GoodReads Summary:
To five-year-old-Jack, Room is the world. . . . It's where he was born, it's where he and his Ma eat and sleep and play and learn. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits.
Room is home to Jack, but to Ma it's the prison where she has been held for seven years. Through her fierce love for her son, she has created a life for him in this eleven-by-eleven-foot space. But with Jack's curiosity building alongside her own desperation, she knows that Room cannot contain either much longer.

Room is a tale at once shocking, riveting, exhilarating--a story of unconquerable love in harrowing circumstances, and of the diamond-hard bond between a mother and her child.


So I just finished reading Emma Donoghue's Room, and to be honest I have no idea what to say exactly about it.
I've picked this book up off the self so many times but put it back because the summary didn't really sound that appealing to me. I didn't know what to think of it really, but I just saw this book EVERYWHERE.
I saw that one of my GoodReads friends ( also a real-life friend- yes I have those) had read it, and I thought it might be a nice change of pace from all the young adult books I've gotten myself into these days. Well. It was a change alright, but I don't think I'd quite call it a nice one.
This story is very dark. It is told through five-year-old Jack's point of view. This may seem like a neat writing spin on a novel however listening to a five year old ( or more likely a middle-aged woman writing as a five year old) for 321 pages isn't easy. In fact, it made this book even more dark and twisted for me. I totally think Donoghue achieved the shock, horror, and beauty that was the Room and it easy to see why this book is #1 on many lists. I absolutely hated the story, but the book was definitely something different and very well done in my opinion. I felt like Jack and his Ma acted very much like anyone would in their situation, even though I was wincing at a lot of parts.
I especially didn't like the whole 'tooth' parts, even though the tooth was metaphorically telling the story itself.
This book rubbed me the wrong way, which It was supposed to. I deserves and very well should get a 5/5. But for the subject matter I can only deal out a 3.
I'm glad I read this this book and Im happy im finished reading it.

I know this is a book blog, but if I could share one thing with the whole world it would be this movie.
http://www.earthlings.com/
It's free to watch online, and If I could beg you to watch it I would. It's worth your time.

So I just finished reading Enclave by Ann Aguirre. I have SO many books to read all sprawled over my coffee table and I was so excited to read this one! It's been on my TBR list for awhile now.

Goodreads Summary:
WELCOME TO THE APOCALYPSE
In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.

As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning.

Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn’t like following orders. At first she thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she’s never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace.

As Deuce’s perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy… but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she’s ever known

Well. To be completely honest.. I wasn't all that impressed with this book. The idea was fantastic, but there was just SO much going on in this one, and in 250 or so pages, I felt it was rushed. That style of writing sure keeps you going, but i felt it lacked quality. It was written well and flowed nicely but there just wasn't enough in my opinion. Nothing really gripped me to the story, and I felt like we only got a glimpse of what the characters were like. It just kind of fell short. But that's just my opinion! I was happy I finally got to read it for myself.
2/5 :)

OH MY GOOOOOD! I spent all day reading Catching Fire and AHHH, I cant wait to read Mockingjay I just cant!!!!

I was SO skeptical about this series. I was actually getting kind of tired of the same old YA books and this one just has me. I am ON the bandwagon. During the first one, I felt it was pretty gripping, felt like I got to know Katniss well, but in the back of my mind thought the whole games, fight to the death thing was done before. Well. Once I read Catching fire, particularly the last chapter which just threw the whole series for a loop, I coudlnt believe how much more there was to it. I'm so drawn into this trilogy. Ha vent felt my heart race quite like this before.

I feel so lucky to have a blog and follow/am followed by other who love these books as much as I do. I cannot wait to read Mockingjay. It may be a few weeks but I am so excited about it. wow.

I'm sorry this post is so explosively ramble-y but I literally JUST put the book down and haven't even had time to process it,i just had to get this out and this is really the only place I can do it where people understand :)

The only things I didn't quite like about this book is how we really don't know how this rebellion really got started and what has happened like, politically. I mean if you're going to have a world rebellion there needs to be more details, although I understand this book is through the view of Katniss who is a 17 year old girl who's clearly being toyed with and is naive enough not to notice. but that's fine with me because it makes for a great story :)

Also I wish there was a little bit more description of the actual arena in this one. There was a lot going on and I found it a little hard to picture. I kind of felt like these games were just kind of half-assed compared to the first ones even though by the end of the book you understand why :) So really its not a bad thing, I could have just been lead along a little more is all :)

5/5 for me. I always love book 2. You're always already in love with the story/characters, but there is still something to look forward to when it's done !

Fall on the northwest coast really is the most beautiful season. I am gratefully posting about how much I love it, because in my entire young adult life I have been too stressed out and exhausted and working my ass off too much to even notice it go by.

