The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

PUBLISHER:  Riverhead Books

PUBLICATION DATE:  January 13, 2015

PAGES:  336

MY RATING: 4.5/5 

From Goodreads

This book was so good.  I had it on my shelf for quite a while and finally read it!  I know it's been compared to Gone Girl and I can see why.  Though that book was good, I enjoyed this more.  This was a much faster-paced read, more suspenseful and had a creepy-feel to it which I loved!

This book alternates between three women's point-of-views; all who each have their own individual problems and issues.  It took quite awhile for me to like the main character, Rachel.  She is an alcoholic with stalker-ish behavior and I just felt bad for her.  I disliked Anna from the beginning and still do.  Megan, I just plain felt sorry for.  

Rachel travels on the train everyday, admiring the couple she see's from the train that she has "affectionately" named "Jason" and Jess," but things are not always what they seem.  This book is full of secrets, lies and suspense!  It kept me guessing; I highly recommend it. 

I'll be seeing the movie soon and can't wait to see how it compares!

Top Ten Tuesday

This is my first Top Ten Tuesday!  It's a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.  This weeks theme is: "Ten Characters I'd name a child/dog/cat/car/etc. after."

10 Characters I'd name a child/pet after:

1.  Feyre - This is literally probably the only name that I've come across in a book that I would actually name a child.  It is so pretty.

This reminded me of another favorite of mine, Freya.

2.  Liv - This name makes me think of Liv Tyler, but I've always liked it because it's unique and simple.  Though, it could be a nickname, I like just like it is.

3.  Kestrel - At first, this one of those names that I wasn't sure if I liked or not.  Not even sure if it's a "real" name or something that was made up for the book.  The more I read The Winner's Curse, the more I grew to like it. 

4.  Winter - I've definitely heard of this name before, but I've always found it pretty.  I think I've only come across one in my life.  I knew of three sisters once when I was younger, that were named Winter, Autumn and Summer.  I used to think that was really cool.

5.  Nora - I remember reading A Doll's House in high school and then again recently to help catch up with my goodreads goal last year.  I still like this name.

6.  Scarlet - I've liked this name since watching Gone with the Wind, but since I've never actually read the book, I'm using Scarlet from the Lunar Chronicles as my example. 

7.  Clary - I know this is a nickname and her real name is Clarissa (which was a name I used to like), but I just like the nickname better. 

8.  Lissa - It was really hard for me to come up with any more names, but I thought this was a decent one.

9.  Hermione - Definitely starting to reach on this one.  I picked it because it's unique and it's kind of nice.

10.  Tris - I can't stand the name Beatrice, but I do like the nickname 'Tris.'

This was pretty difficult for me to come up with 10.  I'm rather picky when it comes to naming a child; I like uncommon, real, non-trendy, not-in-the-top-100-list kind of person.  For pets, doesn't matter.   You're probably wondering why no boy name? LOL, well there hasn't been a boy name that I've come across yet that I've liked.

Review of Ex-mas by Kate Brian

From Goodreads

I was looking for a fun, quick Christmas read so I picked up Ex-mas by Kate Brian.  I'm trying to catch up to my Goodreads goal and figured that shorter books are the best way to make it.  Overall, this book was cute.  The main character, Lila was a bit annoying at the beginning, but she turned out to be okay in the end.  What bothered me about her was that she was a very fake person; completely changing herself to fit in with the popular crowd and to date her College boyfriend Erik.  But, just spending one day with her ex, Beau, makes her realize that maybe she's not really liking her life like she thought she was.  It's pretty predictable, but that didn't take away the fun of reading of it.  I gave this 3/5 stars on Goodreads.  If you're looking for a last minute Christmas book, I recommend this one.  

For other great Christmas/Holiday books, I recommend My True Love Gave To Me: Twelve Holiday Stories and Let it Snow.  I read these last year and both are great!  If anyone knows of any other great Holiday reads, let me know!

Let's be friends on Goodreads and/or follow me on Booklikes!

2016 Reading Challenge from Popsugar

Here's the 2016 Reading Challenge from Popsugar.  I didn't complete the 2015 challenge mostly because I didn't read as much as I thought I would.  Hopefully I can for next year!

New Blog

I just signed up for a BookLikes account where you can review and keep up with reading etc.  Follow me!

