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Monday, December 31, 2012
Best Books of 2012
Happy New Year Everyone!!!
Another year has passed and yay! I'm on my 5th year blogging about the books I've read, TV series and movies I've watched. 2012 has been a tough year to me and to my family. Well, that's because I've finally(!!!) decided to start a small business while attending to family needs, working and completing my masters. It's very tiring and I don't get to have ME time as much as before but so far everything is running smooth. I hope and pray that everything will be alrighty next year, oh I mean this year 2013 (already Jan 1 here in the Philippines). And of course that I would still be able to read and blog, though I may have to cut the number of books I read from six to four books a month.
As for the title of this post, every end of the year I review all the books I read, you know as in gather them all and look at each of the book and then give them "awards" ;) lol well it makes me happy doing it... so here are my best books read for the year 2012:
Another year has passed and yay! I'm on my 5th year blogging about the books I've read, TV series and movies I've watched. 2012 has been a tough year to me and to my family. Well, that's because I've finally(!!!) decided to start a small business while attending to family needs, working and completing my masters. It's very tiring and I don't get to have ME time as much as before but so far everything is running smooth. I hope and pray that everything will be alrighty next year, oh I mean this year 2013 (already Jan 1 here in the Philippines). And of course that I would still be able to read and blog, though I may have to cut the number of books I read from six to four books a month.
As for the title of this post, every end of the year I review all the books I read, you know as in gather them all and look at each of the book and then give them "awards" ;) lol well it makes me happy doing it... so here are my best books read for the year 2012:
Best Books (5-star) of 2012
Best Book #1 (Series)
I loved this book! A very long book, 592 pages but I finished reading this in just three days! The author wove a great story of witches, vampires, demons, and other supernatural creatures. The story is captivating and full of emotions. ....
Must Read/Know Story
North Korea. I have always been interested in this country for years so when Penguin approached me for a review, I instantly said yes. The book is about Shin Dong-hyuk life story, the only North Korean known to have escaped Camp 14, a prison/labor camp for the political enemies of North Korea.
Best Book Finale (Series)
Didn't read one so I'll skip this award ;)
Best Romance Books
I loved this book! A very long book, 592 pages but I finished reading this in just three days! The author wove a great story of witches, vampires, demons, and other supernatural creatures. The story is captivating and full of emotions. ....
The Lure of Shapinsay is my first selkie book. When I accepted the request to read and review this, I thought the story is interesting but I honestly didn't know what selkies are. I was imagining they're like mermaids/mermen, you know those fish-like creatures. So this is actually a shocking read for me. Selkies are not fish-like creatures. Imagine, seal in water, human on land. Wait - did you know that seal and sea lion are two different sea creatures? They look the same to me so again, I didn't know they're different until I read this book! Back to the Scottish folklore, selkies wear their skin when in water but if they want to be human, they have to shed their skin. This is all new to me so I checked other reviews for this book, seems like the other reviewers also didn't have a clue about this folklore. . . .
Best "Feel Good" Books
Godspeed is a very touching love story. I was deeply moved by this book, I cried and laughed with Derry and Amedee as I join them in their life together. I loved the building of their relationship. His love for Amedee is so pure, everlasting and I'm sure anyone who reads this book would want to find someone like Derry. . . .
The book tells the story of Edward and Sam, two men in a relationship dreaming of having a family of their own. Actually, Sam wants it, Edward on the other hand is uncertain in proceeding with this plan because he is not sure he can handle it right.
Ginger is twelve years old but she has already experienced everything in life. Sex, drugs, child pornography, stealing, etc. Henry, the counsellor, thinks Sam and Edward's plans of raising a family is just right on time because Ginger needs to be given a "home". Henry considers the gay couple the best foster parents to Ginger. Sam and Edward take on the role seriously and together they experienced the ups and downs of having a kid while maintaining their busy lives.
Best "fresh fiction" Book
The Lure of Shapinsay is my first selkie book. When I accepted the request to read and review this, I thought the story is interesting but I honestly didn't know what selkies are. I was imagining they're like mermaids/mermen, you know those fish-like creatures. So this is actually a shocking read for me. Selkies are not fish-like creatures. Imagine, seal in water, human on land. Wait - did you know that seal and sea lion are two different sea creatures? They look the same to me so again, I didn't know they're different until I read this book! Back to the Scottish folklore, selkies wear their skin when in water but if they want to be human, they have to shed their skin. This is all new to me so I checked other reviews for this book, seems like the other reviewers also didn't have a clue about this folklore. . . .
