The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan

Synopsis:

Nina Redmond is a librarian with a gift for finding the perfect book for her readers. But can she write her own happy-ever-after? In this valentine to readers, librarians, and book-lovers the world over, the New York Times-bestselling author of Little Beach Street Bakery returns with a funny, moving new novel for fans of Meg Donohue, Sophie Kinsella, and Nina George’s The Little Paris Bookshop.

Nina Redmond is a literary matchmaker. Pairing a reader with that perfect book is her passion… and also her job. Or at least it was. Until yesterday, she was a librarian in the hectic city. But now the job she loved is no more.

Determined to make a new life for herself, Nina moves to a sleepy village many miles away. There she buys a van and transforms it into a bookmobile—a mobile bookshop that she drives from neighborhood to neighborhood, changing one life after another with the power of storytelling. 

From helping her grumpy landlord deliver a lamb, to sharing picnics with a charming train conductor who serenades her with poetry, Nina discovers there’s plenty of adventure, magic, and soul in a place that’s beginning to feel like home… a place where she just might be able to write her own happy ending.

(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:

Every once in a while I like to take a break from the usual genres I read, and read something different. I don't usually read chick-lit. In fact, I think it's been about ten years since I've read a book in that genre. Recently, I've been wanting to read books about books. Fiction or non-fiction, it doesn't matter. Therefore, I thought that The Bookshop on the Corner sounded like it was right up my alley. It ended up being a cute, fun read. 

Even though The Bookshop on the Corner wasn't my usual genre, I really did enjoy it. It seemed like the author was bookish, and the reader could tell from the way that she wrote the main character, Nina. I found that Nina was a very identifiable main character. The author portrayed her in a way that I could see parts of her in someone like myself, which I loved. It made me believe that I can follow my dreams as well. 

There were a few things that I didn't like about the book. At times, the book was so cliche that I found myself rolling my eyes. It was also very predictable. I predicted what was going on with Marek a few short pages after meeting him. There were also a few minor plot points that I predicted. Also, the person that Nina ended up with in the end felt forced. There was absolutely no chemistry there. It felt like it happened because the author felt like Nina needed to end up with someone to have a happy ending, so she just shoved them together.

Despite all of it's flaws, I did think that The Bookshop on the Corner was an enjoyable book. I would probably pick up another book by Jenny Colgan the next time I was in the mood for this genre. I recommend this book to anyone that is in the mood for a quick, sappy read, and doesn't mind some cliche moments.

I give The Bookshop on the Corner: 3/5.

Want to know more about the author?

Website: https://www.jennycolgan.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennycolganbooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JennyColgan

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Island of Tory by Regina M. Geither

Synopsis:
When sixteen year old Arella Cline's summer vacation begins with the tragic death of her parents, she is sent to live with her aunt to begin a new life on a remote island off the western coast of Ireland. But there are strange things happening on Tory Island- shadow figures, mysterious auras, and the haunting sound of her deceased parents' voices. The only thing Arella finds appealing about Tory is the handsome, dark-haired Declan McQuillan. But Cannon Fidelous, a mysterious outcast, warns her that the island and its inhabitants are hiding a dark secret. And when Arella finds an ancient book of prophecies, she discovers the island's curse-a curse that only she can undo.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
I am absolutely fascinated by Irish, and Scottish folklore, whether it's fiction or non-fiction. If someone tells me about a book of folklore from that area, I'll definitely want to read it. Therefore, I was so excited when the author of Island of Tory, Regina M. Geither, approved my request to read and review it. I found the book to be enjoyable, even though it wasn't one of my favorites I've read this year. 

I found the premise of Island of Tory to be fascinating. It was unlike anything I've ever read before. Even after finishing the book, I still felt the same way about the premise. The folklore was so in depth. Even if the story line was obviously fantasy, it was still awesome to see the monuments of Tory while reading the book, and to watch the setting come to life in my head. I was so excited when I found out that the Island of Tory actually is a real place. The book made me want to go there, and see all the locations in real life that are mentioned in the book. It was exciting to learn that one day I might actually be able to go to somewhere I read about in a fantasy book.

All that being said, I did have a couple of problems with Island of Tory. The pacing was slow. It felt almost like the plot was crawling along at a snail's pace at times. I got bored several times while reading. Every couple of chapters, it seemed like there was nothing going on, other than filler. It took me almost two weeks to read the book, which is ridiculous for a book that is less than two hundred pages. Also, the dialogue was hard to understand at times. The author writes the characters with Irish accents, which makes the reader feel like they are on the island with the characters. However, if the reader isn't used to the dialect, it makes the characters hard to understand sometimes. Several times, I had to stare at a sentence and try to figure out what the heck the character was saying, based on context. It left me feeling really confused, like I was being left out on something very important, and disengaged from the story line.

