ReadingOnBecauseIWantTo

The Sisters Grimm: Tales From the Hood by Michael Buckley

Word of advice: if you don’t like it in the beginning, just keep going. It gets better (except for the trial scenes. Those were awful).

Review:

 Wow. What an awful begging! Sabrina starts going through puberty and suddenly can’t handle being called “dog face” anymore. Then when Granny  Relda, Daphne, Sabrina, etc. go to Robin Hood’s law practice, Sabrina develops an instant crush. Made me want to smack the book. And the author. And the editor. You get the idea.

Then Daphne tried to emulate Sabrina. See above.

It was just annoying. I don’t mind it when a character changes gradually, but when it’s all of a sudden and obnoxious like this, just no.

The only other major complaint I have is the trial scenes.  They were rushed and stupid. Yes, I get that the judge was crazy and thus the trial was disorderly. But there is a fine line between insane and inane. The first couple of trial scenes were the later. The last two were ok.

The whole Goldilocks ordeal was probably only thrown into this book to make it longer, but it was tons of fun. I loved the idea of the traveling chest thing. Reminded me a bit of the vanishing cabinets from Harry Potter.

Bluebeard was just plain creepy. I was surprised by the allusions to his being a predator. I guess that most of it would go over a younger child’s head but it still surprised me a little.

The alleyway scene was also a huge surprise to me. I did not expect Charming to kill Bluebeard.

The art was mediocre. All the girls looked the same, except for Relda. And that’s only because she’s old.

In the last update I got the total page number wrong...oops. Great read so far.  I hear that the author will be in New York later this month.

Book adaptations are popular and eagerly present in theaters and on the big screens, including those in Hollywood. Last year 11 movies based on or inspired by books were nominated to the Academy Awards. This year 13 movies based on literature received Oscar nominations. We know the winners! Let's see which books to grab before watching, and if you missed last year winners, we'll remind those too.

12 Years a Slave - Solomon Northup 

The Fish Place: Northup’s brief narrative of his years of slavery, a result of being sold even though he was born free, is compelling not so much for his writing style, but because he doesn’t hold back, at least not in the ways that one would think... read more

AmySea: I read this book last year, and it is without a doubt one of the best, most moving books I have ever read, and absolutely the best book that I have ever read about slavery in the United States.  I remember crying on the bus as I read parts of this book... read more

 The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald 

Lisa (Harmony): I think the biggest surprise about The Great Gatsby was what a pleasure it was to read; not what you expect of the "great" classics you are happy to not be required to read with your school days finished. It's fast paced, not long for a novel, with completely natural dialogue. The prose is gorgeous and memorable and leaves you with an indelible impression of the Jazz Age... read more

silverneurotic: Like many others, I read (or actually, reread) this novel in anticipation for the movie version that was released a month or so ago. Sadly I did not get an opportunity to see the movie but I was extremely glad for the opportunity to rediscover this novel... read more

The Snow Queen - Hans Christian Andersen 

Degrees of Affection...: This is an epic journey to save a loved one. It is full of magic, Faith, myth, friend, foe, and trust. It is the story of two children growing up but not growing apart. The tale is simple, yet beautiful and interesting to read... read more

 Have a glimpse into all 13 Oscar nominees which were based on reads in 2014:

And if you missed last year gala, we remind you 2013 winners: 

 Argo: How the CIA and Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History - Antonio Mendez, Matt Baglio

rameau's ramblings: I decided to write a comparative review right after I had finished reading the book, but then I saw the film and promptly lost the will to live. Hollywood did something right thirty years ago and then it ruined it. The book, however, kept me up reading late into the night... read more

Thewanderingjew: Mendez, a mild mannered and rather ordinary looking man, was a courageous and dedicated secret agent, not in the manner of James Bond, but in the manner of an operative who had to fade into the crowd so as not to be noticed, an operative dedicated and loyal to his country... read more

 Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln - Doris Kearns Goodwin 

Denise: This was a great biography of not only Abraham Lincoln but also of the men that made up his cabinet. Goodwin shows readers not only of the great accomplishments of Abraham Lincoln but also the men and events that helped shape his decisions. I really enjoyed reading this book; it was very informative without being too dry... read more