Full Review
That's it for this year! Looking forward to reading more great books this 2013!!
Wishing you and your family a happy and satisfying 2013!
That's it for this year! Looking forward to reading more great books this 2013!!
Wishing you and your family a happy and satisfying 2013!
2012 Year End Book Review Report
Year End Book Review Report
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Follow Friday
It's time for the weekly hop!! If you want to join the fun, visit Alison Can Read or Parajunkee's View for the link.
Q: WHAT BOOK DO YOU THINK EVERYONE SHOULD READ? IF YOU COULD GIFT THE ENTIRE POPULATION WITH ONE BOOK?
Okay, I can't think of a "book" but a book series. If I could, I would give everyone Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead. They're my favorite books and because there are life lessons to be learned from just reading them.
How about you? Happy Holidays!!!
Friday, December 28, 2012
Book Review: Godspeed by Dan Chabot
A Love Story
Author: Dan Chabot
Paperback: 306 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (June 20, 2012)
Amazon Link
Kindle Edition
File Size: 419 KB
Print Length: 307 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1477435360
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Babop/Dan Chabot; 1 edition (September 28, 2012)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Amazon Link
Note: I received a review copy of this book free from Dan Chabot. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.
Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
My thoughts:
Godspeed is a love story which tells the painful yet satisfying journey of one man - Derry Danaher. Derry works in a local newspaper called the Ledger as a reporter and feature writer. He believes that by working in that newspaper, he is doing something important, something that makes difference in people's lives. For Derry, he doesn't need anything or anyone in his life. When he lost his father, he went into depression and he doesn't want to go through the same pain again. Everything is working out well with him until he meets Amedee Carol Beauchene.
Godspeed is a very touching love story. I was deeply moved by this book, I cried and laughed with Derry and Amedee as I join them in their life together. I loved the building of their relationship. His love for Amedee is so pure, everlasting and I'm sure anyone who reads this book would want to find someone like Derry.
I also loved Derry's family and even work friends. The love and understanding they have shown him is unbelievable. Everyone at work had the compassion to offer any help to Derry, they did not hesitate to take him back even after six months of no communication. I sometimes wonder if that was realistic, to have that kind of support from people at work is just amazing.
The only flaw I see in this book was that the first 100 pages were kind of a slow read because of the flashbacks. I was never good in understanding stories with flashbacks so I just skimmed through those until I guess I was almost done with the story. When I finally realized how they are connected, I went back to read the earlier pages again.
The ending made me decide to finally give this book a 5-star rating even with the above flaw. I honestly think this would make a good Hollywood movie. If you are looking for a nice, heartwarming and encouraging story, you might want to pick-up this book.
About the book:
When Derry and Amedee fall in love, it is a collision of destinies, and they are sure it will last forever. But when it ends in tragedy, Derry, beset by remorse and guilt, sets off on an improbable, reckless crusade for redemption. When it finally ends abruptly, he has found someone to help him build a new life from the ashes of the past, and readers are left to ponder a poignant question: How can a lie be wrong when it makes so many people feel so good?
About the author:
Dan Chabot is a veteran newspaper editor, writer and columnist who spent 25 years with the Milwaukee Journal, much of that time as the editor of its popular and beloved Green Sheet, a feature section printed on green paper that specialized in whimsical and offbeat stories, humor and advice columns, puzzles and games, and of course, the comic strips.
He wrote a popular column called The Greenskeeper that engaged readers in offbeat and improbable contests, such as finding the people with the worst handwriting in Milwaukee (doctors were declared ineligible, because they were considered professional scrawlers), or searching neighborhoods to find homes with the most interesting, imaginative and creative mailboxes. For several years the Green Sheet provided helpful advice on St. Patrick's Day to folks caught without something green to wear -- a handy template on how to cut up the Green Sheet in a precise way to make a quick necktie!
Chabot also wrote for other sections of the paper. One of his travel stories, about a visit with his family to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, was quoted in a Hall of Fame publication, and also wound up in Paul Dixon's book, "Famous Baseball Quotations."
Chabot is a native of Ontonagon, MI, where he served for a time as assistant editor of the local weekly. After two years with a small paper in the California Bay Area, he joined the staff of the Milwaukee Journal.
