Saturday, December 31, 2011

My Favourites of 2011



Welcome to Tea Time with Marce

Happy New Year



Enjoyed the series but loved this one.  A Steamy, exquisite story with a mysterious edge.






LOVED THE TRILOGY - Highly recommend



Night Road by Kristin Hannah 



Emotional Parenting read, have the Kleenex ready


 
Bad Things Happen by Harry Dolan 


Currently Reading


Intricate, Engaging, Captivating Mystery


 
The Restorer by Amanda Stevens 

Currently Reading

Great creepy mystery



 
Come Back to Me by Melissa Foster 




Powerful, heartbreaking, engaging



 




Beautiful classic, magical


 
The Human Obsession by Heath Sommer 5 Sept



Perfect execution, the close to a Psychological Thriller Trilogy


 
We Need to Talk about Kevin 4 Dec



Best discussion, wow book - Brutal, Intense, Shocking, Emotional



 



A horrifying classic, greatness


 
My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Journey 4 March



Important for Stroke survivors families

I thought the Appendix - Forty Things I Needed the Most - was so important


Feel free to add your favourites link to share with others





Friday, December 30, 2011

ARC Review - Fifty Shades of Freed by E L James

 Currently Reading


Book Summary from The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House


When unworldly student Ana Steele first encountered the driven, damaged young entrepreneur Christian Grey, it sparked a sensual affair that changed both their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and ultimately repelled by Christian’s singular sexual tastes, Ana demanded a deeper commitment; determined to keep her, Christian agreed.

Now, together, they have more—love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of infinite possibilities. But Ana always knew that loving her Fifty Shades would not be easy and being together poses challenges neither of them ever anticipated. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian’s opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own integrity, identity, or independence; Christian must somehow overcome his compulsion to control and lay to rest the horrors that blighted his past and haunt his present.

Just when it seems that together their love can conquer any obstacle, tragedy, malice and fate combine to make Ana’s worst nightmares come true. Alone and desperate, she must face down the poisoned legacy of Christian’s past.

Seductive, shocking, sad, and funny, Fifty Shades Freed is the compelling final volume in the Fifty Shades trilogy.


My Review - 3 1/2 More Sugar Please

This trilogy started out with a bang, I loved every moment.  The 2nd was good and now the 3rd is good but only because I enjoy the characters, I wanted so much more.  I will continue to recommend the first one but the third just didn't make the mark.

I would categorise this as a Romance read, not my favourite genre so by 50% I was rather bored and disappointed. I wrote this from a past review It is categorized as Erotica but truly it is so much more, Suspense, Mystery, Romance and definitely Thrilling, oh and did I say hot!  What is hard for me is that all along the books have been Erotica but they were so edgy, I thought EL James took that away now, they not only enjoyed Vanilla sex in this one but I felt there personalities became 'normal'.  Christian seemed to change to much for me.  I understood the Freed part which we finally get to in the last 25% of the story which was great but things happened that would never in the real life of Christian but I think was purposely written as a 'meant to be' which is an eye roll in my world.

Ana was strong, risky and sexy in this one which I loved.  Totally topping from the bottom, loved this.  You will have to read to understand that term, possibly even know more about the BDSM lifestyle.  I had been waiting for this and wanted a steamy topping from the bottom playroom scene.  I will say that I am happy they found their forever lifestyle that works for them, that was hot.  Christian loves control but Ana was able to stand up to him like no other and help teach and free him.

Music was always a huge factor but this one Ana didn't know most of the songs, it became irritating the way it was done, one playroom scene the music was used amazing well.

The other story lines were ok, I wasn't wow'd by them and they were to short for me to get engaged.  Overall, a ton of hot sexy scenes so if that is what you love to read, I highly recommend. It was the mystery and intensity of their relationship that made me first fall in love with Christian and Ana but overall in the end still an intriguing love story.

I love tie in covers for trilogy's, and these one's were perfect, giving a glimpse of the story in each.



I received this book from the Early Reviews LibraryThing list.

Available January 19, 2012, go TWCS to order, you must read in order


Thursday, December 29, 2011

2011 Stats for Tea Time with Marce



I am loving the lists I have seen so far, I think I will put my 2011 Top 10 up on Saturday.