Book Thoughts: This is another one of my favorite history books. This book takes a look at Abraham Lincoln and his working and personal relationships with Edward Bates, William Seward, Salmon Chase, and Edwin Stanton. It follows each of their stories from childhood through the conclusion of the Civil War and assassination of the President. This book is extremely well written and flows as if it is a novel... read more

  The Silver Linings Playbook - Matthew Quick 

There's more to life than reading, but it's a good place to start 

Gotta say I loved it. For me, not an easy, fun and light hearted read as some reviewers have stated .... but an emotional and blackly comic journey as Pat searches for himself and the truth. Very touching... read more

CarrieJ: I liked how Pat view his life as a movie and most of the book take place during his apart time. He's working on bettering himself so he could have his silver lining. I think that is what kept me reading I wanted to see if Pat got his silver lining... read more

 Life of Pi - Yann Martel 

Sharon E. Cathcart: This is a fascinating philosophical look at the meaning of family, for a wide variety of reasons that I cannot reveal without delivering spoilers. It's also a story of courage and endurance, and of self-awareness... read more

Ali's Reading Mission: This story was pretty good it was a bit slow but it had some great moments in it. It had a lot of informal things, some intense moments, some weird, some right out disgusting, and some sad moments too... read more  

Pretty good.

Eh. Not bad but I did have a quibble or two with Nakaba and I just wanted to stab Ceaser and his entire family. What jerks.

When it's not about reading, it's about writing. Discover author's know-how in pics, quotes and tips. Click image or link below to go to blog post.

On writing process:

 via Crickhollow Books - Reading Ideas from an Indie Perspective

via Derrolyn Anderson

Writer's woes - oh, yeah via Olga Godim

A little while back on BookLikes, I promised to do something of a series of posts on my writing process and methods which I use to influence/enhance that process as I move along.  This series is going to be equal parts reflection on my part and instruction, but I'll try to break it up into digestible sections so if there's a section you guys want to skip to or is more relevant to you, you can do so.  But if you read it in any capacity, I salute you. - via Rose's Jumping Into Writing #1: Putting the Pen to the Page

Writing tips:

#1 Take a pencil to write with on aeroplanes. Pens leak. But if the pencil breaks, you can’t sharpen it on the plane, because you can’t take knives with you. Therefore: take two pencils. Read Margaret Atwood’s Ten Rules for Writing Fiction via A Libra's Libros 

via HUNGER FOR KNOWLEDGE

Guidelines for writers via POCKET FULL OF MERMAIDS

On Writing via Derrolyn Anderson

Writer's fears:

Book to Screen via Themis-Athena's Garden of Books

Short Story via Dilettante

Non-writing writer via Dilettante

On writer's life:

 via Bookloving writer

 How to survive relationship with a writer via Bookloving author and publisher

 via HUNGER FOR KNOWLEDGE

good advice via Derrolyn Anderson

via Rayne Hall, Fantasy and Horror Author

"Show me your shelf and I'll tell you who you are". We've prepared a special place for your Shelf Settings to make your book space better organized. Your virtual bookshelf has just received new page with set up options. We have big plans for shelf options (old and new) and this is the first step.

The entrance to new shelf settings spot is on your Shelf Page, just click settings icon next to your book count. 

New bookshelf settings page presents all possible bookshelf options. 

1. You can add new and remove thematic shelves. 

2. You can re-name existing thematic shelves.

3. You can decide which book sort option should be default: title, author, ratings, read date, add date. 

4. You can choose shelf sorting: alphabetical or manual. If you have chosen manual sorting, you can choose position for each thematic bookshelf - type position numbers or drag shelves. The position options are available only when you select manual sorting. 

5. You can create new statuses such as Re-read, DNF. They will appear next to Read, Planning to read, Currently reading on your Shelf Page. 

6. You can change thematic shelf into status and vice-versa. 

Remember to save each change to make shelf updates. 

Updates

If you wish to change your blog design take part in Parajunkee's BookLikes Blog Design Giveaway and win custom design for your page.

