda games, but mind games. Oh and I highly recommend it to people who feels stuck at the moment. I'm not saying to copy the book but it's an option. *wink*

             The reason why it's a 4/5 is because I'm a sucker for the usual endings. I can't go into it too much without any spoilers but let me just say I like my little ducks in a row. It felt kind of anticlimactic somehow because I want explosions at the end, fireworks, a kiss before the camera pans and zooms out to show the credits. Well, that's just me. But I suggest you get up/go online and get yourself a copy of this book. You'll finish it in less than a day I tell ya.

If you've read the book, how will you have reacted if you were in Chloe's shoes? and if you haven't read it then..what are you waiting for?! 

Weekend Read: The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

The inventor of the world's first clock is punished for trying to measure God's greatest gift. He is banished to a cave for centuries and forced to listen to the voices of all who come after him seeking more days, more years. Eventually, with his soul nearly broken, Father Time is granted his freedom, along with a magical hourglass and a mission: a chance to redeem himself by teaching two earthly people the true meaning of time. He returns to our world - now dominated by the hour-counting he so innocently began - and commences a journey with two unlikely partners: one a teenage girl who is about to give up on life, the other a wealthy old businessman who wants to live forever. To save himself, he must save them both. And stop the world to do so

My Rating:

Why: 

           It was an easy read. The words and the meaning were easy to grasp and the message of the book was very clear. The story started about the Father of Time and how he became who he is. It's different since it changes point of view between the three characters. The simple narration really made it a pleasurable read for me because it was one of those days when I don't want to analyze things too much. The reason why it only got three stars is because the lesson in the story is something that I've already realized a long time ago. Meaning there wasn't much revelation in terms of me relating to the story. I already know how important time is and I neither want to take my life nor extend it for an abnormal period of time. Overall, it was a nice reminder of something very dear to me which is to spend time as much as possible with the people I love and to not waste it on things such as holding grudges, wallowing and whole lotta bunch of negative stuff. I recommend it to those who love Albom's writing since it doesn't disappoint in that aspect.  

Happy playlist

             We all have that go to playlist whenever we need a bit of cheering up. I know that aside from a good book and tight tight hug from my daughter, a happy playlist is what I need at the end of a stressful day. Click PLAY and listen to some of the songs that makes me smile.

1. Dancing Queen - Abba
2. I Love You More Today Than Yesterday - Goldfinger
3. Hold On, We're Going Home - Drake
4. Crazy - Javier
5. Save Tonight - Eagle Eye Cherry
6. Just Dance  - Jamiroquai
7. Feel It Boy - Janet Jackson Feat. Beenie Man
8. No Letting Go - Wayne Wondder
9. Do-Wop (That Thing) - Lauryn Hill
10. God is a DJ - Pink

What's in your happy playlist? :)

The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton

        This is suppose to be one of my Sci-Fi month post but I figured it's best if I post it for Throwback Thursday. Let me introduce you to one of my all-time favorite books.

 

Five prominent biophysicists give the United States government an urgent warning: sterilization procedures for returning space probes may be inadequate to guarantee uncontaminated re-entry to the atmosphere.
Two years later, Project Scoop sends seventeen satellites into the fringes of space in order to "collect organisms and dust for study." Then a probe satellite falls to the earth, landing in a desolate area of northeastern Arizona. In the nearby town of Piedmont, bodies lie heaped and flung across the ground, faces locked in frozen surprise. The terror has begun..

My Rating:

Why:

         I've finished this book in under three hours? It's a fairly straight forward novel. Although, it's not your usual storytelling since Crichton used a third person point of view. On his notes for this book, he admitted to thinking about how he would narrate the story if it was real. And that's how he came up with the sort of fact-telling narration that the book is known for. One of the reasons why I love this book is that I believed it was real. It made me feel that the scenario he's describing is happening right now. It was one of those edge of your seat kind of read. The questions that begged to be answered were "what is it?", "what's going to happen now?" and "what are they going to do?" Also, one of the positive things in this book is that even if it has some hardcore science discussion, you won't really feel left out because Crichton tries to explain it in a way that helps us understand. If you like science and feeling stressed out for the duration of reading a story then I highly recommend this book. But if you don't want lengthy explanation of scientific studies/reports then this might not be the book for you. However, I urge you to give it a shot. The Andromeda Strain was responsible for making me fall for sci-fi books. I believe it has the right mix of exciting, educational, and absolutely terrifying.

Beautiful Book Blogs Part II

Because there are many beautiful things in life, I give you Part 2 of my beautiful book blogs. Enjoy these eye candies

artsy musings of a bibliophile

What makes me happy?

             I'd like to think I'm one of those people who are easy to please. Too easy in fact, I remember my husband giving me an egg for a birthday gift. Yeah, he's very sweet that way. Anyways, I'd like to share the random things that make me happy. The simple things that gives me such a rush that it earns me dubious looks from people. (Imagine me sniffing a book in a crowded bookstore) I urge you to create a list as well. I would love to read the simple things that makes you happy.

Beautiful Book Blogs

There's a saying that goes like this: "Don't judge a book by its cover." But sometimes, isn't it nice to look at something that's beautiful. Especially if you know that a huge amount of creativity and hard work was poured into it. Allow me to highlight a few of my favorite book blog layouts. They aren't listed in any order and all of them are pretty awesome in their own right. Enjoy.

