5
Followers
4
Following
Cynical Reader
Give me a happily-ever-after fairy-tale and I'll fight you every step of the way, but give me a tragic, grief-ridden story and I'll let it consume me.
I was sure this would be a 5 star review, but about 3/4 of the way through it just didn't make me feel like my other 5 starers. Maybe I was looking for another Graceling Realm, I'm not sure. I can see how this is a favorite among people, but there were a few things that just didn't sit well with me:
- I didn't really like Evanjalin. She was a brat who always got her way, lied, and manipulated people.
- The Fairy Tale. Everyone seemed to ride off into the sunset, all cozy and warm, holding hands, and singing. While this is a plus for most people, I'm more partial to the way [a:Kristin Cashore|1373880|Kristin Cashore|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1273894652p2/1373880.jpg] & [a:Rae Carson|4074051|Rae Carson|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1284052029p2/4074051.jpg] did it.
- Confusion. Maybe this is me being ditz, but all the same. The writing confused me when it came to whose head we were in. I get that this is 3rd person, but I've never had to continuously go back and forth trying to figure out who we were on during this sentence or who was the one talking.
Things I liked:
- Finnikin, it was a pleasure to be in your head, sir.
- The writing. (I know I just said it was confusing, but this is different). Marchetta had a way with descriptions that made me see why she has so many adamant fans. It also made me want to read more of her work. I also liked the way she didn't shy away from touchy subjects (beatings, rape, sex, etc.), I believe it makes the story more realistic.
So for me, this was a 4 star book. I hear a lot of people like book #2 & 3 better so I'm hoping I will too. I really want to love love love this series.
If this is as wonderful as [b:The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing|9724655|The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing|Melissa Bank|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1349056166s/9724655.jpg|33947] I'll be a happy camper!
I'm between 4 & 5 stars, and putting this on my favorites shelf. I really really really liked it. But I'm not sure if I liked it 5 stars worth.The awesome thing about this book is, it is one you can come back to time and time again (which I plan to do). As a young girl, as a young adult, as an adult, as a mother. It was everything I needed it to be. I'm so glad I found this in the article "10 books every girl should read in her twenties" otherwise I probably wouldn't have picked it up, due to the cover and title it didn't sound or look appealing to me.
Classic case of "don't judge a book by it's cover' (and title, in this case).
Another fun read from The Steampunk Chronicles."Fun" is the same description I had for [b:The Girl in the Clockwork Collar|13060608|The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Steampunk Chronicles, #2)|Kady Cross|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1361759116s/13060608.jpg|16936400],and truthfully I'm not sure how else to describe my feelings for this series. There is action and some kick-ass girls who kick some ass. It's like candy. And I like it. And luckily, I think there are supposed to be more books in the future =)
The only qualm I had with The Girl with the Iron Touch in particular was it seemed to be more revolved around romance. But what can you expect from a third book? Surely their relationships had to be more evolved. So it's not really a complaint, just a personal issue. There was no eye-rolling because I do want the characters to be together, I just don't like reading the sappy personal moments. I don't even like hearing myself say such lovey dovey things. (Which is probably why I'm single, no?)
I'm a self-help junkie. I've been searching for the perfect self-help book, which I know I'll never find. So I take pieces from each book and kind of put them together, in hopes that one day I'll have all the answers. Which again, will never happen.
This book in particular, is just like the rest. Which isn't a bad thing. It's actually quite helpful, just nothing new and profound. Are there things in here that I'd like to apply to my life? Absolutely! Are there things that made me roll my eyes? Yes. But overall I'd say there was plenty to take away. I'll list a few things for you so you can get the jest.
Things that were helpful:
- 10. Learn to Live in the Present Moment
- 13.Become More Patient
- 16. Ask Yourself the Question,"Will This Matter a Year from Now?"
- 17. Surrender to the Fact that Life Isn't Fair
- 22. Repeat to Yourself, "Life Isn't an Emergency"
- 26. Set Aside Quiet Time,Every Day
- 30. Choose Your Battles Wisely
- 47. Argue for Your Limitations,and They're Yours
- 53. See the Glass as Already Broken (and Everything Else Too)
- 54. Understand the Statement, "Wherever You Go, There You Are"
- 55. Breathe Before You Speak
- 58. Relax
- 62. Do One Thing at a Time
- 65. Be Flexible with Changes in Your Plans
- 66. Think of What You Have Instead of What You Want
- 71. Quiet the Mind
- 72. Take Up Yoga
- 76. Get Comfortable Not Knowing
- 79. Stop Blaming Others
- 80. Become an Early Riser
- 92. Give Up on the Idea that "More Is Better"
- 94. Keep Asking Yourself, "What's Really Important?"
- 95. Trust Your Intuitive Heart
- 96. Be Open to "What Is"
- 97. Mind Your Own Business
- 100. Live This Day as if It Were Your Last. It Might Be!
Then there were things I found less helpful and directed more to people with money. Like "Adopt a Child Through the Mail". While I think that's a great idea, It's not for people who have trouble making ends meet.
Refreshing.It was definitely a light, summer read (for me anyway) even though there was a lot of snow. And skiing. I didn't really expect anything, so the story just was. It was what it was. And I enjoyed it.
This book is a product of Ambien. I had popped 3 last night hoping to get to sleep quickly and painlessly since my allergies wouldn't allow me to breathe. Then, of course as Ambien does, ideas were put into my head to check my email and yadda-yadda-yadda. When I discovered a coupon from B&N, all bets were off. I don't know how I came about picking this one, but as I look at it today I'm not disappointed. We shall see.
I tried to read this years ago, and just couldn't get into it. I initially started it because (don't judge me) I loved the TV series. But the book seemed way different and Elana was very conceited, therefore I just couldn't continue. (Although I still indulge in the TV series :)
Simplify Your Life: 100 Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy the Things That Really Matter
While a large portion of [b:Simplify Your Life: 100 Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy the Things That Really Matter|830893|Simplify Your Life 100 Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy the Things That Really Matter|Elaine St. James|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347219177s/830893.jpg|904174] seems to apply to people who have money to spare, there are a few ideas that the average Joe could use.One way I was able to simplify my life while reading this is by doing what I loath and skipping parts that didn't really apply to me. Like getting rid of your gardener, your cook, your personal shopper. There are a lot of ways people like me already live the simple life. Then there were a few tips that I could use, like:
-reducing clutter
-rethinking my buying habits
-learning to laugh
-yoga & meditation
-just being myself
-trusting my intuition
-if it's not working, stop doing it
-keeping a journal
-doing one thing at a time
-just say no
-learn to reinterpret the past
-change your expectations
Wow, people are really opinionated about this book, yeah?I never read this in high school, so I decided it was about time. While I probably would have liked it in HS, I did relate to Holden quite a bit. I too, am a cynical, jaded little person. I also hate everyone. Cheers!
(I'll probably be reading this again, to take a deeper look.)
I'm about to make a very bold statement: I think this is the best book I've ever read. EVER.Have you ever seen The Neverending Story? I was the kid, this was the book. I kept hearing "it's 2 stories in 1!" But for me, there was more like 10 stories. I was submerged, enthralled, surrounded by [b:The Blind Assassin|78433|The Blind Assassin|Margaret Atwood|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327876197s/78433.jpg|3246409].
I can't imagine reading another book, ever, for the rest of my life.
I'm not liking the cover, why didn't they keep the format of the first book first edition? =( I suppose I'll live. Hopefully until April 14th at least!-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Damn you and your 2014!
It's hard to rate something that's so unique. But in short, I really liked it and I will definitely be reading more of Gillian Flynn.