Or choose new free template called Bundled designed by Baelkina from UNGH... ARRR... BOOKS! Read more about the theme and possible options of customization here: BUNDLED (NEW BOOKLIKES THEME). 

Template is available in BookLikes Theme Store (Settings/Blog -> Customize -> Themes).

pic source: via

Unbreakable by Kami Garcia

The first half was meh. The beginning of the second half was a little better. And then it turned disappointing.

Yeah, Unbreakable could have used some more work but it wasn’t the worst book to have ever been published.

On as scale of 1 to 10, I’d rate Kennedy (The main character) about a 4. She messes up and doesn’t even try for the first half of the book and then once she starts trying things get a little better..

And when she decides to try, dang. She can be pretty cool.

Then she gets stuck in a wall and erases all progress.

And her fear of the dark-it worked the first time but then it was used over…and over… and over…to no effect. It didn’t do anything for Kennedy (Except make me hate her more) or the plot.

Same thing with all those flashbacks. A couple for effect  scattered throughout, provided they reveal something relevant to the plot, are fine. But when there are a bunch of pointless flashbacks that only reveal everyday things about Kennedy (first time she ate Luck Charms for example) are completely pointless.

Lukas Lockhart: 5 ½

He’s nice but lacks a real personality. Think Dylan from Maximum Ride, without the sarcasm.

Personally, I think Kennedy should have chosen him. He seems more responsible. That and I’m tired of the whole bad boy fad. Speaking of bad boys…

…Jared Lockhart: ½

A run off the mill “bad boy” who  secretly “cares”. Never felt any chemistry between him and Kennedy even though she’s always talking about him in one way or another.

And did I mention he’s a fing idiot? There is a reason the Legion works the way it does. And there should have been a rule against two members living together. ‘cause then Jared wouldn’t have had the opportunity to get everyone killed.

And Kennedy forgave him!? What the f? if someone killed my mom and wanted to make out with me, I knee them in the privates and tell them that if they ever came near me again, I’d report him to  the police.

But I guess since its fiction, Ms. Garcia thinks she can bend the basic rules of logic and common sense. *face palms*

Alara: 9 ½

No nonsense attitude + takes risks on the battlefield+ decodes journals+ hates pink=Favorite Character. Plus she has a cool name.

Priest: 6

Not really much to say about him other than he makes cool weapons and never stops listening to music.  So I don’t know why I like him so much...or at least more than the other characters. Probably because he never really does anything to annoy me.

The actual plot was decent. The first part was a little too much like City of Bones for my liking. Combined with the summary, it’s easily can easily be perceived as a rip off. There have also been accusations of being a Supernatural rip off but I haven’t watched the show so I have nothing to say on that front.

And the fight scene between Lukas and Jared was just stupid. You’re seriously going to fight now? In front of her? I’m not saying Kennedy can’t handle seeing a fight, I saying that it makes them both look like the undeserving jerks they are. And it’s a shame because I originally shipped Kennedy and Lukas.

I was actually fairly delighted when Jared announced he was leaving. Then I realized he’d come back and save the day after Kennedy moaned extensively about him. Then it turned out he wasn’t leaving…>:(

And then when they’re about to enter the prison-great scene, very creepy-Kennedy ruins it with her hormones. Grrrrrrr…

The love triangle was nonexistent. This would usually please me greatly, but there was clearly supposed to be one. So epic fail.

Probably going to read the sequel. It can’t be much worse than the this one.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tales of the Slayer Volume 3

“Dark of the Moon” by Yvonne Navarro

Interesting but ultimately bored me. Dark of the Moon frustrated me at times with her lack of vampire lore knowledge even though it was never her fault-she’s the first Slayer. Aside from that there just wasn’t much excitement in the story. She skulked around killing vampires and never seemed to really react in a way that conveyed emotion to me. 2.5/5

“Ch’ing Shih” by Mel Odom

By far my favorite story in the collection and the only one narrated in first person, which made it that much more memorable.  Xiaoqin was a fun, interesting character and I didn’t want her story to end.

