S.T.A.G.S. is the New Secret Society YA Novel

The old adage warns us not to judge a book by its cover which is exactly the opposite of what I did with S.T.A.G.S. by M.A. Bennett. The cover grabbed me immediately, with it's chilling juxtaposition of high class decor and the gun scope marking. I was instantly intrigued.

The novel takes place in a fancy English boarding school where the cool kids, a.k.a. The Medievals,  shun technology and opt instead for a weekend of "Huntin' Shootin' Fishin'".  Without giving too much away, this book exceeded my expectations and brought new life into the thriller/suspense YA genre. Despite one gruesome scene, the book was a fast paced read that would find a place onto anyone who enjoys secret society type novels.

Long Black Veil Failed to Grab Me

I usually stick with a book even if it doesn't grab me. This year, however, I made a reading resolution to put the book down if it didn't hook me by the halfway point. Unfortunately the first book to not make the cut for me was the acclaimed novel, Long Black Veil by Jennifer Finney Boylan.

It sounded like a book I would enjoy. However it never really turned it to what I thought it would be. I was hoping for a thriller but it just ended up being an overly pretentious yawn-fest. Skip it.

Southern Gothic Thriller Hits All the Right Marks

When I started reading the novel The Breathless by Tara Goedjen, I did not know it was geared to young adults. As a matter of fact, I didn't realize it was a YA novel at all until after I finished and I went online to read other people's opinions of the book. In no way am I suggesting that YA books are any less entertaining than other thrillers, but this one really blew me away. As a reader it pulled me right in and kept me at arm's length for the four days it took me to finish.

The book does center around teenagers which is probably why it lends itself well to the YA category but the story is so much more than your typical teenager thriller. Set in and around an old antebellum mansion, the story takes on a strong southern gothic feel immediately. So much so that you often find yourself as a reader forgetting that this book partially takes place in a time of iPhones, social media and selfies. It's haunting, romantic and full of secrets.

The novel works to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of Ro Cole while bringing up spells to raise the dead, shady family history and a few genuine scares tossed in for good measure.

This was an enjoyable book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a good page turning thriller.

Beautiful Animals

The premise of Beautiful Animals by Lawrence Osborne sounds like the fixings for a perfect beach read. Imagine it's summertime in Greece, two American girls, Naomi and Sam, recently befriend one another and go on a yacht outing one day when they happen to come across a Syrian refugee named Faroud who has washed ashore. In their attempt to help him, the two young women become victims of their own privilege.

It was a slow moving story for me and didn't fully draw me in, mostly because I found none of the characters truly likeable. Two stars for the dreamy descriptions of the Greek Island though.

Blogger Note:  I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. This review is entirely based on my opinion.

I Am A Boss Bitch And You Can Be One Too...Here's How

It seems like there is a need in today's work landscape to provide women with the tools to not only set goals for success but also to blow those goals out of the water. But how? We all know about leaning in and claiming our spot at the table but some of us need a few more specific tips and tools to become the Boss Bitch we know we can be. Enter Nicole Lapin's new book Boss Bitch: A Simple 12-Step Plan to Take Charge of Your Career. This book is great for three kinds of working women: those who are learning the basics of being the boss of their own lives and career, those who are in a leadership role at their company, and/or those who have aspirations of being the boss of their own company.

I found the first two sections especially relevant for my career goals, but I think there really is something for every woman here. Lapin presents the info in a fun chatty voice and offers up one of the best business glossaries in the back of this book. She demystifies many of the business words that make us pretend we know what is being talked about and simplifies them. Probably worth the cover price of the book in and of itself.

This book would make a great graduation gift, as well as an excellent addition to any Boss Bitches' book shelf.

Blogger Note:  I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. This review is entirely based on my opinion.

Lola Flips the Script on Gang Life

I wouldn't normally reach for a novel about L.A. Gangs. It's just not really my forte. But Lola by Melissa Scrivner Love, while mainly being a novel about L.A. Gang life, is not anywhere near your typical gang banger novel. Allow me to explain.

