The Girl on the Train: A Novel - Book Review
I wanted to hate this book. I certainly disliked the characters, but in their absolute dysfunction, I found I had to keep reading. I guess I became the "rubbernecker" fascinated, even rooting for a good outcome for the main character Rachel, who all at once I disliked, felt sorry for, and wanted good things to happen to. She is a victim of circumstance, of life, and her own poor decisions. I wanted her to find her own redemption, and in the end, I think she did.The story weaves itself in and out of three essential characters, where the reader gets glimpses into the days, and nights of what you think are random events. You're taken on a train ride, each chapter like a stop on the line. The author takes its reader for a ride, stoping in the present and in the past. It is this mixed up chronology that in the end, gets you to your destination in a way you wouldn't have expected.I don't usually lean toward this genre and often choose to read books like these because I want to study how they were written, for plot purposes, for character studies and so forth.The Girl on the Train: A Novel by Paula Hawkins is very much in the wheelhouse of a Gillian Flynn where the story is character driven and often the outcome is tragic and morose.
List of Books I Read in 2014
Judging by how few books I read in 2014, it was a busy year.It was something I felt a keen absence of. As it is, I have three books on my Goodreads list that I've not completed. (I've annotated those with an asterisk.)Compared to 2013 or 2012, or 2011, this list is short y'all! In previous years I averaged about 30 books per year, this is half that!
- The Diviners by Libba Bray*
- Painless Grammar by Rebecca S. Elliot
- The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
- And We Stay by Jenny Hubbard
- Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon
- Writing and Selling the YA Novel by K.L. Going
- Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink
- Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead
- Sinner (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #4) by Maggie Stiefvater
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
- Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
- Paper Towns by John Green
- Perfect Ruin by Lauren De Stefano*
- Half Bad by Sally Green
- Of Bees and Mist by Erick Setiawan*
- Prince Lestat by Anne Rice
Here are a few of my book related Instagrams from 2014.
I love seeing lists of books others have read, so if you've got one, share the link in the comments, or just jot down some of your favorite reads in 2014.I also happened upon this fun reading challenge. I'm so all over this!
Literary Tattoos For This Book Nerd
So this happened today...A couple of friends and I went and got tattoos together. It was a ton of fun! I got two new tattoos, I guess could be classified as "literary tattoos" (I obviously can't get enough of this particular theme when it comes to my body-art.) They satisfy the book-nerd in me!
On my forearm I had "awake my soul" tattooed in Jane Austen's script. Why a Mumford & Son's song quote, written in a long dead author's "script"?When I was ten years old I discovered Jane Austen, and the writer in me. It happened at what is still one of my favorite places in the world, a library. Our local library was a beautiful building, the facade was covered in coral rock, the interior, dark mahogany wood, and it smelled like heaven. I happened upon a junior version of Pride and Prejudice serendipitously in the children’s library. I loved it, and soon discovered it wasn’t the original. I bravely made my way into the grown up library, a magical place with its shelves that reached the stars and quickly found my way to Austen’s classic. I didn’t realize it was a classic, as I stood on tiptoes to see the top of the check out counter. The librarian raised an eyebrow at me, and asked if I’d like to read the “junior version instead, you know, the one with pictures?” I replied in turn, I’d “already read that version- three times”, and wished to read the original. She smiled at me and stamped the card at the back of the book. I remember feeling like I held a treasure in my hands as I walked away.
The discovery of Jane Austen's book, essentially awoke my soul to writing. I also can't help but adore the meaning behind the lovely song.
Just below my thumb I had two teeny-tiny quotation marks placed. It's to act as a bit of a reminder to me, to not forget about my "passions". I especially love this quote by Truman Capote, "To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it’s about, but the inner music the words make." It essentially describes exactly how I feel about the tattoos I got today.
Not Enough Hours
Word. This quote by John Burroughs sums up exactly how I feel about all of my passions.