4.5/5

“The Voodoo Lounge” by Christopher Golden

Another great story, though it did revert back to third person. I really liked Eleanor and thought that the idea of a club that allowed mortals to mingle with demons very intriguing. It was also a breath of fresh air to meet some demons that seemed to have a sense of humanity (though they probably wouldn’t call it that) and a Slayer who only wanted to hunt demons and vampires that caused trouble. The mystery element of the story was done perfectly. The end left me a bit confused but overall, one of the better stories out of all the collections.

4.5/5

“The Code of the Samurai” by Nancy Holder

Bored. So. Thoroughly. Bored. Writing was terrible and I couldn’t stand India (why was she named India again?) and after reading the story Abomination in the previous volume, I just wanted to slap India for having a crush on her Watcher. They should have given her someone old or at least older.

I found Asano annoyingly pesky. And I wanted to slap him too for sending out an SOS. If there is a Vampire Slayer out there, why wouldn’t you consider the possibility that there could be vampires out there too? Just ugh.

And there was this one line about how India wanted to talk to Kit about her feelings but she decided against it because he was a guy and didn’t care.

If I’m not mistaken, that’s an outdated stereotype. I rarely talk about my feelings and my guy friend is more emotional that I am. And isn’t Buffy supposed to be a feminist icon or something? So join the 21^st century and start writing again once you’ve learned your lesson Ms. Holder.

On page 285 India comments on Asano’s raiding party that some of the girls look frail and wouldn’t be able to do hand to hand combat with the vampires.

Really? I mean come on, why would they be fighting vampires if they couldn't fight?

Then on page 287 India is all “Asano picked up the weapons bag that I’m perfectly capable of carrying myself and Kit might be jealous!” just…no. *face palms*

The Slayer’s job is to kill Vampires and other demons. Again, she should have been given an older Watcher.

And then some girl started crying and ran off when the fighting started. Is it just me or is Ms. Holder only making India so brave and strong because she has to?

The ending surprised me a bit but it felt unrealistic. The concubine was saying how the vampire Asano had no humanity left, so why would  any of the other vampires still follow the samurai traditions?

1/5

General:

Very poor capitalization.

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

A Brief History of Dystopian Endings:

Mockingjay: depressing.

Allegiant: Wait what no just no *extreme sobbing*

Champion: You call that an ending?

And now the latest on the list…IGNITE ME

Out of all the dystopian endings, Ignite Me is the best.  The plot was solid and the character development was stunning.

I really enjoyed seeing Juliette fully embrace herself and her power. I noticed that there were absolutely no strike thoughts throughout the book. A lot of people feel uncomfortable with themselves and I think seeing Juliette finally accepting herself sends a positive message to readers.

Another great part of the book was when Juliette regrouped with Adam, Kenji, and the rest of Omega Point. I loved how she took charge, ready to keep on fighting. And this will see really strange, but I enjoyed the fight between Juliette and Adam. I used to be Team Adam in Shatter Me, but after Destroy Me, and Unravel Me, I switched to Team Warner.

My friend had made a convincing argument about Adam vs Warner

I don’t remember it word for word but it was something along the lines of this:

Adam tries to hold Juliette back and treats her like a child. Warner challenges her and she challenges him, allowing them to grow as people.

I was so thankful that Tahereh brought this to light in Ignite Me. because Juliette was right. What they had wasn’t love-they were just clinging to each other (quite literally) because they had no one else.

And Kenji was just hilarious. So. Funny.  

And Jame’s conversation with Warner about what theoretically means? Perfect. It had me in stitches.

Usually in dystopias, the endings involve some epic war. Not the case here. It was a quick assassination and then it was over. If this were another dystopian, I’d feel cheated and really ticked off. But these books were never really about the world as much as they were about Juliette’s journey as a person.

And honestly? I think a big epic war would have been a repeat of last time.  

So thank you Tahereh Mafi, your books are amazing.

What's the better way of celebrating book love than reading books about books? We've prepared 13 fiction and nonfiction titles which will make your connection with books even stronger. And now let's meet other bibliophiles.

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak 

Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. 

One of my new favorites

This is a superb book filled with heart, tragedy, and even a lot of moments of genuine humor. It's hard to think how a story about the Holocaust narrated by Death can work, but by golly it does. 

