Book Reviews!

Hi everyone!

Hope you all are having a great day so far. Today I stopped by Borders! I’m really very upset that one of my favorite retail bookstores is closing :( I love Borders because it has a great selection of books as well as cards, journals & other fun stuff. I still have Barnes & Noble around but I’m just sad that another bookstore is closing. Is it just me, or do you feel like the world is being ‘overwhelmed’ by technology?? I love technology. Without it I wouldn’t be typing this right now. It just seems that less & less people are taking the time to read books. The other day I was reading a comic & it was of these kids approaching a bookstore that said ‘books on paper available’ & the kids said: “Look! An antique store!” .. I thought that comic was sort of funny but I also find it kind of sad that most people nowadays aren’t appreciating the talent & time it takes to write a good book. I have a Nook, by BN, but .. it just doesn’t have the same feeling as a regular paper or hardback.. the ink is generated & it has a back light, which I find sort of weird. There’s not a more fulfilling feeling then curling up with a good, old-fashion hardback. It’s like drinking a cup of tea. That’s why I would prefer a book over an eReader any day.

I bought 3 books because I had to get rid of my gift cards or else the money would go to waste :( Speaking of books- this post is going to be all about them to encourage people who don’t usually read to pick up a book! The ones I recommend are all extremely amazing. There are only a few on this list because nowadays it’s hard to find an ‘exceptional’ book. Most of these aren’t those sappy teenage romance books where the girl loses everything & her boyfriend or any of that cliche nonsense. So if you like those, you might want to try looking somewhere else haha :) Here goes :)

The House of The Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

Genre is SciFi. Here is a summary of the book copied fr. bn.com, credit goes to them because I read it a long time ago. 

MATTEO ALACRáN WAS NOT BORN; HE WAS HARVESTED.

His DNA came from El Patrón, lord of a country called Opium — a strip of poppy fields lying between the United States and what was once called Mexico. Matt’s first cell split and divided inside a petri dish. Then he was placed in the womb of a cow, where he continued the miraculous journey from embryo to fetus to baby. He is a boy now, but most consider him a monster — except for El Patrón. El Patrón loves Matt as he loves himself, because Matt is himself.

As Matt struggles to understand his existence, he is threatened by a sinister cast of characters, including El Patrón’s power-hungry family, and he is surrounded by a dangerous army of bodyguards. Escape is the only chance Matt has to survive. But escape from the Alacrán Estate is no guarantee of freedom, because Matt is marked by his difference in ways he doesn’t even suspect.

Ok. This book is seriously really good if you like SciFi :) It thrilling & I thought it was a very worthwhile book. (sorry for the horrible review on this one, I barely remember it; I read it so long ago.)

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan 

Set in 1924, Esperanza lives in Mexico & she has it all- a wonderful family, a grand house & everything she wants- until her father is killed by bandits. Her life, her wealth & her family are shattered. Esperanza & her family leave their home in Mexico & leave for California, where they work hard on a farm.

This book was really inspirational- & I’m not sure if I would read this if the book was set in present time- but the fact that it was placed in 1924 adds to the loveliness of this book. It’s nice to see exactly what’s going on in that time era. Everything is really hard for Esperanza & her family. I also would like to recommend Becoming Naomi Leon, also by Pam Munoz Ryan. Ms. Ryan is an amazing author, she really captivates the reader & makes the book & the events seem real. I recommend any book written by her. 

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart.

 I have never read a series so clever. This book is about 11 year old Reynie, & he is a very clever thinker. He goes to a center where he & other children his age take tests with strange questions, relating to logic, skill & bravery. Out of the many people taking the test, Reynie & only a couple other children were selected on a journey to stop the progressing evil threatening to overwhelm their world. This book is the first out of the trilogy & I LOVED IT. It was so clever & I love how the clues & such were carefully placed. Amazing. I really recommend this book. It’s funny, charming, clever & exciting. Read the whole series! You definitely won’t regret it.

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

This book contained the most beautiful, touching, amazing story I have ever read in my entire life. No joke. This book isn’t fiction, it was written by a wise, young man who is was living with cancer, & he only had  a few months to live. He’s a college professor, & in this book he shares his wisdom of how to live your life & stories of his own. This book made me laugh & made me cry- it’s really great :) I recommend it to everyone of all ages :)

The Five People you Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

This book is one you’ll want to keep reading over & over again! Eddie is a maintenance man at an amusement park named Ruby Pier. Over the years Ruby Pier lost a bit of its luster, but Eddie continued to grease the rides & prepare them for riding to keep the children safe. Eddie is the unseen hero – he has probably saved hundreds of lives by doing his job. One day, a little girl has an accident. Eddie spent his last few seconds on earth trying to save the girl from death. When he wakes up, he realizes that Heaven isn’t a white paradise – it’s a place where you meet 5 people who explain what your purpose in life was. I really think this story was very touching & sweet. It makes you think a bit what Heaven will be like after we take our final breath. It’s beautiful. 

And then There Were None by Agatha Christie

This is the most exciting mystery I’ve ever read! 8 people – who are all completely different – are invited to Soldier Island. When they arrive, they realize that there is no way off. Suddenly one of the 8 dies. Then another. Then another. They do not die from natural deaths – they are murdered, sometimes in the most clever ways. They begin to see a pattern of the deaths, & soon, everyone is frightened that they will be the next to be murdered. Who is killing these people? And why? Who can they trust? Read this book! It’s very exciting, & it was my first Agatha Christie novel. This is most likely one of the best books ever! :)

Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

I understand that everyone has heard that Harry Potter is legend, & that is most certainly true. You all know the story, so I won’t even bother to explain it – rather, I’m going to convince you to read it! J.K. Rowling has officially wrote the most magical (no pun intended), beautiful, touching, most believable characters & story line I have ever read. And I was barely alive (not like 1 years old, I was older than that ^_^ ) during the whole ‘Harry Potter age.’ If this series wasn’t any good, why is there a theme park, stores, merchandise, & not to mention the bazillion fans that have adored this series for several years? Why hasn’t the Potter died out yet? It’s 2011. The first book was released in 2001. 10 years of magic, tears, laughter, sorrow & amazement.  It hasn’t died because of the characters that are so witty, & so clever; and not to mention the story line & how J.K. Rowling drops clues & hints so slyly in the story. How every single name and character in the book has a special meaning.

And if you don’t believe me, go here & see how much thought went into this series:

http://www.mugglenet.com/books/name_origins_characters.shtml

How all the spells & potions also have a special meaning. Harry Potter is just so believable, so charming anyone would find themselves rooting for Harry without knowing it. I could go on & on about HP, but for your eye’s sake, I’ll stop rambling. All I have it say is to pick up this book & read it. It will change your life. It changed the lives of people all around the world, and & mine also. The End. Mischief Managed. 

That’s all for now :) I will be updating this post regularly! :) All of these books are amazing & I hope know you will love them if you read them :) If you guys have any other books you want to share, be sure to let me know, I’m always up for reading new books! 

And thank you all who have read this post, it means bunches to me! Hope you can use this to find a book that suits you. I wasn’t even aware that anyone read my blogs – and suddenly boom! You guys come out of nowhere!  Be sure to check out some of my others if you have time. Thank you for your kind comments & words & thanks again for reading! Have a good one! ♥ Kezi