24 in 48 Readathon

I've decided that I want to try to participate in the 24 in 48 Readathon.  The idea is to read for 24 hours in 2 days, November 15 (today) - November 16.  I just found out about this readathon this morning, but you can still sign up.  Who knows how much reading I will get done with a toddler, but I will try.

Here are the books I plan to finish Illusions of Fate and Scarlet.  After that I will start Outlander and then see how it goes...

Book Review: Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

From Goodreads

I absolutely loved this book, the story was very enjoyable.  If I didn't have other responsibilities, I would of read this book in one-sitting.  It is a bit predictable, but it didn't stop me from rating it 5 stars on Goodreads or from enjoying the book.  Cinder is based off of Cinderella, set in the future.  Cinder is a Cyborg who was "adopted" into a family when she was eleven years old.  There is an e-book novella that gives a bit of a background story that I read before reading Cinder, and I highly recommend reading that first.  She has no memory of her life or what happened to her before then.  Her stepfather died relatively close (from Letumosis, a very deadly disease) to after she came to live with his family, and her stepmother, Adri, doesn't want her there.  Cinder has two step-sisters, one not so nice, while the other, Peony, is Cinder's only human friend.  She is also friends with the household android, Iko, that has developed somewhat of a human personality.

I disliked Adri and the "evil" stepsister Pearl, a lot, and hated the Lunar Queen even more.  Cinder and Prince Kai are very likable characters, along with Peony, and the funny household android Iko with the human-like personality.

I highly recommend reading this book.  I'm mad that I didn't read this sooner!  Now, I'm on to reading the next book, Scarlet.

Add me as a friend on Goodreads!

Book Review: Anna Dressed in Blood

Since I've become more into reading, I decided to add occasional book reviews to this blog.  Here is my first attempt at a "review."

Anna Dressed in Blood

Goodreads.com

I gave this book 2/5 stars on Goodreads, but in reality I would actually give it a 1.75/5.  All I can say is that thankfully I bought this book used, and was able to trade it in at 2nd & Charles. This book has a pretty good rating (3.99), but I didn't care for it.  I never expected this book to scare me, as it is YA, but I would have liked it to at least give me the chills a little bit.  I wasn't phased...at all.  The only interesting things about this book is the cover and dark-red printed text inside.

Anna seemed to be the only developed character in the book.  There was a lot of information about Cas that was missing, mainly his past and why Anna spares his life, but kills others.  I felt a bit bored with this book and found myself not wanting to read it.  The only characters I remotely liked were Thomas and his grandfather.  Cas started out to be such a conceited guy, but he seemed to change later on.

This is a duology.  The second book, Girl of Nightmares, I have no intention of reading.  If it wasn't for my Goodreads challenge, I probably wouldn't have finished this.

*****SPOILERS BELOW*****

The romance that Cas and Anna have is the most ridiculous part in this book.  Cas is the only person she hadn't tried to kill that came into her house and it is never revealed why.   It was nice to see that the main character and supporting character, Carmel weren't romantically linked, which seems to be typical in most books.  Though I would of probably preferred that over that laughable ghostly romance.  How you can you make out with a ghost?  Seriously.  

When we first meet Anna, she is quite terrifying.  Later on when she isn't bound to her house anymore, she is nice.  Pretty lame.

I also didn't understand the connection between Cas' knife and the villain (not Anna, but someone else.)  Either it was not explained much at all or I totally missed it.  Maybe this is explained in Girl of Nightmares, but I don't intend to find out.

Would You Rather: Book Edition (Book Tag)

I decided to do this Book Tag I found on Youtube...

Would you rather...

1. Read only trilogies or stand alones ?  Probably Trilogies.  I love books that are in a series and I think I would get more tired of reading stand alones.

2. Read only female or male authors?  Considering most of my books are by female authors, I suppose I would choose female.  

3. Shop at Barnes & Noble or Amazon?  This is hard because I love going to bookstores, but Amazon is always cheaper in price.  If I had to choose, I would pick Amazon because I do buy a lot more online than I do at an actual bookstore.  I rather spend less money and get more books.

4. All books become movies or TV shows?  Movies definitely.  More books would be best suited as movies because you can only stretch out a TV show adapted from a book so far.

5. Read 5 pages per day or 5 books per week?  5 books a week even though that's completely impossible for me.  It would take forever for me to read through my TBR pile only reading 5 pages a day.  It already takes me long enough!