"So ugly and so glorious, so damning and brilliant."

I was writing a long, deep review, but f... it. Markus Zusak is just better at it than me. Brought to you by Death itself, a sassy little shit that made me cry in front of people.  

The Book Thief

I feel very strongly that a good review should praise a book for its strengths and critique it for its flaws. But when I love a book as much as I loved this one, it's hard for me to think of any flaws.

Fahrenheit 451- Ray Bradbury

The hauntingly prophetic classic novel set in a not-too-distant future where books are burned by a special task force of firemen. 

Fahrenheit 451

I loved Fahrenheit 451 because it was a book about burning books that was far more than a book about burning books. F451 is a book about the true cost of the loss of culture. 

Fahrenheit 451: Or why we all need to slow down and read more

Reading it now, as an adult in a media saturated time of history, is a kick in the ass I would never have gotten as a teenager. 

 Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore - Robin Sloan 

A gleeful and exhilarating tale of global conspiracy, complex code-breaking, high-tech data visualization, young love, rollicking adventure, and the secret to eternal life—mostly set in a hole-in-the-wall San Francisco bookstore.

Mini Review: Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore 

The geekery is over the top and you just enjoy where this story takes you. I love that so much of this story revolves around the association of a fantasy dragon trilogy. 

#CBR Book 154. Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore

As someone who loves books, a book about a mysterious book store and a mystery surrounding reading sounded pretty enticing.

Review | Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, Robin Sloan | 5 Stars

Is this book perfect? No. Is it my favorite book I've read this year? Yes.

The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafón 

Hidden in the heart of the old city of Barcelona is the 'cemetery of lost books', a labyrinthine library of obscure and forgotten titles that have long gone out of print.

Review: The Shadow of the Wind

A novel about books is always a treat for readers, at least for those of us who have such a passion for books.  I’m terribly jealous of Daniel and his father who own a bookshop because they are allowed to spend all day dealing with books.  

A Review of The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

The author writes in a lyrical prose that is exquisite and many times I found myself re-reading passages I liked just to meditate a while longer on those said passages.

 Inkheart (Inkheart Trilogy) - Cornelia Funke

Meggie loves books. So does her father, Mo, a bookbinder, although he has never read aloud to her since her mother mysteriously disappeared.

Review Inkheart

The idea for this book is amazing; it's an idea that makes you wonder why no one wrote it years ago. Every reader would love the chance to meet their favorite characters in person, wouldn't they? 

Review - Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

The concept is a fascinating one. The ability to read characters and things out from the pages of a book. As great as that sounds, the reality of it is more of a curse than a gift as the lead characters find out.

 The Man Who Loved Books Too Much - Allison Hoover Bartlett 

Rare-book theft is even more widespread than fine-art theft. Most thieves, of course, steal for profit. John Charles Gilkey steals purely for the love of books.

Review: The Man Who Loved Books Too Much

I have some respect for those book thieves that steal because they have a love of rare books. 

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much

I liked reading this, though it's not really about a man who loves books too much, but rather is about The Man Who Couldn't or Wouldn't Stop Stealing Something. 

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much

I mean how can you love books too much?! Well apparently you can and John Gilkey was tremendously good at it.I've always wanted to collect books thanks to Beauty and the Beast, and this was right up my alley.

 Sixpence House: Lost in A Town Of Books - Paul Collins 

Paul Collins and his family abandoned the hills of San Francisco to move to the Welsh countryside-to move, in fact, to the village of Hay-on-Wye, the "Town of Books" that boasts fifteen hundred inhabitants-and forty bookstores.

Lost in a Town of Books

The chapter titles are very amusing in and of themselves, and the quotes from antiquarian books and magazines remarkably applicable to modern life. A very entertaining read for a bibliophile. 

Sixpence House

As much as I am a bookaholic, I am glad I do not live in Hay-on-Wye as I believe that I would have no money left for food!

 A Passion for Books

A Passion for Books is a collection of sixty classic and contemporary essays, stories, lists, poems, quotations, and cartoons on the joys of reading, appreciating, and collecting books.