My 2011 Stats for Tea Time with Marce

My Goal was to read 50 books for the year, I am currently reading my 60th

Last year I had 234 posts, this will be my 206

I joined 8 Challenges and completed all, yaaaay me, I think only 3 books crossed over

I only had 2 DNF.  There were a few I started but wasn't in the mood so will come back later, those do not count but was approximately 7.

I read 18 male authors and 33 female authors and 1 couple collaboration

I read the following genres:  Thriller, Suspense and Mystery (all my favourite) Adult Fiction, Memoir, Non Fiction, YA, Classic and Paranormal Fantasy

I won 4 books from contests and I'm International, pretty good

I had 3 Author interviews

Honourable Mention - I held my first week event, Thrill Week which will be an annual event.


How I received what I read:

42 On Kindle, can you tell this is my preference of reading, love my Kindle
5 ARC 3 and 2 Book Tours
8 Review Requests - not including ARC's
8 My own buys
3 Bookclub/Discussion


Are there any stats you enjoy reading about or keeping for yourself?


Monday, December 26, 2011

End of 2011 Book Survey




I am so excited about this week, I love end of year survey's, favourite lists, etc.  This one is being hosted fom Jamie at The Perpetual Page-Turner.


1. Best Book You Read In 2011?

 Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James, absolutely adored it.  Great steamy mysterious book. 

2. Most Disappointing Book/Book You Wish You Loved More Than You Did?


Triangles by Ellen Hopkins.  Verse Novels are my simple pleasure, I expected it to be edgy but it chick lit, I actually DNF.

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2011?

The Secret Garden, so not me but it was magical.  A wonderful classic I look forward to sharing with my daughter.

4. Book you recommended to people most in 2011?  

I am not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells. Loved it, read the other 2 books in the Trilogy, highly recommend.

5. Best series you discovered in 2011?

I have 2 - I am not a Serial Killer and Fifty Shades of Grey, both are trilogy's.




6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2011?

Harry Dolan, Greg Iles, Melissa Foster (Links go to author interviews)

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

YA is not my cup of tea but I loved Dirty Little Secrets by C J Omololu

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2011?

A stand alone would be Night Road by Kristin Hannah.  Also my favourite ARC.

9. Book you most anticipated in 2011?

Left Neglected by Lisa Genova, I loved Still Alice and couldn't wait to read this one.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2011?


11. Most memorable character in 2011?

John from I am not a serial killer.  I admitted to loving a serial killer earlier in the year, lol

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2011?

The Secret Garden

 


13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2011? 

My Stroke of Insight (Journey of a Brain Scientist)  This helped me deal with my brothers massive stroke.  He is still in the hospital but he can talk now, Dialysis for the rest of his life and still doesn't have movement in his left leg and arm.

14. Book you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2011 to finally read?

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2011?

I usually choose a quote to share during reviews.

16. Book That You Read In 2011 That Would Be Most Likely To Reread In 2012? 

I don't reread, but I will read The Secret Garden with my daughter when she is old enough.

17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers! 

 
We Need to Talk about Kevin




THE END of THE SURVEY


If you did this survey please share link.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Review - Dirty Little Secrets by C. J. Omololu




Book Summary from Amazon

Everyone has a secret. But Lucy's is bigger and dirtier than most. It's one she's been hiding for years-that her mom's out-of-control hoarding has turned their lives into a world of garbage and shame. She's managed to keep her home life hidden from her best friend and her crush, knowing they'd be disgusted by the truth. So, when her mom dies suddenly in their home, Lucy hesitates to call 911 because revealing their way of life would make her future unbearable-and she begins her two-day plan to set her life right.
 
With details that are as fascinating as they are disturbing, C. J. Omololu weaves an hour-by-hour account of Lucy's desperate attempt at normalcy. Her fear and isolation are palpable as readers are pulled down a path from which there is no return, and the impact of hoarding on one teen's life will have readers completely hooked.
 
My Review - 5 Tea Time Perfection
 
I found a YA book that I loved.
 
The topic of hoarding completely fascinated me and reading the story from the perspective of the teenage daughter was a perfect choice.  I think every detail you can think about was discussed in the book, usually I think there is to much missing or not deep enough for me to feel engaged, well I think Omololu did a great job.
 
I knew hoarding was an illness but I had no idea of the level it was, how unsafe and unhealthy, I am in shock.
 
