This Side of Paradise

Rating: 5/5

Title: This Side of Paradise

Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald

Page Count (Paperback): 276

Official Amazon Description

     This Side of Paradise is the book that established F. Scott Fitzgerald as the prophet and golden boy of the newly dawned Jazz Age. Published in 1920, when he was just twenty-three, the novel catapulted him to instant fame and financial success. The story of Amory Blaine, a privileged, aimless, and self-absorbed Princeton student, This Side of Paradise closely reflects Fitzgerald's own experiences as an undergraduate. Amory Blaine's journey from prep school to college to the First World War is an account of "the lost generation." The young "romantic egotist" symbolizes what Fitzgerald so memorably described as "a new generation grown up to find all Gods dead, all wars fought, all faiths in man shaken." A pastiche of literary styles, this dazzling chronicle of youth remains bitingly relevant decades later.

My Thoughts

     This Side of Paradise can only be described as a literary masterpiece and a brilliant commentary on Fitzgerald's society. Like The Old Curiosity Shop I loved the character development in This Side of Paradise. Though physically the plot followed the life of Amory from his childhood to around his early thirtes or late twenties, Fitgerald also went into great depth about the transition from boy to man that Amory made mentally. I really enjoyed following this progression as he delved deeper and deeper into Amory's inner journey to discover himself. I definitley didn't agree with all of Amory's opinions on the world but in his philosophical musings both within himself and with the other thinkers around him, Amory presented strong arguments to back all of his opinions.

        One of the wonderful things about Fitgerald's focus on the mind in This Side of Paradise was that it got me thinking. Whenever Amory presented one of his well supported opinions, I would have to stop and think about how I felt and why; in every sense of the phrase This Side of Paradise was most certainly thought provoking.

       Beyond the philosophical and thought provoking nature of this work I also extremely enjoyed the wry wit and candid thoughts of Amory. One of my favourite quotes from the novel was,  "Every author ought to write a book as if he were going to be beheaded the day he finished it" (211). I suppose one of the reasons I was so struck by this quote was because I absolutley agreed with the philosophy behind it, so many authors hold back when writing for fear of what people might think,  truly lessening the impact of their work. But if authors wrote as if they were going to be beheaded the day they finished it there would be no need to hold back for fear of society's reaction and in my opinion, there would be a lot more thought provoking and truly great books in the world today.

Click below to read it yourself:

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Freja

Rating: 4/5

Title: Freja

Series: Book Two of the Nordic Fairies

Author: Saga Berg

Page Count (ebook/novella): 43

Official Amazon Description

     Four months have passed since Svala met Viggo in New York, and she hasn’t heard from him since. When Viggo appears in a popular interview on TV, Svala and her friends gather in Svala’s and Trym’s living room to watch. Svala with the hope Viggo will give her a sign, and let her know how he is doing. He doesn’t. Instead, something happens during the interview that takes Svala completely off guard. On national television, she is reminded of a painful memory from their past.

     In the second part of Nordic Fairies, the public display of Viggo and Svala’s most painful secret from their past forces Svala to remember her past. Driven by guilt, Viggo breaks the rules and tries to contact her, but his attempt leaves Svala with more questions than answers.

     What is he up to? And what exactly is going on between Viggo and his co-star actress, Amanda Jones?

My Thoughts

     I had a few minor concerns about Berg being able to live up to the promising start that was the first nordic fairies novella. But after finishing Freja, the second installment in the series, all of my doubts were banished, and I am now hopelessly addicted to the series! In my opinion Freja was even better than the first novella in the series. Not only is the transition from the first novella to Freja seemless but the plot develops wonderfully. This novella goes into greater depth as to what it means to be a Nordic Fairy and places a larger emphasis on character development (a.k.a. you get to learn more about the intriguing romance between Viggo and Svala!!). In total Freja is a must read for any fans and sceptics of the first novella, and anyone who is looking for a way to break out of reading the vampire/werewolf young adult trend.

Click Below to Read it Yourself

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My Previous Reviews of this Series

Nordic Fairies (the first novella)

Nordic Fairies

Rating: 3/5

Title: Nordic Fairies

Series: Book One of Nordic Fairies

Author: Saga Berg

Page Count (ebook/novella): 43

 

Official Amazon Description

What would you do if your lover since a thousand years back in time reappeared after two years apart as a famous movie star, and you couldn't get to him?

Svala and Viggo have spent a hundred lives together over the last thousand years. As Liosálfar, Nordic light fairies, their job is to do good and to uphold a balance in the mortal world. A balance, often compromised by the Döckálfar, Nordic dark fairies.

In this life, Svala turns on her TV and learns that Viggo has become a popular movie star. This is not only highly unexpected, it indicates something is wrong and that Viggo is attempting to contact Svala before their assignments are carried out, an action which is strictly forbidden.