Author Interview: R Barri Flowers, Summer of Paradise Ranch
Today's post is brought to you by YA Reads Blog Tours, and is an interview with R. Barri Flowers, author of the bestselling teen novels, COUNT DRACULA’S TEENAGE DAUGHTER, TEEN GHOST AT DEAD LAKE, and OUT FOR BLOOD, come the start of an exciting new young adult adventure series, Summer at Paradise Ranch (Paradise Ranch Series #1)
Can you tell us about your book, Summer at Paradise Ranch, in 15 words or less?It is a YA romance, coming of age, and adventure novel in Maui, HawaiiWhat was your favorite scene to write?My favorite scene to write was when Lexi Montoya, the protagonist, first learned to hula dance. Though not a natural, she caught on quickly as part of her adventure on the island.What was the hardest scene to edit out?At the beginning of the novel when Lexi had to say goodbye to her boyfriend, Matt, and other friends in Seattle before embarking on her journey to Hawaai.Do you have a favorite quote from the book?“Good morning,” she said, adding, “or in Hawaiian, aloha kakahiaka.”If Summer at Paradise Ranch were to be transformed into a movie, who would you cast to play the main characters?That’s a fun question! Let me see… there are so many great actors, I will have to list a couple of choices for each character for readers to pick from as their choice when reading the novel.Lexi, the protagonist: Brit Robertson, Hunter King, or Vanessa MaranoMitsuo, the cute Hawaiian she is gushing over: Jake Austin or Avan JogiaLexi’s mother: Rachelle Lefevre or Ashley JuddLexi stepdad, Ernesto: Jason Momoa or Lou Diamond PhillipsApril, Lexi’s red haired next door new friend: Molly Quinn or Katie LeclercKikue, Mitsuo’s girlfriend: Bianca Santos or Lindsey MorganMatt, Lexi’s boyfriend: Grey Damon or Liam HemsworthRory, Mitsuo’s best friend: Tahj Mowry or Devon BostickWhat made you want to write more of a YA/adventure/contemporary book as opposed to your previous YA paranormal series?As a part time resident of Hawaii, I was inspired by the diversity of the islands with its rich history. I felt that Maui, in particular, lent itself to a fun teen adventure novel, where my protagonist, Lexi, was out of her element and had to adapt while going through the typical teen drama and coming of age. This included learning to hula dance, ride a horse, and surf.Did you find that transition to be at all difficult?Actually, it was quite easy to go from a YA vampire series, such as Transylvanica High, to a non paranormal and more realistic teen tale. That said, I really enjoyed writing my YA paranormal novels, COUNT DRACULA’S TEENAGE DAUGHTER and OUT FOR BLOOD, and developing this world.Will there be a sequel to Summer at Paradise Ranch?Indeed, there will be a sequel, SECOND SUMMER AT PARADISE RANCH, as part of four book YA adventure series, followed by THIRD SUMMER AT PARADISE RANCH and FOURTH SUMMER AT PARADISE RANCH.Are you currently working on anything else?Yes, I am working on the third book in the Transylvanica High series, titled, KULA’S REVENGE; as well as an adult murder mystery, MURDER ON KAANAPALI BEACH.What is the best book you’ve read recently?INVISIBLE by Lorena McCourtneyWhat is currently in your TBR pile?There are several books I want to read when I have the time, including:MR. MERCEDES by Stephen KingGHOST SHIP by Clive CusslerTHE CURSED by Heather GrahamONE SUMMER, 1927 by Bill BrysonSHARON TATE: RECOLLECTION by Debra Tate***You can find Summer At Paradise Ranch at the following locations:Amazon
Book Review: "Havisham" by Ronald Frame
Havisham by Ronald Frame is the prequel to Charles Dickens' Great Expectations. Frame takes the jaded and unhinged Catherine Havisham out of her musty clothes and turns back the clock. We find Catherine as a young girl learning about herself, where she is full of life and hope, and longing before her future life stunting heartbreak.
I enjoyed learning about Catherine's before: her family relationships and friendships. How her beloved father strove to turn her from a wealthy businessman's daughter into a Lady. To do this, Frame had to take the elusive - even ethereal Havisham and make her a real multidimensional character. Just as Dorothy unmasking the wizard ruined the magic, Catherine Havisham looses some of her mystique as her ghostly wedding gown is replaced with fancy ball gowns. He begins this demystification of Catherine Havisham at a place a reader would easily recall from Dickens' tale; the point when Estella first encountered her adoptive mother. The opening scene was a fragmented and brief glimpse into that day which set the tone for the entire novel which was written in these fragmented glimpses. This fragmented style of writing was interesting, but at times a bit frustrating much like trying to stream a video that keeps buffering. Overall I enjoyed the novel because it allowed me a glimpse into Havisham's past and her own mental anguish. I thought Frame really could've delved deeper into the psychological aspect of Havisham's unraveling and found the lack of this aspect to her demystification disappointing.Would I recommend this?. Yes. Especially if you're a fan of the classic.Havisham by Ronald FramePublished by Random House LLC on 28 Jan 2014Genre: Young AdultStand Alone or Series: It’s a loner.Source: NetGalleyFormat: eARCBuy on Amazon• GoodreadsHaven't read the classic? You can download it on Amazon for your Kindle for free!
Half Agony. Half Hope.
This morning I heard my boys whispering intently in their playroom. I waited a while until I went to inquire as to the topic of such debate and found them playing amicably. I inquired as to what they'd been whispering about and was told, by my five year old Evan, "We were working out our differences." I smiled and said, "Oh. Okay." Then went about my business. There are some days when you feel like you're failing as a mother and other times when you feel like you're doing it right. This morning I felt like I was doing it right.
Love & Hopexo