Lucy was so strong in my opinion, how hard is it to know what is right when you are told to ignore, forget and to wait it out until she can escape from what she calls home.  Purposely not allowing herself to live life but knowing she has the right to have a 'normal' life. 
 
What emotional turmoil to have to deal with the heartbreak of being called Garbage Girl which started from an old best friend   She never wanted to live through that again or bring shame and heartbreak to the rest of her family.  She has to make the hardest decision, calling 911 or keeping her family secret.  This was so well done that you don't think she is foolish or that it is unbelievable.  I wanted to magically become part of the story and help her, great character.  All the other characters were secondary but still made an impact.  The next door neighbour TJ, loved him, children done well are so special.
 
I loved the description and feel of mother/daugther relationship.  I felt the journey, the daily life, before the hoarding, a glimpse of the mothers childhood that Lucy didn't know, the moms dreams that Lucy found, the moms career as a Nurse, all of this was such a rewarding important part to the story.  I thought it completely ironic she was a loving Nurse and a hoarder, how is that possible.
 
One thing, it starts out saying 'before' so I was waiting for the 'after' but it didn't come.  The ending can be the end so there is no 'after' but i'm unsure if this was done on purpose or not.  A small issue for me but not enough to change my rating.
 
I would have to say this is one of my favourite YA stories.
 
Favourite quote - this is a conversation between Lucy and TJ.  It shows the extent of how disgusting hoarding is, their thinking but also the innocence and creative mind of a child in response to it.
 
"How about a snotty-nose tissue that someone who has the worst cold in the world has blown their nose in until it was dripping with boggers?"
 
I stopped to think for a minute.  "Well, she might throw it away," I said.  "But if someone was working on an art project that could incorporate a snotty, boogery nose tissue, then she would keep it in a bag somewhere until she could give it to them."
 
"Ewwww!"
 
 
I chose this book to complete my very last Challenge, yaaaay me.
 
I definitely will be reading Dirty Secret, a memoir I saw reviewed over Kathy's blog BermudaOnion.
 
 
 

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Completed my favourite Challenge A-Z Mystery Authors

 

This was my favourite challenge this year from Michelle's blog red headed book child.  All new to me authors in my favourite genre.  I chose the A-I level and next year will go for the J-P level.

And best of all every book was good, so all great authors, in my opinion.  My favourite would be Harry Dolan.  I look forward to reading more by all of the authors. (With * I already have another book)  


  • A - DM Annechino *




  • B - Robert Bloch




  • C - Agatha Christie




  • D - Harry Dolan *




  • E - J.T. Ellison *




  • F - Nicci French




  • G - Tess Gerritsen




  • H - Steve Hamilton




  • I - Greg Iles





  • And I haven't seen the Challenge up for next year but here are the authors I have chose already.



  • J - Iris Johanson




  • K - Douglas Kennedy or Lars Kepler




  • L - Jeff Lindsey or Simon Lelic




  • M - Val McDermid




  • N - Barbara Nodel




  • O - Karen Olsen




  • P- Michelle Paver





  • Sunday, December 18, 2011

    Last Monday before Christmas

    Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while continuing to add to your 2011 Wishlist.


     

    
    Happy Holidays Blogging Friends, I wish all of you a Merry Christmas, enjoy every moment with your family and friends and remembering those who have passed.


    I'm currently reading



    It is about hoarding and how it affects a teenage girl.  I'm impressed so far and it is YA, can you believe it.














    My holiday read was good - My Review





















    I may read another holiday read - A classic, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens







    The Eclectic Reader 2012 Challenge





    The aim of The Eclectic Reader 2012 Challenge is to push you a little outside your comfort zone by reading up to 12 books during the year from 12 different genres.


    If you want to join, go over to ShellyRae's blog Book'd Out

    Here are the Genres

    (My challenge will be Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Science Fiction)
    1. Literary Fiction
    2. Crime/Mystery Fiction
    3. Romantic Fiction
    4. Historical Fiction
    5. Young Adult
    6. Fantasy
    7. Science Fiction
    8. Non Fiction
    9. Horror
    10. Thriller /Suspense
    11. Classic
    12. Your favourite genre

    I keep track of my challenges on my sidebar.