A Passion for Books

Another piece I really enjoyed was Umberto Eco's examination of the large personal library, something he most definitely possesses. It's suggested reading for anyone who has ever had a non-bibliophile friend survey your overstuffed shelves and ask "Have you read all of these books?"

 Used and Rare: Travels in the Book World - Lawrence Goldstone

When Nancy Goldstone bought a vintage copy of "War and Peace" to win a birthday bet with co-author Larry, the couple began their journey into the world of book collecting, meeting a hilarious cast of eccentrics along the way.

Used and Rare

The Goldstones are clearly a literate couple who delight in the content of the books as well as the joy of owning a first edition “first state,” unlike the people who purchase books by the yard.

 Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader - Anne Fadiman 

For Fadiman, as for many passionate readers, the books she loves have become chapters in her own life story.

Ex Libris

They read everything and anything. You have boxes of books on shelves and in corners that really need to be sorted and either kept or given away for someone else to read. 

Confessions of a Common Reader

As enjoyable as this little read was, I have to say that I disagree with Fadiman in some ways: I don't think readers are so clear-cut in the way they love books. 

Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader

Each essay has a different topic, but each touch upon her life and how books have impacted it. There are written with great humor and language.

 Phantoms on the Bookshelves - Jacques Bonnet 

This enthralling study on the art of living with books considers how our personal libraries reveal our true natures: far more than merely crowded shelves, they are living labyrinths of our innermost feelings.

Phantoms on the Bookshelves

Jacques Bonnet is a French art historian with a collection of over 40,000 books. In this brief book he discusses the unique challenges that possessing so many books creates and the passions that drive a serious bibliophile.

Phantoms on the Bookshelves

For me this book is a little treasure that I will proudly add to my personal library (in the non-fiction section, alphabetically under author’s name to be precise).

 A History of Reading - Alberto Manguel 

At one magical instant in your early childhood, the page of a book—that string of confused, alien ciphers—shivered into meaning. Words spoke to you, gave up their secrets; at that moment, whole universes opened. You became, irrevocably, a reader.

A History of Reading

Overall though, there were plenty of interesting topics covered, from the origins of reading and writing, reading aloud, banned books and even the history of eyeglasses and rise of anti-intellectualism.

 The Whole Five Feet - Christopher Beha 

Beha’s chronicle is a smart, big-hearted, and inspirational mix of memoir and intellectual excursion—and a powerful testament to what great books can teach us about how to live our own lives.

The Whole Five Feet

Christopher Beha was in his early 20's, living with his parents and just entering his 5th year of remission from cancer when he decided to tackle a task he had kept in the back of his mind for some time: read through the entire Five Foot Shelf in one year and write a book about it.

We'd love to hear your bibliophilic stories :)

pic source: via

Building or moving your shelves can be tricky, especially if your collection is quite big. But we have the solution, everything is possible on virtual bookshelf. From now on your can easily organize and move your shelves on BookLikes.  

You can move thematic shelves and put them in your own order, e.g. alphabetic, by book count, literary genres, authors, years, challenges...

Here's how: when you hover over the shelf name you'll see black arrows on the left. Click, hold and drag the shelf up or down to the desirable position. 

New shelves will be added on the top of your thematic shelves list, then you can change their position. 

So what are your shelf arrangement ideas? 

Tips

To find friends on BookLikes, connect your social media in Settings and use find friends option is Friend's Tab. You can also invite your friends - just paste friend's e-mail address in invite box and click Invite. You have 10 invitations but if you need more, just let us know :)

pic source: via

It's really a shame that the trailer was leaked. The original release day wasn't THAT far away and seeing it for the first time on Valentine's Day would have just bee adorable, (not to mention it would have been the only good thing about that day for me).

It's a shame that it was released today because why bother waiting now? Probably about half the world saw it. I can only imagine the disappointment that the movie people, and possibly John Green, felt.

So those of you who didn't watch the leaked trailer, good job.

Those of you who did, just don't do it again.

YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW ACURATE THIS IS

If you love books and movies, we've got something for you. This year will bring over 30 book adaptations! But remember: Don't judge a book by its movie. Read first. We've prepared book to movie calendar for those who love reading and watching. Enjoy!