When you think of a a novel about gangs, you, like me, probably think of wife beater wearing guys who sling drugs and carry a weapon 24/7. The key assumption here is that MEN are the ones we automatically associate with gang life. It's just always been that simple. Enter Lola. The novel is  about L.A. Gang life with one big difference: it's about a WOMAN who is the head of the fictitious Crenshaw Six gang. The novel centers around Lola's life as gang leader they never saw coming. A new take on the feminist motto "We Can Do It" indeed.

Blogger Note:  I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. This review is entirely based on my opinion.

The Moth Presents: All These Wonders

It's been a long time since I read a book that made me feel something long after I had finished reading it. Enter, The Moth Presents All These Wonders, a small book comprised of 45 personal "true stories about facing the unknown" by people of every walk of life. These stories were all read aloud to audiences as part of The Moth storytelling series over a 20-year span.

Every story was different. Some were easy to find yourself relating to (Modern Family, Go The ^&$% To Sleep) while others took the air out of your lungs with an audible swoosh sound (The Shower). There were stories about David Bowie (The Girl From Beckeham) and stories penned by Louis C.K and Tig Notaro. Stories about things both all-encompassing and minute. These stories, though on a personal level were about facing the unknown in one very particular circumstance for its author, also stood out as stories with a universal undercurrent that had the amazing power to pull us under for a little while and when it finally managed to release us, it left us stunned in wonder.

Blogger Note:  I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. This review is entirely based on my opinion.

Audiobook: A Boy Called Christmas

So this book, aptly titled A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig, caught my attention because I was looking for a new book this holiday season to share with my son. In all honestly, I didn't realize this was an audio book until after it arrived (my fault, for not reading the description). That being said, I was a little nervous that the audio book would not keep my seven year old's attention. Luckily, this book grabbed our imagination from the start so my son "tuning out" was a non-issue.

I was pleased to discover a new Christmas book that wasn't cheesy or a subtle rehashing of the usual Christmas stories. In a nutshell, A Boy Called Christmas tells the tale of a boy named Nicholas (duh!) who faces many hardships during his childhood. Magic elements ensue (reindeer! trolls! pixies!) and Nicholas becomes a hero.

Will your child enjoy this book? YES! But even better parents, YOU will too. Add this one to your reading shelf for next Christmas.

Blogger Note:  I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. This review is entirely based on my opinion.

The Fatal Gift of Beauty Delves Deep into the Amanda Knox Trials for an Entertaining Read

I'll admit, I still don't know how I feel about Amanda Knox. I watched the Netflix documentary and then jumped into the book, The Fatal Gift of Beauty by Nina Burleigh and I am still not convinced of either her guilt or innocence.

Whether or not you know anything about the murder of Meredith Kercher and the ensuing legal circus surrounding Amanda Knox, you have to admit it makes for quite an interesting tale. Two college students studying abroad in Perguia, Italy. One is murdered. The other stands accused. It has all the makings of a Lifetime movie.

Somehow Nina Burleigh takes the twisted tale and examines it from all sides. She paints a full and complete picture of the girls' lives prior to the death of Kercher as well as the trials and media sensationalism that circles Knox. I devoured this book, I had to keep reminding myself while reading it that it is real.

Definitely a must read for anyone who has followed the story to any degree or anyone who enjoys reading true crime books.

Blogger Note:  I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. This review is entirely based on my opinion.

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch is a Must Read for 2016

There's been a lot of talk about Blake Crouch's new novel, Dark Matter, and all of it is accurate. This book is the first book I've read in a very long time that grabbed me from page one and had me up very late every night in an simultaneous attempt to somehow both resolve the story and keep it from ending.

A good mix of Sci-Fi and Thriller, Dark Matter carries the reader through the lives (yes, LIVES) of Jason Dessen, a physist who longs to answer everyone's favorite hypothetical question ("what IF I had made different choices in my life? Where would I be now?") thru science.