Other than those few things, I really did enjoy Island of Tory. The book is part of a trilogy, but it is in my opinion that it can be read as a stand alone. I'm going to continue with trilogy because I am excited to see where Regina M. Geither takes the world of Tory next. I recommend this book to anyone who loves folklore.

I give Island of Tory: 3.5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://reginamgeither.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Island-of-Tory-by-Regina-M-Geither-158924204171998/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/reginamgeither
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5874354.Regina_M_Geither

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

The Dragon King Chronicles trilogy by Ellen Oh

Synopsis for Prophecy:
The greatest warrior in all of the Seven Kingdoms... is a girl with yellow eyes.

Kira’s the only female in the king’s army, and the prince’s bodyguard. She’s a demon slayer and an outcast, hated by nearly everyone in her home city of Hansong. And, she’s their only hope...

Murdered kings and discovered traitors point to a demon invasion, sending Kira on the run with the young prince. He may be the savior predicted in the Dragon King Prophecy, but the missing treasure of myth may be the true key. With only the guidance of the cryptic prophecy, Kira must battle demon soldiers, evil shaman, and the Demon Lord himself to find what was once lost and raise a prince into a king.

Intrigue and mystery, ancient lore and action-packed fantasy come together in this heart-stopping first book in a trilogy.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

Synopsis for Warrior:
First an outcast, now a hero.

But her fight rages on.

Kira, the yellow-eyed demon slayer who fiercely protected her kingdom—and the crown prince—has been proclaimed the Dragon Musado of the prophecy. With the defeated the evil shaman.

But it wasn’t enough. 

Hansong is in chaos. The Demon Lord’s minions have infiltrated the city, treason is brewing among the military ranks, and Kira is buried by the overwhelming loss of her parents. She’s also plagued by the annoying feelings that blossom whenever she’s around Jaewon. But she is determined that nothing will stop her from finding the second treasure needed to fulfill the Dragon King’s prophecy. Not even the army of half-breed demons hot on their trail. If only she could learn to trust others…

Her father always said one person can change the world. Will it be Kira?
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

Synopsis for King:
Girl warrior, demon slayer, Tiger spirit of the Yellow Eyes—Kira is ready for her final quest. In this thrilling finale to the Prophecy trilogy, fans will get even more of the fierce Kira and her quest to save her kingdom!

All eyes are on her. Kira, once an outcast in her home village of Hansong, is now the only one with the power to save her kingdom. She must save her cousin, the boy fated to be the future king, uncover the third lost treasure, and face innumerable enemies in order to fulfill the famed prophecy.

Kira braves a sea of tigers and battles armies of demons as she musters her inner strength and learns to trust herself, the romantic feelings for Jaewon that are growing within her, and the destiny that must be hers.
(Synopsis from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:
I've been hearing great things about Ellen Oh's books for years now. I've been wanting to read one for a long time. However, I wanted to wait until the hype died down so I could form my own opinion, and not be influenced by those around me. Recently, I had decided that enough time had passed, so I decided to read her Dragon King Chronicles, which consists of Prophecy, Warrior, and King. While I'm not sure it was worth all of the hype surrounding it, I did find it enjoyable. 

I did enjoy The Dragon King Chronicles. I read the whole trilogy within a few days time. I found myself flying through the books. However, it just didn't hold the magic for me that it held for others. I never found myself thinking that it was the best trilogy to come out in recent years, or anything like that. 

The first book in the trilogy, Prophecy, was really good. It was fast paced, exciting, and had me wanting more at the end. The second book, Warrior, suffered from a classic case of second book syndrome. It was still exciting, but there were several times where I was bored, and thought the story line was dragging. By the third book, King, the story line was most definitely dragging out. It felt like most of the book was filler, just to get to the final battle. There were a few plot points that I did enjoy in King, such as how things were settled. For the most part, I just wanted to fast forward to the final battle. Then the final battle was kind of disappointing. While parts of it were awesome, I was expecting so much more. 

Even though I wasn't thrilled with The Dragon King Chronicles as a whole, I did have fun reading it. I'm looking forward to reading Ellen Oh's other books, to see how her writing has matured, because this was her first series. I recommend this trilogy to teens who are looking for a fantasy read with a diverse cast of characters. Just don't go into it believing all of the hype.

I give The Dragon King Chronicles trilogy: 3.5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.ellenoh.com/index2.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellen.c.oh
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElloEllenOh
Tumblr: http://elloellenoh.tumblr.com/
Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/elloecho/

I received this trilogy from the publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

My Life With Bob by Pamela Paul

Synopsis:
Imagine keeping a record of every book you’ve ever read. What would this reading trajectory say about you? With passion, humor, and insight, the editor of The New York Times Book Review shares the stories that have shaped her life.