    Saturday, December 17, 2011

    Review - 24 Hours by Greg Iles


    
    24 Hours begins with the perfect family. On the perfect night. About to be trapped in the perfect crime.


    Will and Karen Jennings are a successful young couple with every reason to celebrate. From modest beginnings they have built the life of their dreams. Will has a thriving medical practice, and stands at the threshold of a great fortune. Karen has designed a magnificent house to shelter them and the five-year-old daughter they love beyond measure. But they are about to be tested in a way they could never imagine.

    They have been targeted by John Hickey, a genius who has found the key to one of the oldest crimes in the world - Kidnapping. Hickey has turned the crime inside out, creating an unbreakable knot of technology and terror that no man can unravel. In twenty-four hours of hellish precision, he squeezes a family's pressure points, extracts the ransom, and vanishes into thin air, leaving the hostage alive but the family too shattered even to call the police. Five times he has executed his plan, and not once has he been caught. He is unstoppable. Untouchable.

    But this time Hickey wants more than money. This time he is driven by the pain of his own family tragedy, one he lays at the door of Will and Karen Jennings. He means to avenge it in his own terrible way and disappear forever. He has reckoned every factor but one: Will, Karen, and Abby Jennings share a love that only the closest families know, and from that love grows a formidable strength.

    Though miles apart, the brilliant physician, the protective mother, and the resourceful child struggle against the clock to thwart the madman who threatens their family, and to reunite at last.

    They have twenty-four hours to succeed where others have failed. Twenty-four hours to cut the unbreakable knot. Twenty-four hours to live or die.


    My Review - 4 Great to the last drop

    For those that voted, I did start reading Good Grief but it was to similar to Comfort and Joy so I put it down and went with this one.

    What a fast rush of reading to the heart pounding beat.  For many this will be a one seat read. I really enjoyed this one, a packed action thriller.  The whole time the images were in my mind, a definite movie like book.  I should have known, it is a movie, the title is Trapped, now I must go watch it.  I feel like I may have seen it because the story felt to 'real' to me, deja vu like.

    The saying it is to good to be true always rings correct at some point.  Why do criminals never know when to stop, that greed will get them every time.  3 Criminals pull off a great crime but only 1 was in charge, talk about scare tactics to keep loyalty.

    I find children in books are always the ones that steal the story.  I loved Abby.  She was so genuine as a 5 year old, her fear, creative thoughts, naivety, that innocence you have to love about children. 

    I enjoyed how Greg Iles joined all the stories into crashing climax.  There were definite unbelievable scenes, the kind you love even though you know it is all bull so for me this still gets a high rating, for others that may give them a lower rating. 

    Greg Iles is new to me but I look forward to reading many more, any recommendations?  This one was recommended to me during Thrill Week and I used it for my A-Z Mystery Challenge. 




    Friday, December 16, 2011

    TGIF - Popular posts this year


     
    Most Popular: What blog post has gotten the most 
    comments/activity on your blog this year?
     
     
    What a great post and fun way to network, I look forward to visiting other blogs.  You can go to Greads here to participate.
     
    Overall this has been a great year for posting and getting comments.  I have to thank many of my consistent followers.   I have been blogging for 2 years and I think commenting/networking has been the reason for having good commenting numbers.  Thank you.
     
    I chose a couple of categories.
     
    Meme - Top Ten received 37 comments
     
     
    Looking back, I only read 3 out of the 10 and one I removed from my Wishlist completely.
     
    Review - received 19 comments
     
     
    If you haven't read this because of the title, dismiss it and read it, you won't be disappointed but I agree the name is ridiculous :-)
     
    Discussion - received 29 comments
     
     
    Are chunksters worth it?  I decided over 500/600 may not be for me.
     
    And my favourite - received 15 comments
     
     
    A week of discussions for lovers of the genres Thriller, Suspense, Mystery and Horror.  We started off with a questionnaire hop.
     
     
     
    These are my choices, thanks again to all those that have commented and continue to.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    Friday Finds - Thriller and Children's Book



    Will Marion has two perfect kidneys.His daughters aren't so lucky. Question is: which one should he save? Will's 47. His wife bailed out when the twins were in nappies and hasn't been seen since. He coped OK by himself at first, giving Georgie and Kay all the love he could, working in a boring admin job to support them. Just after the twins turn sixteen, Georgie suffers kidney failure and is placed on dialysis. Her type is rare, and Will immediately offers to donate an organ. Without a transplant, she would probably never see adulthood. So far so good. But then Kay gets sick. She's also sixteen. Just as precious. Her kidney type just as rare. Time is critical, and he has to make a decision. Should be buy a kidney - be an organ tourist? Should be save one child? If so, which one? Should be sacrifice himself?Or is there a fourth solution - one so terrible it has never even crossed his mind?