Without spoiling the story, this book will definitely appeal to a mass audience. Don't be intimidating by the Sci-Fi laebeling. While things get a little heavy on the science occasionally, the story is one worth following until the end.

Definitely worth making it one of your must-reads for 2016.

Blogger Note:  I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. This review is entirely based on my opinion.

I Am No One By Patrick Flannery

I Am No One by Patrick Flannery is at it's most basic level a novel that brings to life the fears of most of us in the 21st century: having our lives on digital surveillance. Paranoia, self-identity issues and suspense abound.

While the premise of the novel revolves around Jeremy, an Oxford academic, who relocated to New York City, it is also a story that haunts at a deeper level. Remember when "big brother" was always watching? There is no denying that the digital age has upped the ante on what big brother can watch. A reasonable fear indeed.

I did find the flashbacks a bit tedious and the book a little too heavy to read leisurely (not a beach read, in my opinion), I cannot deny that Patrick Flannery has some amazing writing chops. In all honesty, even when my attention drifted from the story his writing kept me coming back to finish it.


Blogger Note:  I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. This review is entirely based on my opinion.

Eating Well Made Easy: Good and Simple Hemsley Sisters Show Us How

Eating well is hard (and expensive!). Anyone looking to start on a healthier eating journey should look no further than Good and Simple: Recipes to Eat Well and Thrive by Jasmine and Melissa Hemsley.

Photos of the food are appetizing and mouth watering and lots of great tips about how to eat well and a wide assortment of recipes to meet every need and satisfy every taste bud. Do not pass up the Cajun roasted cauliflower (my favorite in the book).

Blogger Note:  I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. This review is entirely based on my opinion.

Arianna Huffington Wants Us All to Sleep Better Because Science Says So

The Sleep Revolution was the first of Arianna Huffington's books that I read, probably because it was the first one that sought to address an issue that was relevant to me. I don't know any adult with a career and children and a spouse and etc...that can honestly admit to getting enough sleep on any given night. I was interested in how this book played out so I read with enthusiasm.

The book started out well enough, even if it was rehashing the same tried and true basic notions that getting sufficient sleep was a vital part of being healthy. I found the examples and studies interesting and felt that the book was well-researched. (Which was it's downfall, truthfully, as well.) While I appreciated all the studies and scientific facts presented, it slowed the pace of the book down for me and I found myself tuning out.

I was hoping for some tips that would help me achieve a better night's sleep and while this book offered a lot of them, none were really new or anything I hadn't already tried.

All in all, this book is an interesting read if you want a basic overview of sleep but for me it just didn't provide any really useful practical information.

Blogger Note:  I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. This review is entirely based on my opinion.

Finally, a FUNNY Book About Depression courtesy of Jacqueline Novak

Depression is not funny. It's not supposed to be. But maybe by taking a little of the pressure off us depressos (my favorite term coined/stolen from Jacqueline Novak and her book How to Weep in Public) wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. That's where this book comes in. How to Weep in Public reads like half a memoir and half a shared conversation with a friend about being depressed but in the lightest way possible. No self-help material here (thankfully!).

Be prepared to laugh at your depression in all it's many forms. Mostly, just feel okay about it and like someone else is in on it with you. I also have to commend the author because despite the fact that this book is meant to be light-hearted and funny, there is a note in the introduction that includes the number for the National Suicide Prevention hotline. For the times when depression isn't that funny after all.

Blogger Note:  I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. This review is entirely based on my opinion.

Chrissy Teigen's Cravings Hit All the Right Spots

Who doesn't love Chrissy Teigen? She is absolutely adorable and funny and down-to-Earth, or at least that's how she comes across to her followers on Twitter & Instagram. Continuing her trend of inviting us into her life, Teigen has given us the cookbook that we've all been waiting for, perfectly titled Cravings.

Teigen completely embraces her authenticity in this book. From candid shots of herself beside hubby John Legend, to her famous food photographs, this book is the perfect hybrid cookbook slash coffee table book.