6. Be a professional reviewer or author?  Considering I don't review books, I'd choose author.  I've actually contemplated writing a book.

7. Only read your top 20 favorite books over and over or always read new ones that you haven't read before?  Always read new ones.  So far, I haven't wanted to reread anything I've read.

8. Be a librarian or book seller?  Librarian.  I love old, beat-up books.  Plus, there's just something nice about a library.

9. Only read your favorite genre, or every genre except your favorite?  Favorite genre.  If I chose to read everything but my favorite, then it would be hard to not read my favorite.  Technically, I don't even have a favorite at the moment.

10. Only read physical books or eBooks?  Physical.  I love having actual copies of books, holding them in my hands and seeing them on my bookshelf.  I've never read eBooks and have no interest in ever doing so.  

Bout of Books 11.0

I typically post about subscription boxes etc, but I decided I wanted to add other things to my blog.  I decided to participate in Bout of Books for the first time ever.  I've really been getting into reading, when I have time.

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 18th and runs through Sunday, August 24th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 11 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

As far as goals go, I have decided I want to read at least 3 books total during that week and at least 100 pages each day.  I have never read more than one book in a week so this will be a challenge for me.  It's hard to get a lot of reading done while taking care of my 2 1/2 year old daughter all the time!

Here are the books I plan on reading...

     

I picked a shorter book just in case, but if I finish all of these and still have time, I will add another one to the list.  This list may change anyway, but I will just have to see how it goes...

Are any of you participating, and if so, what are your goals?

Popsugar Must Have Box - June 2013

This is my first Popsugar Must Have Box, and I can already say that I'm sure this will be my favorite subscription box service that I will be getting!  It's more of a lifestyle box that comes with a different type of product in 6 different categories:  Must Have Fashion, Must Have Beauty, Must Have Fitness, Must Have Entertainment, Must Have Food, and a Special Extra.  It's only $35 a month.

June 2013 Popsugar Must Have Box

Must Have Fashion: Gorjana & Griffin Zuma Scarf, and a $25 off coupon to http://www.gorjana-griffin.com/

Retail: $62

I love Gorjana & Griffin already.  I have made several purchases from them for myself and others, many times.  I was actually looking into getting one of the scarves on their website before getting this in my box, so this was a nice surprise!  I love the navy and white stripes and that pop of neon!

Must Have Beauty:  Juice Beauty Stem Cell Repair Moisturizer and two samples of Juice Beauty CC Cream

Retail: $65 (moisturizer), $7.80 (CC creams)

I have never tried Juice Beauty and am looking forward to trying out these products.  There are two different shades in the CC Creams:  Natural Glow and Warm Glow.  Hope they work for my skin!

Must Have Fitness:  Hard Candy Fitness DVD-Addicted to Sweat 4

Retail: $19.99

Apparently this DVD includes Madonna's go-to workout routines.  Since she is in such good shape, I'm sure this will be a great workout.  I'm really into fitness and working out now, so I can't wait to try this!  If I like it, I may just have to purchase the other 3 DVD's in the series!

Must Have Entertainment:  Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns By Lauren Weisberger

Retail: $25.99

This is the sequel to The Devil Wears Prada, which I haven't read, but I've seen the movie.  So far, I haven't heard such great reviews about this book, but I will read it anyway to see for myself.  I'm not that picky as some are when it comes to writing, I just like to be entertained.  First, I will have to read The Devil Wears Prada before I begin reading this.

Must Have Food: Project 7 Quench The Thirsty, Wintergreen Mints

Retail: $1.79

Project 7 is a great company because they give back to several charities when their products are purchased.  One tray (12 tubes) of these mints provides a person in need with water for a year.  These are very handy to keep in your purse when you're on-the-go.  

Special Extra: Popcorn, Indiana, Fit Popcorn in Sea Salt

Retail: $5.33

This popcorn tastes pretty good for being healthy.  It has only 37 calories per cup, so you don't have to feel guilty for eating the whole bag in one sitting!

Total Retail Value: With the $25 off coupon, over $200!!!  It's nice to get over $200 worth of products for only $35/month.  Sign up here!!!  If you use the PROMO code REFER5, you get $5 off your first box!!

Overall, I'm very impressed with this subscription box service and I absolutely love everything in it, especially the scarf!  I can't wait for July's box!!