    The illustrations in this book are absolutely stunning.  My 4 year old daughter asked to hear the song also, she loves it.  I had an awe moment when reading this for the first time.

    Highly recommend


    Wednesday, December 14, 2011

    I Want More Challenge 2012 (2nd Year)



    Welcome to Tea Time with Marce




    I Want More Book Challenge 2012:

    There are so many amazing authors but sometimes we get caught up in reading all the debut authors we forget about the authors that have already impressed us, excited us, gave us what all readers want, a great read, that wow moment, so this Challenge is to show all the authors that have pleased us already how thankful we are by reading more of their literary works.

    Have you read 1book by an author and at the end said you must read more? Then this Challenge is for you.

    Details:

    * Challenge Dates: January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012

    * All Genres are Welcome

    * This challenge does NOT include Series, only stand alone

    * See Levels below, you can change at any time if increasing, you cannot decrease once signed up.

    * All forms of books will count - eBooks, Audiobooks, etc

    * You do not have to list the chosen books ahead of time and your choices can crossover into other challenges you have joined. In your post or comments here, give us an idea of what authors impressed you so now You Want More.

    * If you participate in this challenge please signup below. Either post and link back here with your direct link to your intro challenge post or put Challenge Button on sidebar linking back here please.

    * A Surprise Giveaway during the year (only for those that have reviews posted)

    Level of Participation

    Waited too long: 2 - 4 books

    Give me more: 5 - 8 books

    Never too much: 9 - 12 books

     
     
    Thanks for joining, link up here




    Tuesday, December 13, 2011

    Review - Comfort and Joy by Kristin Hannah






    Book Summary from Steph the Bookworms blog and her review

    Joy's life has turned upside down. She found her husband and sister in bed together, and now they're getting married and having a baby. Since her life is in upheaval, she decides to step away from it all, at least for the holidays. She boards a plane for Hope, which inexplicably crashes and blows up, right after she walks away from it. Finding herself in an unknown town, she stumbles across an old fishing lodge where she meets Bobby, a young boy who believes in magic, and his father Daniel, a recently widowed man. While her and Bobby instantly connect, Daniel seems aloof and disinterested at best. Soon, Joy realizes things aren't what they seem, and that maybe she should believe in magic too.


    My Review - 4 Great to the last Drop
     
    Kristin Hannah has quickly became my favourite adult fiction author so I was happy to read her Christmas book.  The story was around Christmas time but I think it can be read anytime of year, it is a great story about dealing with grief and starting over.
     
    I have to say the first half of the book I only enjoyed because I love Kristin Hannah's characters but I thought almost everything was totally unbelievable and I was totally thinking oh goodness this is going to be a lame romance.  I was highly satisfied with the shocker she threw at us, wow, caught me off guard, I was pleasantly surprised. 
     
    The Christmas feel was the magical times, fate that Bobby, Daniel and her shared.  This was the little boy and father that was dealing with their own heartbreaking loss. 
     
    It is a sweet book about dealing with divorce, family betrayal, death and wishing on a star so to speak.  And of course it was wrapped up nicely in a bow.
     
    A favourite quote
     
    You can run away from your life and your past, but there's no way to distance yourself from your own heart. 
     
     
     
     
     

    Sunday, December 11, 2011

    Reading, Read and What should I read?

    Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while continuing to add to your 2011 Wishlist.

    I have been happy with this weeks reading.  Almost Christmas, can you believe it :-)  Also, all the great favourite list coming soon, can't wait.

    I'm currently reading



    I completed We Need to Talk about Kevin, discussion here and movie trailer here.















    also completed - The Secret Garden




    What is next? Vote for my next read on my sidebar please.  If you want book details go to my post here.


    What should I read next?


    The year is almost over and I have 2 challenges to complete, each only needing one book.  I have decided for the future, December will not be for my challenges, they need to be complete by then.  It is holiday season and my choice of genre is a little dark for Christmas :-)

    Here are the 2 choices, what would you choose for me to read?