You get a sense of how important food is to Teigen through this book and it translates over into the recipes she's included. She is most known on Instagram for her food that is both man-friendly (read: meat and potatoes) and perfect for indulging in and her book hits all those marks perfectly, but also goes beyond that.

While there are plenty of recipes that you'd expect her book to contain (Frito Pie, Stove Top Stuffing crusted pork chops, Wings (!!)) there are also plenty of healthier fare to balance it all out.

If you like Chrissy Teigen in anyway, this book will not disappoint.

Blogger Note:  I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. This review is entirely based on my opinion.

What I Read in 2015

So I started this year ambitiously enough with the intent of completing the PopSugar Reading Challenge. Turns out, I don't read things in order to fulfill a list of themes but I do better free-flow reading (I just kind of coined that term) and basically just reading what feels right. With that being said, here is my 2015 reading list.  Courtesy of the handy year end recap over at Goodreads.

I feel 10 books short of my goal of 50 books but I think I ended up going to quality over quantity this year, as evidenced by the fact that I gave up a lot of books that I just couldn't get into.

Happy Reading into 2016!

Wreck and Order by Hannah Tennant-Moore: A Book About Putting Yourself Back Together After Falling Apart

Wreck and Order by Hannah Tennant-Moore is a book that reads like a memoir in all the best possible ways. Right off the bat, I enjoyed this book and connected with it (mostly). I felt like the narrator, Elsie, was able to represent an accurate depiction of an almost-thirty year old woman from a (dare I say) feminist perspective. Elsie longs to do something with her life that matters by way of incompatible and toxic relationships, traveling to Paris and Sri Lanka and a long-term project of a French translated manuscript about cats. 

Wreck and Order by Hannah Tennant-Moore, Penguin Random House

This was the Eat, Pray, Love for the modern twenty-something. Honest, unapologetic and full of promise. It's rare to read a book that unintentionally speaks for young women's yearnings to belong in the world and have something of their own. In lieu of bad relationships and a product of the 50% divorce rate, Elsie wants to have her own legacy and own meaningful life project, which to her comes in the form of an ambitious and sometimes a lost-cause translation endeavor. I dare you to show me a young woman who doesn't long to find herself apart from who she is as a daughter or in the confines of a relationship. These relationships, while wrecking her, also give her the desire to fully live a life of new experiences.

Her travels, while being the most unrealistic part of the novel (really how many almost thirty-year olds do you know whose fathers foot the bill for not only Paris living, but also a sojourn to Sri Lanka?) also echo the general notion of loosing oneself in order to discover a better understanding of oneself.

An enjoyable novel that left me with a slight case of wanderlust and hungry for the next serving by Tennant-Moore.

Blogger note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. This review is entirely based on my opinion and contains my honest evaluation.

I'm Dreaming of a Book-Filled Christmas

There is something magical about the Christmas season in and of itself, but to awake to the promise of brand new books, not yet opened, laying in wait under the tree was the ultimate joy.

Now that I'm older I still love to receive books for the holidays but my tastes have become slightly more refined. Books now serve as not only a pleasurable pastime but also as a means of self-definition. Walk into my apartment and you are instantly greeted by bookshelves. Eye the bookshelves and you can get a pretty good idea of who I am, what I enjoy and my overall character (no pun intended). But books are also a shared experience for me now, as well. I'm a mother and I've worked very hard to instill a love of reading in my son.

I was recently contacted by Ryan from invaluable.com and offered an interesting opportunity: to write about what my ultimate literary collection would look like. Invaluable is an online auction marketplace that has a range of things up for auction including collectibles and first edition books. Imagine, if money was no object, if that long-lost edition I so desperately sought was within reach, what books with line the stacks of my dream bookshelf? I was intrigued. So I dug deep. And this is what I came up with:

1. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

I'm a huge Alice in Wonderland fan (have the tattoos to prove it!) and to have an assortment of editions of this classic would be the perfect way to start my ultimate book collection. The bindings themselves are so unique and would add a splash of color and whimsy to the visual end of my bookshelf as well.