Svala seeks him out, but not without breaking a few rules of her own, and learning that things are not always as they seem.

My Thoughts

      I think the only truly appropriate way to describe saga Berg's first novella is, short and sweet. The first installment in the Nordic Fairies series of novellas is certainly intriguing. It gives you just enough of glimpse into what the rest of the series holds that you want to keep reading; it nearly drove me mad with curiosity when it ended just when I was getting into the story. The hint of romance between Viggo and Svala, as well as the original plot offered a taste of what I am hoping will develop to be a truly satisfying read. Overall I simply can't wait to see if Berg follows through after reading such a promising start!

Click Below to Read it Yourself!

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The Gathering

Rating: 3/5

Title: The Gathering

Series: Book one of Darkness Rising

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Page Count (hardcover): 359

Official Book Description:

     Maya lives in a small medical-research town on Vancouver Island. How small? You can’t find it on the map. It has less than two-hundred people, and her school has only sixty-eight students–for every grade from kindergarten to twelve.

      Now, strange things are happening in this claustrophobic town, and Maya’s determined to get to the bottom of them. First, the captain of the swim team drowns mysteriously in the middle of a calm lake. A year later, mountain lions start appearing around Maya’s home, and they won’t go away. Her best friend, Daniel, starts experiencing “bad vibes” about certain people and things. It does’t help that the new bad boy in town, Rafe, has a dangerous secret…and he’s interested in one special part of Maya’s anatomy: Her paw-print birthmark

My Thoughts:

      After hearing wonderful things about #1 New York Times Best Selling author Kelley Armstrong I decided that I simply had to find out for myself what all the buzz was about. So, when I noticed The Gathering while perusing the YA section of the library I decided to check it out. Perhaps I've just been reading too many classics lately but in my opinion The Gathering just wasn't that amazing. Now that's not to say that I won't read the rest of this series, or that I won't read any of her other books, but what's for sure is that Kelley Armstrong's The Gathering just didn't strike a chord within me.

     I think one of my main problems in The Gathering arose from a lack of connection to the characters. Yes, Armstrong did have decent character development and certainly went into great depth when describing the background history of Rafe (the love interest), but I just didn't form enough of a deep connection with Maya (the protagonist) to really understand her point of view. What I believe truly hindered my connection with Maya was the lack of foreshadowing to who she was. Though Armstrong did include a bit of foreshadowing, she simply threw in what would have been very intriguing clues, after she revealed what Maya was, which prevented the development of a truly intriguing mystery of her identity.

     I applaud Armstrong for creating a world in Darkness Rising that is completely removed from all of the vampire and werewolf content that most YA books are based upon today. I found it rather refreshing not to have to hear all about another girl's discovery of vampires, and was pleasantly surprised to discover the book was based upon Aboriginal Mythology (not sure if mythology is the correct term but you see where I'm going). And I absolutely loved the setting of the novel, which was located in a small, remote town in the Bristish Columbia's Canadian wilderness.

    Despite the fact that I'm not head over heels in love with The Gathering, I am looking forward to following the rest of the series. I'm curious to see what happens to Maya as her journey continues and whether or not Amrstrong's writing style improves! 

      

If you want to check out The Gathering for yourself; click on the link below!   

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Versatile Blog Award

 

I have to say there is nothing quite as special as recieving a blog award and I'd like to thank Amy's Book-et List and Endless Days of Literary Ecstasy for nominating me  me for the Versatile Blogger Award!!!

Here are the Rules:

1. Nominate 15 fellow bloggers who are relatively new to blogging.
2. Let the nominated bloggers know that they have been nominated for this award.
3. Share 7 random facts about yourself.
4. Thank the blogger who has nominated you.
5. Add the Versatile Blogger Award picture to your post.

Seven Random Facts About Me:

1. I love watching videos and vlogs on youtube.
2. I just painted my nails less than two hours ago.
3. I'd like to say my favourite colour is baby blue but I love lavender just as much!
4. Jane Eyre is one of my all-time favouritre books!
5. The Sparrow is my favourite bird.
6. I don't really like short-stories that much.
7. I have two dogs.