    Good Grief by Lolly Winston

    The cover of Good Grief.

    When Sophie Stanton is widowed at thirty-six, instead of cycling through the typical five stages of grief, she careens through fifteen: Denial, Oreos, Anger, Depression, Escrow, Ashes, Lust, Bargaining, Waitressing, Mentoring, Dating, Baking, Acceptance, Goodwill, and Thanksgiving.


    In a high-achiever age when women are expected to be good at everything, Sophie wants desperately to be a good widow. A graceful, composed, Jackie Kennedy kind of widow. But Sophie is more the Jack Daniels type. Self medicating with cartons of ice cream for breakfast, and showing up at work in her bathrobe and bunny slippers, soon she's lost not only her husband, but also her job, her house, and her waistline. In Sophie's words: “The Funny thing about rock bottom is there's stuff underneath. You think, This is it: It's all uphill from here! Then you discover the escalator goes down one more floor to another level of bargain basement junk.” With a darkly comic edge Sophie manages to start over, and ultimately she discovers her own happily-ever-after.

    Good Grief was a New York Times best seller, and a #1 Booksense pick for March/April, 2004. It was also the #1 Booksense pick for paperbacks in the summer of 2005. The film rights have been optioned by Marc Platt, at Universal Studios.



    24 Hours by Greg Iles
     


    24 Hours begins with the perfect family. On the perfect night. About to be trapped in the perfect crime.


    Will and Karen Jennings are a successful young couple with every reason to celebrate. From modest beginnings they have built the life of their dreams. Will has a thriving medical practice, and stands at the threshold of a great fortune. Karen has designed a magnificent house to shelter them and the five-year-old daughter they love beyond measure. But they are about to be tested in a way they could never imagine.

    They have been targeted by John Hickey, a genius who has found the key to one of the oldest crimes in the world - Kidnapping. Hickey has turned the crime inside out, creating an unbreakable knot of technology and terror that no man can unravel. In twenty-four hours of hellish precision, he squeezes a family's pressure points, extracts the ransom, and vanishes into thin air, leaving the hostage alive but the family too shattered even to call the police. Five times he has executed his plan, and not once has he been caught. He is unstoppable. Untouchable.

    But this time Hickey wants more than money. This time he is driven by the pain of his own family tragedy, one he lays at the door of Will and Karen Jennings. He means to avenge it in his own terrible way and disappear forever. He has reckoned every factor but one: Will, Karen, and Abby Jennings share a love that only the closest families know, and from that love grows a formidable strength.

    Though miles apart, the brilliant physician, the protective mother, and the resourceful child struggle against the clock to thwart the madman who threatens their family, and to reunite at last.

    They have twenty-four hours to succeed where others have failed. Twenty-four hours to cut the unbreakable knot. Twenty-four hours to live or die.


    Thanks for helping, you can vote on my side bar.  Have you read them?

    Friday, December 9, 2011

    Discussion - Join In (We Need to Talk about Kevin)




    ***  SPOILER DISCUSSION ***

    If you are considering reading this book YOU SHOULD NOT read this discussion!!


    Please link your review here. (Doesn't matter when you reviewed it)




    Questions to assist the discussion, pick and choose what you want to answer or just discuss.  Thanks for participating.

    -  In ONE word describe this book.......

    -  What is your favourite memorable scene?

    -  Who do you blame for Kevin's childhood actions and becoming a murderer?  Do you think Eva should have been held responsible?

    - Are you a mother?  How do you think the story affected you as a mom or not?

    -  How would you describe Eva and Franklin's parenting style?

    -  What expectations did Eva have of motherhood and how did she meet the reality of it?

    -  What was your reaction to Kevin using a crowbar instead of a gun?

    -  What do you think Kevin's motive was?

    -  What do you think about the title?


    Publisher Questions

    -  The irony of Eva having read Robin Hood to an ailing, needy Kevin at a time of almost shocking mother-son bonding is played out in the way Kevin massacred his fellow students and the teacher who took an interest in him. Since it is Eva who connects Kevin's fevered state with her recollection of his unusual interest in anything whatsoever, is it possible that Kevin's methods were meant to figuratively slay his mother?