This is why I quit what I was doing and started over. No, my parents still aren't happy, and I frequently get asked " What the hell are you doing?", and " You know, everyone's talking about you at ( insert old place of work here)". Well I feel bad that they have to bother themselves with worry about me, because I am happier than I have been in years. It's a genuine real happy for LIVING my life.

I remember I love this time of year when I get to wrap myself up in warm, cozy, and incredibly cute clothes and walk outside into the crispy, clean air. One deep breath and I immediately can feel the warmth of the sun,as my cheeks start to rose-y up. Although the sun feels amazing,usually a nice latte fills in the cold spots the sun cannot. I love the crunchy colourful leaves and all of the fall smells. I'm always amazed at how dying leaves look so beautiful and at that time I wish I had no other skill but to be able to paint or photograph how I view this.

We live next to a forest, which is one of my favourite places to be especially when its glowing with all of the fall oranges and yellows. In many of the enchanted books I read, I picture forest scenes in this exact forest.

This particular chilly night I got together with some new friends I am very fond of and we giggled and snacked and went to a candle party. I love candle parties because there are always so many delicious smelling candles and the lights make me feel fuzzy. I bought two scents of votives, an apricot fig and white oak sandalwood which I feel are like autumn in a smell. I have always wanted to go to this particular kind of candle party. I have been invited to many, and ordered lots of candles before but have never been able to attend due to work. I haven't had a Christmas off in 5 years and have worked most new years' as well.

I am so thankful to be able to start enjoying the smallest things in life I have missed, like quality time with real friends, and walking around in the woods. I cant begin to explain what it's like to be deprived of the things you cherish the most, and the gratitude and joy I have felt now that its back and I can appreciate it.

(photos of Beaver Lodge Lands were found using Google image search)

So I Just finished reading 'She Rides' by Elle Laudan. My signed copy I won off of goodreads! I had never read this genre before but it was pretty good after all, nice to take a break from YA however I am excited about the books I have coming up next!

Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians celebrating today! Hope you get stuffed full of food and get to spend lots of time with your families!

Goodreads Summary:
Missy heads out on her vintage motorcycle for what proves to be a ride of a lifetime. Every new road brings with it new friends, new experiences and even a sexy romp with a tattoo artist.
It's summers' end when Missy rides into the small town of Waverly for Bike Week, and  sets sight on the most beautiful man she's ever seen on two wheels. Tommy marks the beginning of many hot, steamy nights. Is he Missy's, 'happy ever after', or is there a twist around the next bend in the road, nobody saw coming?


In compliance with FTC guidelines, I disclose that I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads!!!

This is the first book in this genre that I have read. And I must say I was impressed! When I found out that I had a won a copy of an 'erotic suspense' novel I giggled and rolled my eyes, not really knowing what to suspect. The cover of this book, I didn't like so much. It put me off reading it for a while but luckily I went for it anyway.

I immediately loved Missy's desire for adventure. That characteristic alone made this read enjoyable. I loved how in the first half of the book, Missy is a young naive reckless rider, and by the end shes grown into a strong women who learns from her mistakes and takes control of her life again. Its a total coming-of-age type of erotic suspense :)

This book was written well and I could clearly picture the bad-ass bikers and their hangouts in my mind, And loved how we got to learn what they were really like. This book was such a fun read with so many fast twists that kept me turning the page to find out what happened. Id read Laudan again any day.. and she's Canadian to boot!

Happy Reading/Thanksgiving!

I finally read a book that got me out of my reading slump!

Wither by Lauren Destefano!

GoodReads Summary:
Obviously, something went terribly wrong. Genetic mutations have festered, reducing human longevity to twenty-five, even less for most women. To prevent extinction, young girls are kidnapped, mated in polygamous marriages with men eager to procreate. Sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery, a recent victim of this breeding farm mentality, has vowed to break loose from its fetters; but finding allies and a safe way out is a challenge she can only hope she will survive. A dystopian fantasy series starter with wings.

Wow. For a YA novel ( I'm still a new YA reader) This book totally grasped my attention. I fell in love with the cover art and ordered it into the library as soon as I could. I got totally lost in it and just powered through the whole book. I absolutely loved the mansion setting. I felt like I could totally picture the wives floor and could feel the intensity of how the sister wives felt so trapped. I loved the moments they interacted with each other and absolutely loved how Gabriel ( although we didn't hear from him enough) and Rhine's relationship just happened. It didn't feel forced at all, it just seemed natural.

I simply cannot wait for book 2. I hope its still exciting and we see the characters of Rhine and Gabriel develop more now that they are outside the prison that was the mansion. I hope Vaughn's experiments become known to all and he dies a miserable death! I also hope Bowen and Cecily make it out of there alive!

Nothing like a little dystopian fantasy to relight my reading fire! I hear it's supposed to rain here for a while again which is great because I have so much reading to catch up on. Today is overcast and the air is refreshing so I am going to go for a nice walk while I can :)