Blogs I'm Nominating for the Versatile Bogger Award

1.  Cozy Writer's Den
2. A Book A Week
3. A Writer's Rest Stop
4. Between the Bind
5. Blog That Book Out
6. Love YA Books
7. Bound 2 Astound
8. Cafe Reads
9. Cosmetics Crush
10. Reflections of a Book Worm
11. Words About Words
12. Joie de Lire
13. Characterized
14. Living, Loving and Writing
15. Posession of Books

Life is a Review

Rating: 3/5

Title: Life is a Review- Observations and Collections of My Passages through the Times

Author: Deborah L. Parker

Page Count: 108 pages

Official Amazon Summary:

Life Stages, Transitions, Lessons. From our first steps or words, to relationships, education and careers, there are assigned instructors who take note of our progress in these events. Yet eventually, there’s a time for us to personally examine what we’ve learned, and how we gained our perspectives. In Life is a Review, Parker does this type of reflection. Gleaning lessons from her varied life stages such as watching the careful way in which her grandfather grew collard greens in her youth, to the emotions of seeing a fellow soldier and friend off to war for the first time, Parker vividly brings readers to her experiences. Join her as she warps time through this compilation of articles, essays, blogs, poems, and speeches from the past 25 years. And in assessing her own journey, she shares, “like many of us, I’ve passed some exams and flunked others; educationally as well as experientially, as I also wondered and wandered. Then Parker looks at the final review of her loved ones, those who’ve passed in human finality, while leaving enduring teachings for her life’s purpose.

My Thoughts:

        To be honest I do not usually read memoirs that often, so when I was requested by the author to review Life is a Review, I was hesitant at first. However after thinking it over, I decided that it couldn't hurt to step outside of my literary comfort zone once in a while. I guess I sort of expected that all memoirs followed the cookie-cutter pattern of a first person narrative that smoothly, and chronologically followed the author's perception of their life. As I started reading Life is a Review I quickly realized this was not to be the case, just as the summary had said Life is a Review contained mostly "articles, essays, blogs, poems, and speeches" with the occasional interlude of first person narrated self reflection.

       Stepping outside the box is not necessarily a bad thing and in the case of Life is a Review, Parker's decision to deviate from the cookie cutter memoir added some very postive aspects to the story. I enjoyed reading many of the speeches, and life guidelines that were included in the collection, they were well written and I felt at times as if Parker herself was reading them to me. I must say however that I did find the continuity of the book wanting, I felt that the transitions between the different articles, blog posts, and speeches were a bit bumpy, which in my opinion made it harder to stay focused on the book's message. But despite this and the occasional spelling mistake, something nearly unavoidable when self-publishing, I thought it was presentable.

     Though I recieved the book for free in exchange for a review, I feel that I should note that in my opinion the kindle price of $6.99 for this book is too expensive, as I have noticed many ebooks of similar length sell for $0.99-$4.99. What do you (guys) think is the best price for an ebook around 100-110 pages in length?

If you want to check out this book follow the links below:
Goodreads
Amazon/Kindle

Clockwork Angel

 Rating: 4/5 

Author: Cassandra Clare

Official Goodreads Synopsis:

    When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

     Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own....

My Thoughts:

    The best way to describe reading Clockwork Angel is, like having a scoop of your favourite icecream. Clockwork Angel is full of delicious romances and chalk full of heart racing, page-turning action scenes. I simply couldn't put it down and found myself rushing back to it the moment I walked away. I wasn't sure that Clare could manage to replicate the magic she created in the Mortal Instruments series but after reading Clockwork Angel I can say that not only has Clare replicated the magic of her previous series but in my opinion with the setting in this, the Infernal Devices series, she manages to top it! Now my main problem is that I can't wait to read Clockwork Prince to see how the unpredictable romance between Tessa and Will continues!!!!

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Clockwork Angel (Amazon Print)

Clockwork Angel (Amazon Kindle)

Clockwork Prince; the next book in this thrilling series:

Clockwork Prince (Amazon Print)

Clockwork Prince (Amazon Kindle)

Seductive Secrets

Rating: 4/5

Author: Colleen Connally

Official Smashwords Plot Description:

     Someone wants Alyce Hythe dead… Shunned from London society for being the daughter of England’s most notorious spy, Alyce Hythe desires only to clear her father’s name. Long has Lord Julian Casvelyn lived with guilt brought on when his brother was murdered by England’s most infamous traitor. Thrown together by fate, can the two find love to free them both?

My Thoughts:

     Its been a while since I've settled into a historical romance this good. Between the gripping mystery surrounding the scandal of Alyce Hythe's name and her passionate romance with Julian Casvelyn, Seductive Secrets had me hooked. Unpredictable catastrophe and suspicion followed Alyce throughout the novel, at every new page there seemed to be a new development to the scandal surrounding her and I absolutely loved it! Unlike so many other novels I was refreshed by the fact that Seductive Secrets was not predictable; I had no idea where the story was going to go next, every clue to the mystery was a surprise! As to the romance surrounding Alice Hythe and Julian Casvelyn... well lets just sa,y it was very steamy... in a good way. Overall I would definitley recommend Seductive Secrets to anyone who likes a novel where romance and scandalous mystery have a starring role.
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