    -  Do you think Franklin was in denial or did he realise some of the warning signs?  Did you sympathize with them as parents?  Can you have sympathy for a  mother and father who saw all the warning signs but failed to stop the violence?

    -  Given that the story is told from Eva's perspective only, can she be trusted as reliable? Do you think she exaggerated to make herself look good/better? How do you think Franklin's version of events would have differed? Might Eva choose to portray Kevin in childhood as more wicked than he really was, if only to make her seem less culpable for his crimes as a teenager?

    -  While you were reading the novel, did you ever wonder what Franklin was doing and why he never seemed to write back to Eva?  Did you figure out he was dead before it was revealed?

    -  Do you think that Kevin was guilty of damaging his little sister's eye? If so, what evidence do you find for this assumption, and would it stand up in court?

    -  At the conclusion of the novel, did you find Eva sympathetic in a way you may not have initially? Do you think Eva has sympathy and forgiveness for herself? Is she able to accept Kevin, and to see his personality as, however uncomfortably, akin to her own?


    Thank you for participating.  I decided to respond in the comments along with you instead of planning ahead so I will come back and fourth through out the day and weekend. 

    Thursday, December 8, 2011

    Review - We Need to Talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver





    Book Summary from Amazon


    The gripping international bestseller about motherhood gone awry.

    Eva never really wanted to be a mother—and certainly not the mother of the unlovable boy who murdered seven of his fellow high school students, a cafeteria worker, and a much-adored teacher who tried to befriend him, all two days before his sixteenth birthday. Now, two years later, it is time for her to come to terms with marriage, career, family, parenthood, and Kevin's horrific rampage in a series of startlingly direct correspondences with her estranged husband, Franklin. Uneasy with the sacrifices and social demotion of motherhood from the start, Eva fears that her alarming dislike for her own son may be responsible for driving him so nihilistically off the rails.


    My Review - 4 Great to the last Drop

    This is the hardest book I have ever read.  Brutal, intense, shocking, I feel like the blood has slowly been taken out of my body and I was left to die in my thoughts. 

    The intro quote is:  A child needs your love most when he deserves it least.  - Erma Bombeck

    I don't know how Kevin's parents loved him, what a parental struggle to deal with Kevin. 

    About 30% in I started to have the need to hear from Franklin, the father.  I was enjoying Eva's letters but wanted more.  Eva wrote Franklin often within a 2 year time gap, sometimes daily, weekly or monthly, this is how the story was unfolded.  So many things I couldn't believe she never told Franklin, how did they live together and at times be happy without real communication and harmony.

    Eva's letters takes you on a mysterious journey, makes you think, takes you down the judgement alley, makes you want to scream, criticize, say what if, why don't they, why didn't they.  What really drew me in by half way was that Kevin had so many characteristics of a serial killer to be and Eva wasn't fearful enough to get him help.  Ironically Franklin thought Eva should go to a shrink, unbelievable.  To be able to see the signs and follow the ultimate destruction was phenomenal, this is what glued me to the pages.  I don't know how Eva didn't disown Kevin but Franklin was not about to give up on their son and put a label on him, he just loved and supported him to a fault.  I struggled with Eva and Kevin competing with each other, very complicated mother and son relationship. 

    The main fault I have with this novel is the excessive use of unknown words, I didn't understand why this was necessary but it was from beginning to end, so many new words to learn I couldn't enjoy learning one or two.

    What I loved about the book is even though you know something is going to happen, you know the end result, there suspenseful elements, you may figure them out, but the reality still hits you like a ton of bricks.  This was executed to perfection.

    This is a very hard book to get through but it just gets better.  I started to think this was a bad choice initially but I am so glad I stuck to it, what an unbelievable, amazing, mysterious, thought provoking book.

    There will be a discussion here at Tea Time with Marce tomorrow.  Come over, join in, link your review and lets discuss, vent, debate and have it out.  I highly recommend you only read the discussion posts if you have read the book or have no intentions to read it, it will be full of SPOILERS.





    Wednesday, December 7, 2011

    Movie Trailer for We Need toTalk about Kevin


    Join us here at Tea Time with Marce on Friday to discuss the intense drama novel, We Need to Talk about Kevin.

    I will post my review tomorrow.

    Book Summary from Amazon

    The gripping international bestseller about motherhood gone awry.