Lone Survivor - Movie release date: January 10

Sherri Loves to Read: I feel 

honored having read this book. And I feel even more honored to know there are men out there in this world who will fight for our country with this level of guts, determination and love of country.

Read more: Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10

A Most Wanted Man - Movie release date: January 19

Anton Corbijn's adaptation of John Le Carre's psychological novel.

Chechen Muslim illegally immigrates to Hamburg, where he gets caught up in the international war on terror.

Movie release date: January 17

Based on character created by Tom Clancy. Movie title: Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

Patricia Reding, Author: I do enjoy a book that will take me away for a good while! In this case, the 800+ pages kept me occupied for a couple of days and each time I put it down, I looked forward to going back for more. What fun! Read more about Clancy's book: A Spy Thriller and Horror Story Wrapped up in One

White Bird in a Blizzard - Movie release date: January 20

White Bird in a Blizzard is an upcoming French thriller co-produced, written and directed by Gregg Araki.

A young woman's life is thrown into chaos when her mother disappears.

White Bird in a Blizzard evokes works of Kathryn Harrison and Joyce Carol Oates - and confirms Kasischke's arrival as a major literary talent.

I, Frankenstein Genesis - Movie release date: January 24

Do you know Frankenstein story?

Her Fine Eyes: The modern horror genre has evolved a bit more in paying attention to world building, and in telling the story via a narrative that imparts some of the excitement of the tale. But Shelley's foray is original and thought-provoking, even two hundred years later.

Read more on Frankenstein.

Labor Day - Movie release date: January 31

Kinga's Books: There are a few reasons why I listened to this book. 

1) It’s called ‘Labor Day’ and I listened to it on the Labor Day. This one is actually more of a coincidence than an actual reason but let’s put it there anyway.
2) It takes place in New Hampshire in early September, which is when I arrived in New Hampshire twelve years ago to spend a year there. This is the nostalgia reason.
3) I suppose I’ll come clean and say it: the audiobook is read by Wilson Bethel who looks like this...

Read more: Joyce Maynard - Labor Day

The Monuments Men - Movie release date: February 7

The Fish Place: What is it about art? Everyone has different tastes, but some art is just, well mind blowing isn't the word. We all share that gut reaction, evn if the pieces of art that evoke them are different from person to person.War has been fought for art.

Read more: The Monuments Men.

Vampire Academy - Movie release date: February 14

Ronyell (a.k.a Rabbitearsblog):

Wow and double wow, this book was a brilliant introduction to the “Vampire Academy” series and after I had read this book, I really wanted to read more about these awesome characters! Full of drama, mystery, action and hot romance, “Vampire Academy” is definitely one novel that will take the paranormal world by storm!

Read more: Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1) by Richelle Mead

Winter's Tale - Movie release date: February 14

LAUREN B. DAVIS: One of those rare books I read over and over. Helprin is a master of magical realism. Haunting, transporting, a magical machine. Splendid prose, a flying horse, the Short Tails roaming the rafters of Grand Central Station, a tubercular heiress on a rooftop, and Peter Lake -- master mechanic and second-story man of New York's Belle Epoque.

Read more: Winter's Tale.

Endless Love - Movie release date: February 14

Kaethe: I did go on to read the book which is a very compelling story of an obsessed guy, seriously, disturbingly obsessed. It is way cooler than the Brooke Shields film might suggest.Lessons learned: good books are often made into mediocre films, and one should never laugh at someone else's "good book", especially if one hasn't read it yet.

Read more: Endless Love.

 Therese Raquin - Movie release date February 21

Based on Thérèse Raquin - Émile Zola/ Movie title: In Secret

Books for Young Humans: Way back in the late 20th century when I was a teenager and the genre fiction 'industry,' with its absurdly blood-soaked TV tie ins hadn't been invented, I (and many others my age) slumped on the sofa with the novels of  DH Lawrence - yes, really- with EM Forster, Emile Zola and of course, a bit of Shakespeare. This is what was available and if you had parents who were not great readers, this was rebellion.

Read more: Returning to classics would be the greatest teen rebellion.

A Long Way Down - Movie release date: March 7 (U.K.)