The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Giveaway

Fangirling w/ Tellulah Darling

@taraletsbehappy My pleasure! It was so fun to get into his head. :)
— Tellulah Darling (@tellulahdarling) August 10, 2014

I'm seriously in fangirl mode right now. I can't wait for her other books to come out. If you want to check her out, please visit her WEBSITE. And don't forget to subscribe to get some amazing gifts from her.

August Random Reads: The Unbearable Lightness of Being by MIlan Kundera

 I'm Loving Books

Spotlight: Sugar & Spice and everything nice

                 

Click here to visit her blog:  Sugar & Spice and everything nice

What made me smile today

Let me round up some of the random things that made me happy today:

Spotlight: Stay Bookish

Stay Bookish by Hazel

What made me smile today

I'm a HUGE HUGE Supernatural fan. Seeing this just made my day.

Credits to PopSugar for the article.

 Source: The CW

Credits to PopSugar for the article.

 The "Hate to Say I Told You So, But . . . "

  Source: The CW

  The "I'm Going to Need a Sec to Process This"

  Source: The CW

The "Kind of Totally Freaking Out Right Now"

  Source: The CW

 Credits to PopSugar for the article.

 Source: The CW

 

Source: The CW

 Source: The CW

Guess whose my favorite? I can't wait for Season 10 to come out this October. How about you? What made you smile today?

August Ebook Hoard

               Since I can't afford REAL books, I have to satisfy myself in buying the ebook version. I do however miss the smell of a book that's just been unwrapped. >sigh< I need to prioritize saving for an actual book, I want my kid to get her hands on an actual one instead of God forbid, an ebook reader. I remember getting curious about my mom's books when I was around 10 or 11. I probably wouldn't have started if there weren't any books around. I want my daughter to grow up in the same environment. I mean, I won't force her to read of course, but I want her to have that opportunity once she decides she wants to start. 

                I can't believe the amount of books available to our youth today. I'm happy that there a lot more of them that's interested in reading. When I was young, my mom didn't know of any YA books so I was forced to muddle through Valley of the Dolls and The Bourne Identity. I didn't even had Judy Blume then, I was only able to read her when I was already in my twenties. But the YA genre had increased in numbers and I'm happy knowing that there are a lot more kids reading today.

                  So as for my August Ebook Hoard, I decided to mix it up a bit. We have Fight Club, which is one of my favorite movies but sue me for not reading the book. I started on it but I just need to have more time on my hands to absorb and enjoy this book. 

-Case Mysteries by Kate Atkinson. I read the review somewhere online which I conveniently forgot. But what I can remember is the reviewer saying that this is one of the best mystery novel he has read recently.

-If I Stay by Gayle Forman. c/o the movie coming out this September 3, 2014. I have to read it before watching it to stay true to my tradition, which I broke with Perks of Being a Wallflower :(

-Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. c/o Beautiful Creatures of course!

-The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Oh! Another one to stray from tradition. I forgot. I watched the movie first before reading this. I might end up not being able to watch anything if I continue this :)

-The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. I've wanted to read this for the longest time. Ever since the movie came out last 2005. It's safe to assume that yes, I've never watched the movie. 

-The Blooming Goddess Trilogy by Tellulah Darling. Made up of My Ex From Hell, My Date From Hell and My Life From Hell. I'm reading this because I love the cover. Yes, I'm shallow. 

-And lastly, A Creature of Moonlight by Rebecca Hahn. I chanced upon this book's review in Goodreads and I immediately included it in my order.

                       Aside from my finishing these, I also have my to-read in Wattpad, my to-watch movies, and to-write blog posts. Yey August, we can do this!

Introducing: My Daughter

         I had her when I was 22. I consider that an achievement, thank you very much. Haha! But seriously, I wasn't ready to be a mother when I found out I was pregnant. Which I realized later on is stupid since being ready highly correlates with having sex. I was at that stage in my life where everything starts and ends with me being drunk, I know, as Yoda would say it "mother of the year I am not". Well the good thing about babies is that they come out whether you're ready or not. I met her one beautiful exhausting day in March. She was this big fat faced baby weighing almost 8 lbs. I loved her on sight. Everything prior to that moment seems to only lead up to this day with me holding this beautiful person in my arms. Yes, you've read, heard, watched this before. But nothing prepares you for the overwhelming feeling the first time you see your child. I was scared shitless to be more accurate. I figured I had to do a lot of growing up , and I had to do it fast. It wasn't very hard to give up on things that weren't any fun to begin with, e.g. drinking, passing out, etc. The most challenging part of parenthood for me was the financial side of things. We didn't have any savings when I gave birth, I was scared that she might end up not having the things she needs. But God has been very good to us. He gave us people who'll help us through the toughest of times. He even gave us another family to love and cherish. I consider us lucky because we were able to come this far. Given the chance I would've wanted to have a kid when we're emotionally and of course financially ready. But I don't have any regrets nor will I have any concerning her. My daughter will always be that sunshine in the midst of all the negative things in this life and therefore my ultimate happy pill which I'll never get enough of.