    Eva never really wanted to be a mother—and certainly not the mother of the unlovable boy who murdered seven of his fellow high school students, a cafeteria worker, and a much-adored teacher who tried to befriend him, all two days before his sixteenth birthday. Now, two years later, it is time for her to come to terms with marriage, career, family, parenthood, and Kevin's horrific rampage in a series of startlingly direct correspondences with her estranged husband, Franklyn. Uneasy with the sacrifices and social demotion of motherhood from the start, Eva fears that her alarming dislike for her own son may be responsible for driving him so nihilistically off the rails.

    Patiently waiting..........

    I really look forward to seeing this.  I initially  heard the movie will be released on Friday, Dec 9 but now I have heard UK was released in Oct and this trailer says next year.  So you may still have time, go read this book, highly recommend but be warned, it is a very hard book to get through.






    What do you think of trailer?


    Review - The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett




    Book Summary

    A beloved classic of children's literature, The Secret Garden, tells an inspirational tale of transformation and empowerment. Mary Lennox, a sickly and contrary little girl, is orphaned to dim prospects in a gloomy English manor - her only friend is a bed-ridden boy named Colin whose prospects may be dimmer than hers. But when Mary finds the key to a Secret Garden, the magical powers of transformation fall within her reach.

    My Review - 4 1/2 Great to the last Drop

    Let me start by saying, yes, this isn't my genre or kind of book, lol :-)  I have a 4 year old daughter and had put this one on the list to read before I read it with her, I think when she is 8 will be perfect.  I read After You by Julie Buxbaum and The Secret Garden was used through out the story so I was intrigued.  And a bonus, it goes towards a Challenge, one I still may not finish.

    What a sweet story.  The children, Mary, Colin and Dickon are delightful, so genuine.  I loved reading about the tantrums, creative minds, friendship, being brave and the 'magic'. 

    The best part of this book is that even though it was published in 1910 it is perfect for today also.  I especially recommend for wealthy friends, celebrity children, children moving to a new culture and children that feel different for any reason.  There is a message that adults will love and children will get in an exciting way without them feeling like they are learning something. Learning about the importance of being personable and positive. 

    The Secret Garden is so special and I think the reader can take unique significance from the experiences they had from the Garden, their very own shared secret.  There are so many special moments and favourite scenes. 

    The Secret Garden is the old and new combined becoming their future.  Just lovely.

    A favourite quote of mine.  Delightful, just shows how charming at times this is.......

    'Is the spring coming?' he said.  'What is it like?  You don't see it in rooms if you are ill.'

    'It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine, and things pushing up and working under the earth, ' said Mary. 



    Tuesday, December 6, 2011

    Free Reads 2012 Challenge - what do you recommend?



    Free Reads is a new challenge Bookish Ardour are starting this year.

    What It’s All About
    Are you one of those book lovers who receive lots of books for presents? Have unread books lying around that you won in giveaways, received as ARCs, were given second hand, or even found lying around in the street! Then you might want to join in this challenge because we’re aiming to read all those unread books received as freebies in some form.

    The Deets

    • The Main Rule: Read books you’ve received without purchasing, gifts, ARCs, prizes (not library books), that you haven’t read yet.
    • Running Dates: 1st of January – 31st of December 2012
    • When Can I Sign Up: All the way up to the last two weeks of December!
    • Crossover Genres: Anything! As long as they were free when you got them, it doesn’t matter..
    • Mr Linky: To use the Mr Linky you’ll need to click on the graphic then enter your link. These will be updated and posted into this page every couple of weeks or so.
    • Further Details: Crossover challenges are fine, you can change levels at any time, this is eBook, short story, and graphic novel friendly, and you don’t need a blog to join in (read further for details).

    I am going for Level 1 - For Me?  - 5 books

    Thank you to all the bloggers who held giveaways, wow, putting it together, I have did pretty good for an international blogger.  When I review I always thank the blogger, author etc specifically at that time.

    This is what I will choose from:


     I won


      Early reviewer for Librarything


     I won


      I won


     I won for my Kindle


     From the author


      I won the first 3 in this series.



    Are there any that you think 'Marce, yes, you should read that?'


    Note - I thought the point of ARC's was to read it before it came out to assist with getting the word out about the book??????