TCWriter: Long Way Down is an odd book, but as is typical of Hornby's work, it's engrossing and brilliantly written. It begins on the roof of a building, where four people - intent on committing suicide by throwing themselves off - have run into each other.

Read more: A Long Way Down

Divergent - Movie release date: March 21

me reading books: This book was awesome and great fun to read. I love a writer that can be ruthless with their own creation. In the YA section I have only come across two so far – Rowling, J.K. and Suzanne Collins. Veronica Roth is now number three on that list. She created an interesting environment and put a story filled with action mystery and – yes – love into it

Read more: Veronica Roth - Divergent

Heaven in for Rental - Movie release date: April 16

Trish: I needed this book at this time in my life. Extremely uplifting to me. This is a story of a young boy who experienced a trip to heaven during an emergency surgery. It describes the struggle his family went through and how they made it through many hardships.

Read more: Heaven is for Real.

 The Fault on Our Stars - Movie release date: June 6

Pavlina readmore-sleepless: Words cannot express how fantastic this book is!! 

It's one of these books which have to be experienced to be properly understood... This book left me thinking and thinking... I cried like it was personal experience...

Read more: The Fault in Our Stars 

Movie release date: June 6

Based on All You Need Is Kill - Hiroshi Sakurazaka / Movie title Edge of Tomorrow 

Gypsy Librarian on Books: This was interesting and different. The protagonist is a soldier who fights alien invaders with a suit of armor known as a "jacket." His problem is that he keeps dying and then coming back to battle again. And then he meets the supersoldier known as the Full Metal Bitch.

Read more: All You Need Is Kill

Movie release date: June 13

Sequel of Hiccup: How to Train Your Dragon - Cressida Cowell / Movie title: How to trail your dragon 2

A Lazy Bookluver: I have to admit that after seeing the movie, I wanted to read this book. Cressida Crowell writes a cute and fun story about Hiccup and his dragon Toothless. The language is written in a way that kids at a young age will enjoy it even if it isn’t at their reading level.

Read more: How To Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

Wild - Movie release date not set: 2014, in post-production
 

meganbaxter: Cheryl Strayed loses her mother at 22, is divorced by 26, and lost. She decides, with little prep and more will than planning, to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. And she does. I admired this book for refusing to make neat little narrative bows out of her life and experience.

Read more: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

Serena - Movie release date not set: 2014

Mel's Reviews: I want to start out by saying this is an excellent story, and worth reading. I loved it. I really don’t want to say too much about it, because if I do, I may ruin the book for people.

Read more: Serena

Before I Go To Sleep - Release Date not set: 2014

Rayne Hall, Fantasy and Horror Author: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although the pace is slow and not much happens, the suspense is high, and I always had to read on to find out more.

Read more: Before I Go to Sleep

Which movies based on books can't you wait to see?

Part two to be released soon :)

Attack on Titan

Very interesting premise and highly enjoyable.

I have read a lot of books and again and again I have found a few recurring problems.

1. Unable to connect to the main character

2. Weak writing
3. Cliché
4. Annoying main character
5. Boring Plot

It does not matter if the book is a novel or manga, this can happen to any author and their work.

Attack on Titan contained to following flaws from above:

1 and 4.

I would like to point out Eren isn’t that annoying but after a few volumes, he starts to wear on you.  

As for being unable to connect, I don’t really know what to say. I understand Eren’s motives but that’s it. I never really fear for him or want to give him a  pat on the back for a job well done.

Mikasa on the other hand is downright, wonderful. She is strong, calm in the face of danger, and has an unwavering faith in her friends. She is an excellent role model for young women in Japan and anywhere really. (In my limited manga experience the girls never get to do anything. In Vampire Knight, Yuki just looks around wide-eyed and lets the guys fight mutant vampire things. In Death Note, Misa willingly lets Light use her…in fact, the only magna I’ve read that portrays women positively is Fullmetal Alchemist.)

I also enjoyed having Armin around. I liked how he wasn’t physically adequate but was still able to contribute. As a sports disaster myself (not that fighting Titans is anything like a sport) I found Armin’s character to be an inspiration.

So that’s about it for now. Happy reading!