Update #2

Hey there bookworms! How are things going? Enjoying the end of the summer with a good book I hope :)

As you know, Fridays are the days that I upload my most recent book reviews; however, unlike all the previous weeks, there was no review uploaded this morning. That is because I have been quite busy with work and with getting myself organized for moving into my new apartment. So unfortunately, there will be no review for this week! Hopefully I will finish my book for next week.

But this does bring me to my second point which is school. I start back at University in September, and therefore I will not have as much time to read. So, in that case, come September I will only be posting reviews once or twice a month on a Friday or Saturday morning. I'm really sorry to have to cut back on this blog :(

Hopefully you'll stick with me for the time being despite fewer postings!

Until next time,
Happy Reading Fellow Bookworms

Landline (Rainbow Rowell)

Landline is a book that I became aware of via the world of Tumblr. I follow quite a few book blogs - as I like to get ideas of new books to read - and this author (and book) was one that appeared on my dashboard quite often. On a recent trip to the library, I happened to look in the 'New' section and saw this book sitting on the shelf. Having recognized it from Tumblr, I decided to give it a go since it has been popular in the online world. Of course, I knew nothing of the story or plot before checking this book out.

Landline is a fictional romance story that follows the marriage of Georgie McCool and her husband Neal. Having been married for quite some time and now being parents to two lovely girls, things aren't as great as they used to be. Georgie is your typical business woman - always consumed by her work - is realizes that her family could cope quite fine without her; perhaps even not notice her missing. When Neal takes the kids to Omaha for Christmas, leaving Georgie at home by chose, Georgie soon finds herself regretting that decision. However, at her mother's house, she finds an old land-line phone that seems to allow her to take to pre-marriage Neal. How is that possible? Does this mean a second chance at happiness?

The Book Cover

That above blurb basically sums up the complete story. Having completed the book, I have to say that I am quite conflicted about what to rate the story. On one hand, the idea behind the story is something that I really love. The concept that one could talk to the past and help themselves realize how to fix things is a unique story line. However, the way Rainbow Rowell chose to apply that concept is another thing. I found the story to drag on and be repetitive, not reaching the full potential that I'd hoped it would. I often found myself skipping sections in hopes of finding something new. In addition, I found myself confused as to which phone conversations were with present Neal and which were with the past; there was no visual distinction (ie. italics, font change...).

Overall, I would rate Landline a mere 2.2/5 because of what I said above. It really breaks my heart to see a unique and intriguing storyline applied so poorly by an author. Rainbow Rowell is an author I had high hopes for because of the popularity I'd seen throughout many book blogs on Tumblr. Needless to say, I won't be trying another one of her books anytime soon.

Her other novels, if you would like to give them a go.
(Let me know your thoughts on the others if you've read them)

Until next time,
Happy Reading Fellow Bookworms :)

Leave a comment with your thoughts on this story or with a suggestion of another book I should read & review!

If you would like updates for when a new review is posted, check out the Tumblr page!

Reached (Ally Condie)

Reached is the third and final novel in the Matched trilogy that follows the lives of those who live in the Society and those who escaped that world. Just like the first two novels, this story is a futuristic, corrupted world that must bounce back from self-destruction. However, unlike the first two, this book is split into five parts and follows three first-person perspectives. It follows the minds of Cassia, Ky, and Xander.

The Book Cover

The plot of this book lacks the action that the first two possessed; it seems to be more tame in that respect and is instead more about the finer details and smaller triumphs. You begin to learn more about the characters themselves as well as learn more of the people who left the Society. This plot follows the aftermath of Crossed - the second book - and is focused on one goal specifically: the cure. Other than that, not much happened throughout the story. The book does remain suspenseful, but I did find myself skimming a few parts of the plot that I found to be lacking. Reached was a longer book compared to the first two and I think in this case, that actually hurt the story.

The series as whole was brilliant though and reading Reached is important in allowing the story to come to a completion. I would definitely recommend reading this trilogy!

I would rate Reached 4.6/5 because it wasn't as good as the first two in the series, but it was still fairly captivating and intriguing.

Until next time,
Happy Reading Fellow Bookworms :)

Leave a comment with your thoughts on this story or with a suggestion of another book I should read & review!

If you would like updates for when a new review is posted, check out the Tumblr page!

Crossed (Ally Condie)

Crossed is the second book in the Matched trilogy and it is definitely as good as the first (perhaps even better if that's possible)! This book remains in the same genre as the first, that corrupted futuristic society that begins to fall apart; however, this one does differ from the first as it now follows the perspectives of both Cassia and Ky. When I discovered this, at first I was quite hesitant to see the change in writing, but as I continued on through the pages, I realized that having two perspectives is quite important to the dynamic of the story.

The Book Cover

The plot picks up roughly where the first book left off, and the action is there immediately. From the moment I started reading, all the way until the end, my heart was pounding from the suspense and unknown. Would Cassia survive or would her quick decisions have her caught in a bad situation? Would Ky find a way out or would he just become another statistic in the Society? I know I say this every time I review a series, but this time I truly can't say much without giving it all away.

What I will say is that I love the characters that join the "cast" in this book! Along the way you meet Indie, Vick, and Eli who are all brilliant additions to the already established characters from Matched. They add a new layer of what the Society has done and how their world was effected; it adds more dynamic to the story.

I would rate Crossed 5/5 because I couldn't put it down and it was definitely as good as the first! I was NOT disappointed for a second! I'm currently now reading the final book and I look forward to reviewing that one next week!

Until next time,
Happy Reading Fellow Bookworms :)

Leave a comment with your thoughts on this story or with a suggestion of another book I should read & review!

If you would like updates for when a new review is posted, check out the Tumblr page!

Matched (Ally Condie)

Matched is a book that I became aware of via Tumblr (no surprise there!). As I was scrolling through my dashboard, I saw a photo of someone's book haul and was immediately drawn to the cover of the book. I did a little bit of research about the book and discovered that it is the first book in a series of three. When you see all three of the books side-by-side, you are instantly draw in as the cover's themselves tell a story.

Matched is a futuristic story with a very restricted society and way of living. In a certain sense, it reminded me of Divergent: you have Officials who oversee the day-to-day activities and you have your Match Banquet which decides the rest of your life. Apart from that, Matched also stands apart from the other corrupted society novels that I've read. It does have a love story, but that's not the main point. The point of the plot is discovery and pushing the boundaries for knowledge.

The Book Cover

The story follows the life of Cassia, who recently turned seventeen, as she becomes of age for the beginning of her life in the society. In her world, everyone follows the rules and never dares to be different for fear of the consequences that are always certain to follow. However, Cassia - who is faced with a strange happening - begins to question how the society is run and dares to step out of the box. Her character is thrilling because she is in the dark as much as the reader so, as you read the story, you begin to fill her shoes and become engrossed in her world.

Matched - as mentioned at the start - is book one of three. The second novel is entitled Crossed and the third (and final) book is entitled Reached.

The Trilogy

I would rate Matched a perfect score of 5/5 because I honestly couldn't stop reading it! I read the full book in less than 48 hours and was never once disappointed. I can't wait to read the next one!

Until next time,
Happy Reading Fellow Bookworms :)

Leave a comment with your thoughts on this story or with a suggestion of another book I should read & review!

If you would like updates for when a new review is posted, check out the Tumblr page!