These days Chabot lives in Florida. He and his wife, Mary Ellen, are the parents of three grown sons and five grandchildren. "Godspeed: a love story" is his first novel, and he's now at work on a second.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Book Spotlight: Christopher S. Bell's TRANSFERABLE AMERICAN MORALS
by Christopher S. Bell
Paperback: 234 pages
Publisher: My Idea of Fun
Release Date: December 12th, 2012
Link: My Idea of Fun
About the book
Transferable American Morals follows twin prodigies, Libby and Neil Robinson, in the fall of 1972. Born and raised in the small town of Marble Valley, Washington, the siblings are pushed into the limelight by their father, Brian, at the age of thirteen, soon arising victorious as grand-prize winners on the popular game show Teenage Know-How.
Now both seventeen and ridden with hormones, the Robinson twins are living separately across town from one another. Libby is a shining example at her religious mother’s side, until college boyfriend, William Hamilton the III, violates the girl’s every conviction. Sick and stranded at a university gala, Libby finds solace in slacker, Evan Wheeler, soon meeting his older brother, Davy, an addicted Vietnam veteran reduced to working carnival games on the outskirts of town.
Neil is unstable, residing above the garage at his Uncle Dennis’ humble abode and unfortunately in love with his Cousin Grant’s girlfriend, Josie Crissman. The twin locates a temporary solution in newscaster, Mona Gilmore, stranded by her own sense of trust following husband Woody’s invitation into a swinger’s lifestyle. Neil and Mona begin a sordid love affair just as Libby and the Wheeler Brothers dance around the point.
Amongst all the routine confusion, the Robinson twins fail to notice their mother Carol’s new boyfriend, Gabriel Hegedus, snaking his way into their lives. Approaching holidays, unexpected engagements and rising suspicions all coalesce as Neil and Libby slowly discover half-truths about their rare talents and interwoven lifestyles.
EXCERPT 1
Libby was at a loss after getting shouted at by another frayed student of Hickory University. She subtly caught her balance and noticed the tall bottle of liquor sitting in the same vicinity as the grainy tobacco. “I’m sorry. I… I’m just a little out of it.”
“Well you’d have to be, to be here,” Evan sealed the sloppy brown bits into the paper.
“Yeah, I guess,” Libby suddenly crawled back into her dense and instructed self, approaching him with steadier steps. “So what fraternity do you belong to?”
“None,” he chuckled, before lighting the white end and breathing out the smoke.
“Then why are you here?”
“Stealing this, killing time,” Evan pointed to the bottle with little thought, and went back to the breeze. “What about you?”
“Oh I’m uh… Well I’m kind of looking for the easiest possible way for all of this to make sense.” Libby wondered if he’d think her assessment of the universe was at all childish or misinformed.
“For what to make sense?”
“Just why I’m here. Why it looks as if happenings like this may be the rest of my life.”
“Oh… Well, I don’t know. I guess I can’t make any assumptions, but I can say that I think it’s normal for people to talk out loud about things like that nowadays.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, it’s more socially acceptable to be destructive, or paralyzed by our own thoughts now, just because everything’s in pieces everywhere, ya know?”
“Sure,” she sighed, trying to determine if the person in front of her was going through a similar loss in judgement and direction.
“But anyway, I’m getting out of here now, so it was what it was, ya know?” He buttoned the bottom of his coat, and began to stroll as Libby attempted to see if she was at all attracted to his exaggerated form. She had a low tolerance for smoking and slicked back exteriors, but that was a mere offshoot of memorized prayers and reactions.
“Actually um…” Libby hesitated before finding her words right where she had left them years before the death of curiosity. “Do you maybe have another cigarette for me?”
They were then frozen cliches, attempting to resurface from months of swimming around parallel social scenes. Following introductions on the stroll to his downtrodden vehicle, Evan and Libby both realized that they had most likely passed each other by multiple times in the previous two months, and yet were more so in awe at how easy it was for them to talk about less than nothing.
They were hardly personal, projecting skewed points of view on taste and largely square environments, before traipsing around more dense issues of time and place. They became so lost that after a few sips of the bottle and the soft chill of the wind on her face, Libby Robinson completely forgot about everything tying her down. Their night was merely waiting to begin.
EXCERPT 2
Neil briefly considered Jesus Christ willfully donating his time and powers to such festivities, before crossing the possibility out completely. He scurried back toward the hallway, painting a similar line with his steps. An invisible underdressed specimen had wandered in at the perfect time. Neil noticed Suzanne Romano sloppily French-kissing a longhaired socialite on the outskirts of the clump, before leaving a cloud of dust behind them, and surprising Josie with the bottle. They didn’t wait to drown away their sorrows; soon back on the streets checking Neil’s wristwatch as the numbers motionlessly passed by.