Pamela Paul has kept a single book by her side for twenty-eight years – carried throughout high school and college, hauled from Paris to London to Thailand, from job to job, safely packed away and then carefully removed from apartment to house to its current perch on a shelf over her desk – reliable if frayed, anonymous-looking yet deeply personal. This book has a name: Bob.

Bob is Paul’s Book of Books, a journal that records every book she’s ever read, from Sweet Valley High to Anna Karenina, from Catch-22 to Swimming to Cambodia, a journey in reading that reflects her inner life – her fantasies and hopes, her mistakes and missteps, her dreams and her ideas, both half-baked and wholehearted. Her life, in turn, influences the books she chooses, whether for solace or escape, information or sheer entertainment.

But My Life with Bob isn’t really about those books. It’s about the deep and powerful relationship between book and reader. It’s about the way books provide each of us the perspective, courage, companionship, and imperfect self-knowledge to forge our own path. It’s about why we read what we read and how those choices make us who we are. It’s about how we make our own stories.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
I've been on a binge reading spree lately, where I only want to read book about books, and books about reading. I read the synopsis for My Life With Bob, and thought it sounded amazing. Fortunately, I was able to get my hands on a copy. The book went above and beyond my expectations. I loved it. I wish that there were more books like it. 

My Life With Bob was about being a book lover, but at the same time, it was about so much more than that. It was a fun ride through Pamela Paul's adventures as well, and what she learned along the way. It was a memoir of self discovery, learning how to love yourself, and learning how to cope with difficult problems. I loved every second of it. I also loved hearing about the books that the author read. So many books were added to my tbr pile. I loved seeing the author react to what she was reading, and her fond (or in some cases, not so fond) memories of the books that she read. 

I loved My Life With Bob. It had just the right mixture of being about reading, with some adventure thrown in. As soon as I finished it, I wanted to go back to page one, and start all over again, which is unusual for me. I rarely re-read books, but I can definitely see myself re-reading this one. I hope Pamela Paul writes another book about books, maybe once she gets a few more pages written in Bob. I hope to find more books like this in the same genre. I recommend this book to bibliophiles everywhere.

I give My Life With Bob: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.pamelapaul.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamelaPaulNYT/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PamelaPaulNYT
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/152327.Pamela_Paul

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

The Year of Reading Dangerously: How Fifty Great Books Saved My Life by Andy Miller

Synopsis:
A working father whose life no longer feels like his own discovers the transforming powers of great (and downright terrible) literature in this laugh-out-loud memoir.

Andy Miller had a job he quite liked, a family he loved, and no time at all for reading. Or so he kept telling himself. But, no matter how busy or tired he was, something kept niggling at him. Books. Books he'd always wanted to read. Books he'd said he'd read that he actually hadn't. Books that whispered the promise of escape from the daily grind. And so, with the turn of a page, Andy began a year of reading that was to transform his life completely.

This book is Andy's inspirational and very funny account of his expedition through literature: classic, cult, and everything in between. Beginning with a copy of Bulgakov's Master and Margarita that he happens to find one day in a bookstore, he embarks on a literary odyssey. From Middlemarch to Anna Karenina to A Confederacy of Dunces, this is a heartfelt, humorous, and honest examination of what it means to be a reader, and a witty and insightful journey of discovery and soul-searching that celebrates the abiding miracle of the book and the power of reading.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
I love reading books about books. It's all I've been wanting to read lately. I had heard a lot of great things about The Year of Reading Dangerously, so I decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, I didn't like it at all. After taking three days to get that far (which is almost unheard of for me), I ended up DNF'ing the book at seventeen percent. 

The Year of Reading Dangerously was one of those books about books where the reader has to have read the same books that the author has read to understand what he is talking about. Unfortunately, I hadn't read any of them. Therefore, to me the book was extremely slow paced. I was so bored most of the time. Finally, after reading for three days and getting nowhere, I decided to give up. I wasn't getting anything out of the book, so I didn't see the point in finishing it.

I also didn't like the tone that the author used. I'm not entirely sure how to describe it. He had an aggressive, rough tone that made me feel disconnected from what he was saying. It made it obvious that even though he was trying to be a bookworm, he was unlike me, which made him hard to identify with while I was reading. 

Unfortunately, The Year of Reading Dangerously wasn't for me. I found myself bored, and put off by the tone that the author used to write the book. Based on my experience, I don't recommend this book to anyone, unless you've read all the same books that the author talks about.