Alice collection. Invaluable.com

2.  James Joyce, Collected Poems.

One of my favorite things to read in Winter is Dubliners by James Joyce. It beautifully translates all the feelings of melancholy that one would normally associate with that time of year. But my appreciation of Joyce goes beyond that one short story. A collection of Joyce's poetry would be an essential on my bookshelf.

Collected Poems of James Joyce. invaluable.com

3.  Green Hills of Africa by Ernest Hemingway.

My list wouldn't be complete if I didn't include some Hemingway. After all, Papa was a master of literature and he deserves a space on my dream shelf. Of course A Moveable Feast would be my top pick but Green Hills of Africa is quintessential Hemingway on safari trope.

Green Hills of Africa, Hemingway. invaluable.com

4.  Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. 

I chose this selection because I wanted something that was collectible while still being accessible for my son. Something that I am GREATLY looking forward to in the upcoming year is sharing the magic of Harry Potter with my son and this first edition collection would be the perfect modern touch to my dream bookshelf.

Harry Potter set, J.K. Rowling. invaluable.com

5. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

I have a feeling this book gained a resurgence in popularity after the 2013 movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio. This has always been one of my favorites. I think it's the mix of growing up on Long Island and the overall aesthetic of excess and sorrow captured beautifully in this book that has me re-reading it at least once a year. But how great would it be to have a first edition of this gem on my bookshelf? The Cugat eyes over the deep blue backdrop? A must for this girl's dream home library!

The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald. openculture.com

So there you have it, my dream book shelf. Santa, if you are reading this you can feel free to bring me any of the above (I'm definitely on the Nice List this year!). Now it's your turn. What books are must-haves for your library? Share in the comments!

The Color of Your Parachute REALLY Does Matter! Or Why What Color is Your Parachute 2016 Edition is for Everyone

As I write this review for the 2016 edition of What Color is Your Parachute by Richard N. Bolles, two things are immediate. First, I am embarrassed to admit I have never read/owned a copy of this book and Second, where might I be now career-wise if I had bothered to read this book X amount of years ago? Yes, it's that good.

What Color is Your Parachute?, 2016.

I wish colleges handed these annually updated guides out as required reading. There are so many helpful tips and insight to be gained from spending a few days reading this book and implementing the tools contained within. From the basics of where to look for a job, to how to successfully interview, to even delving deep and taking a personal inventory about yourself and what kind of career you are drawn to. This isn't your typical job hunting book that tells you how to craft a resume. This is the book that dispels the myth of the resume and why it's a mere stepping stone (and a low-rung one at that) to landing the job you want and need. This book not only is practical but reader-friendly and full of things even the most experienced job seeker may not be savvy to.

This book is honestly for everyone. College students will reap the benefits of using this guide to land their post-college job. Those currently seeking employment will get insight into the understanding of how companies hire and their hiring process. Even career changers will be about to find a helpful walk thru of navigating new career terrain.

Blogger note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. This review is entirely based on my opinion and contains my honest evaluation.

The Rising is A Story of A Family Before and After A Tragedy Changes Everything

I remember watching an HBO documentary on the Cheshire murders. It haunted me, the story of a home invasion that took the lives of a mother and her two daughters. I always wondered how the father/husband in the Petit family continued to go on living with his life so violated and forever changed.

The Rising by Ryan D'Agostino

That's where The Rising by Ryan D'Agostino comes in, to fill in the blanks. While the book delves into the unimaginable torture and murder of Jennifer, Michaela and Hayley Petit, but also the background of the family. We get to know them as people and not just victims. We also get to hear Bill Petit's story of rising above what has happened to him. It is amazing how he can come out of the other side of this and still believe that people are inherently good.

The subject matter was very well-researched, despite the book being a little hard to read pace-wise. If you know anything about this tragedy, this book will give you a broader picture of the family and for that reason, it is worth a read.

Blogger note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. This review is entirely based on my opinion and contains my honest evaluation.