Sunday, August 28, 2011

The Quotable Rogue

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Quotable Rogue: The Ideals of Sarah Palin in her own words
Edited and with a forward by Matt Lewis

The Quotable Rogue is a book of quotes organized in sections about what Sarah Palin believes. The topics range from civil rights to economics to health care to faith and Tina Fey. The purpose of the book is to get out what Sarah Palin thinks on everything, to tell everyone what she believes.

I want to give a unbiased review of this novel, because I know it is political, a subject I want to avoid on this blog. I think that's the fairest way for myself and my readers.  I was glad I read it because I wanted to wrap my head around what Sarah Palin believed and form my own opinions on her. I'm starting to be interested in women in politics. It didn't take a long time to read; I read it in one sitting. The book held my attention the whole time, but there were some confusing parts, where I didn't understand what she was trying to say.

I liked how the book was presented in sections, instead of just a jumble of quotes. It was presented in a cohesive and clear way. I thought that the cover and title were clever. I think I would recommend The Quotable Rogue for anyone interested in politics or anyone who just wants to know about Sarah Palin. I would warn however, that this book is not for everyone. I present a word of caution to yall. Ask yourself if you can read it without giving a biased opinion to everyone you know.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

We'll Always have Summer & the Liberation of Alice Love

I've been doing quite a lot of reading lately. Here's what I've been up to.

We'll Always Have Summer (Summer, #3)
I read We'll Always have Summer by Jenny Han, the last in the summer series. Belly and Jeremiah have been together for two years, inseparable, even going to the same college. But when Jeremiah makes a mistake, and when Belly and Jeremiah decide to do forever, Conrad turns up at the beach house and back into Belly's life. Which one does she love more?

 I actually found this novel a little confusing. Most of it is about Belly planning for the wedding and missing Jeremiah while he works. It was nice getting to see things from Conrad's perspective, but I did have to wonder, why not earlier? Everyone in the family seems to think that they're too young, but they don't listen, which I think they should have. Belly keeps talking about how Jeremiah never treated her the awful way Conrad did, but then she changes her mind when Conrad tells her he still loves her. It just somehow didn't make sense. I didn't like the portray of Jeremiah either; he seemed to be arrogant, joking too much, and immature--but still loving Belly. Conrad had grown up, but remained serious, aloof, disconnected. Eventually, Belly does get forever with one of the Fisher boys, forever. Like she always wanted.

The Liberation of Alice Love
Just last night I finished reading the Liberation of Alice Love by Abigail McDonald. Alice Love is a lawyer/contractor who lives a perfectly boring life. Until she finds out that the friend she just made, Ella, has stolen her bank account and her savings. Since Ella stole Alice's life, Alice begins to investigate Ella, going to all the places Ella made purchases, even following Ella to Rome and L.A. Alice uses different names, changing herself into Ella (since the real one stole Alice), Juliet, Angelique. But as Alice (the real one) follows the trail, she begins to tell lies, and hurts people she wishes she was real to.

And When Alice finds Ella, could it be possible to she realizes that Ella might have given her a less boring life? A life she should have been living. Ella constantly remains this aloof, exclusive, unknown character, and we never get all the answers. There's also Alice's sister, Flora, who misses her husband who travels a lot and wants a better relationship with Alice. And Cassie, Alice's other friends who has relationship issues. And Nathan, an investigator that helps Alice, helps and falls in love with? Alice ends up hurting a lot of people, but there is gain in the end. She is, like the title suggests, liberated.

Have to go, enjoy whatever books yall are reading!

Friday, August 12, 2011

Spring Broke and Double Take

First I read Spring Broke by Melody Carlson. It's the third in a series about four women who share a house on Bloomberg Street. Kendall, the owner of the house, broke and in lots of debt from being a shopaholic, not to mention caring for a puppy and with a baby on the way, she has to get it together. Her housemates help her plan a garage sale and to sell some designer things on eBay. Megan, the most practical and serious of the renters, is struggling with her job, and wishes she could start teaching, instead of designing homes for the wealthy. She questions her purpose and wants to do something more meaningful. Lelani, the beautiful Hawaiian wants to go home to Maui from spring break, but is afraid of her mother. She has a daughter that her parents are raising, Emma, and wants to do what's best for the both of them. And Anna is trying to deal with her Hispanic family and their attitudes toward her caring boyfriend and her friends, who are not Hispanic.

Lelani invites them, along with the boys, Marcus, Edmond, and Gil, to Maui with her. So the adventure begins. I really like to see how Kendall grew up a little in this novel and got involved with life and her unborn baby. I also really like Lelani in this book, as it is mostly about how she deals with what she wants for her future, and what do do about Emma. The characters really pull through for each other in this book. I would definitely recommend the Bloomberg series.

I read another novel by Melody Carlson, called Double Take. Madison Van Buren doesn't want to be herself anyone, tired of the pressures from her friends, family, and boyfriend, she heads west. Anna Fisher wishes to escape the simple life of the Amish and is concerned about her future in the Amish world. When they meet in a small town, they decide to switch lives for a week. Anna searches for directions to her love, Jacob. Madison learns not to judge and how to be patient, while helping Anna's Aunt Rachel and her five children. She begins to think about God and enjoys the simplicity and the nature of the land. Yes, they do both switch back, but they learn a lot. Anna understands what to do, and meets Malachi, who works for her uncle. Madison is reconnected to her old friend Lucy. Anna and Madison do a lot for each other, and for themselves. And God is there with them all the way, the Big Helper.

That's what I've been reading! Have a good week and happy reading ahead.