I give The Year of Reading Dangerously: 1/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://mill-i-am.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/i_am_mill_i_am

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Sophie's Secret by Tara West

Synopsis:
After shedding 30 pounds of baby fat, Sophie Sinora has grown into a pretty, but insecure, teen in bloom. To make her life more complicated, Sophie can sometimes read minds. 

Sophie's BFFs, AJ and Krysta, are also 'gifted' with paranormal abilities. Keeping their gifts secret proves difficult, as their powers are strengthening, making them feel more and more like freaks. 

When Sophie falls for Jacob, she hopes he'll ask her out to the Freshman Formal. But when she's forced to cheat and lie for him, she wonders how far she'll have to go to make him like her. Add to her growing list of problems - her teacher's suicidal thoughts, a locker bully who wants to kick her butt, the hot school flirt who won't stop teasing her, her pregnant sister who boots Sophie out of her room, and the growing tension between Sophie and her best friends. 

Sophie's got issues. Hopefully, she can fix them in time to save her teacher's life and her social life.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
I've had all of Tara West's books on my tbr for quite a long time. I've heard great things about them in different groups on Facebook. Therefore, I had high expectations for her book, Sophie's Secret. Unfortunately, I hated this book. It might be one of the most problematic books I've read, especially for the age group it's intended. 

I don't even know where to begin with how problematic Sophie's Secret was. The book had a lot of slut-shaming. It also had discrimination towards LGBTQ+ people, in the form of rudeness and purposeful improper use of a character's pronouns. The main character, Sophie, and her two best friends, Aj, and Krysta are terrible role models for middle grade and young adult readers. They were vain, disrespectful, and constantly made rude comments about those around them, and each other, and stabbed each other in the back for most of the book.

Possibly the most problematic thing in the book is the relationship between Sophie, and her crush, Jacob. He was very mentally and emotionally abusive towards her. He treated her like crap, and used her just to get what he wanted. He had wild mood swings, and was constantly lashing out at her. When he did this, she blamed herself, and thought that she did something wrong. This is a classic symptom of an abusive relationship. The book did absolutely nothing to teach that Jacob's actions were wrong, or a sign of abuse. 

Sophie's Secret was one of the most problematic books I've read in recent years. It was almost as bad as The Ruling Class by Francine Pascal, and if you've been following my Goodreads for a while, you know how I felt about that book. I definitely will not be finishing this series. I'm not even sure I want to read Tara West's other books now. There's a chance I might give the first book in her new adult series, Say When, a try just to see if it's problematic too. At this point if it's not already obvious, I don't recommend this book to anyone. In fact, I recommend you steer clear of it.

I give Sophie's Secret: 1/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.tarawest.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tarawestauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TaraWestauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1731936.Tara_West

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Lazarus by Lori Titus

Synopsis:

In 1869, a young widow named Luella Pembry arrives in the town of Lazarus, California.


She is aware of Lazarus' secret; it's a site of infrequent Risings of the dead. But lately, the phenomenon is happening more often.



When Luella approaches Sheriff Drake and Mayor Cole to offer her aid, both men are skeptical.
How can this stranger stop the Risings? It soon becomes clear that there are other secrets in this town. What is the force behind the reanimation of the dead? And where does the untimely death of a young woman fit into the equation?



Luella and Drake race to unravel the mystery to save the town, and their own lives.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
I love zombie novels. I also love historical fiction. Combine a zombie novel with a historical western setting, and I am all for it. That's exactly what the reader gets when reading Lazarus. I've been Facebook friends with Lori Titus for a while, and really wanted to read one of her books. I chose Lazarus. I'm so glad I did. It might be one of my favorite zombie novels that I've ever read.

Lazarus has a strong zombie element in the plot. However, it's not just a zombie book. There's also a paranormal experience, which was a pleasent surprise. I've rarely ever read the two paranormal types in the same book, and really enjoyed it. I thought it brought something new to the genre, and kept it interesting. Lori Titus pulls off the combination with her phenomenal writing style. It didn't feel like there was too much going on at all, like it usually does when I've seen other authors attempt it.

Typically, I hate instalove in a book. It's one of my biggest pet peeves. There is some instalove in Lazarus between two characters. At first, it annoyed me at the beginning. However, the further I got into the book, I realized Lori Titus wrote in a way that it works really well. Not only did it seem necessary to the plot, but it seemed natural. It wasn't the forced instalove that's in most books. She made me look at instalove in a completely new way.

Lazarus was one of the best horror books I've read this year. It made me see several aspects of the horror genre in a new light. I look forward to making my way through Lori Titus's back log of books that she's previously released. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a short, yet captivating, horror read.

I give Lazarus: 4/5.

Want to know more about the author?

Website: https://loribeth215.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lori.titus

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Loribeth215

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3335771.Lori_Titus

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.