“Unbelievable,” Josie stated, somewhat in awe of the bottle before taking another quick swig.
“Ya know, we probably shouldn’t just drink that in the street,” Neil said, somewhat nervously checking the angles again.
“Why the hell not? We’re fine Neil. I mean, if we get caught, I know how we’ll get out of it.”
“How?” He asked, slightly confused.
“All we have to say is that we know Lou Hinterliter,” she grinned
“Just because we know the chief of police’s name, doesn’t mean we’d get out of trouble.”
“Are you sure? I mean, isn’t that what your dad did to get out of a jam all those years ago?” Josie knew she shouldn’t have brought it up, and yet couldn’t necessarily resist the devilishness of her comment.
“You’re stepping into shit right now, and I’m not sure I should even tell ya how much it stinks.” Neil snatched the bottle from her hand, and cut down the nearest alley, cringing as the thick syrup made its way down his throat.
“I’m sorry, but I mean… you know that’s how it works, plus considering that Paul’s going to be at the same party we’re headed to means we’re free and clear to get this shitty in the middle of the street. Big Lou’s not gonna bust his own son.”
“Must you always point out each and every hypocrisy of the system we live in?” Neil knew he was being a condescending smart-ass, and yet could very easily blame his mood and tone on how fast the booze was kicking in.
“Hey, I’m just trying to make this walk a little more enjoyable since you’re freaking out about everything.” Josie’s eyes grew wide as her smile crept up and exploded on Neil Robinson in a monumental flash.
“At least I had the balls to walk in and steal that. You just hid in the corner like a little girl.”
“I didn’t wanna have to see all of them in their suits and dresses.”
“Why not?”
“Because it reminds me too much of how we’re all just wasting away.”
Josie Crissman’s honesty always had a funny way of sneaking up on Neil when he least expected it. The continuation of their walk to the threadbare house on Third Street was exactly as he had dreamed it would be. They laughed and danced around all the vital points before entering into a familiar crawl. It was exactly where their weekdays had led them. Drugs and narrow simplicities under the radar in a somber living space. She ran to Grant who had gotten off from the restaurant early, reliably drunker than the both of them. Neil merely hoped that his cousin’s charm would fail and that he would still be awake when it was time to pick up the pieces. Missing the mark for the greater good and the rest of their nights.
Book Review: Night of the Chupacabra by Michael Hebler
Chupacabra Series Book One
Author: Michael Hebler
Paperback: 300 pages
Publisher: Night After Publications (October 17, 2012)
Amazon Link
Note: I received a review copy of this book free from Michael Hebler. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.
My thoughts:
I thought the story is great and I was hooked from the very first until the last page of the book. I first heard stories of the Chupacabra from my grandmother and this brought back childhood memories. Night of the Chupacabra is a western horror novel that tells the story of one family wanting to start a new life in a new place. While in one of their travels, they encountered a chupacabra and only one man survived, Drake.
Drake, the main character of the story, is very much likeable. One would instantly love this character, a strong and tough guy on the outside but softy on the inside. His love and dedication to his family including his dear brother, Gavin, is what I remember the most.
The pacing of the story moves forward smoothly. Considering I was out attending parties the week I'm reading this, I never had a problem remembering the story and the characters. The story flows just right and the tension stays with me every time I pick up the book. As for the dialogue, usually I despise books written in strange language or dialect, or anything written not in plain English. I am still wondering why despite the author's use of "western dialogue", it didn't affect the level of my enjoyment of the story. Maybe he was just really good in weaving the whole story that I was never bothered by the strange dialogue. I loved the twists, especially the revelation on the legend of the first chupacabra, that I believe wouldn't bore readers. All in all, loved the book one and I look forward to reading more from the author, Michael Hebler.
Drake, the main character of the story, is very much likeable. One would instantly love this character, a strong and tough guy on the outside but softy on the inside. His love and dedication to his family including his dear brother, Gavin, is what I remember the most.
The pacing of the story moves forward smoothly. Considering I was out attending parties the week I'm reading this, I never had a problem remembering the story and the characters. The story flows just right and the tension stays with me every time I pick up the book. As for the dialogue, usually I despise books written in strange language or dialect, or anything written not in plain English. I am still wondering why despite the author's use of "western dialogue", it didn't affect the level of my enjoyment of the story. Maybe he was just really good in weaving the whole story that I was never bothered by the strange dialogue. I loved the twists, especially the revelation on the legend of the first chupacabra, that I believe wouldn't bore readers. All in all, loved the book one and I look forward to reading more from the author, Michael Hebler.
About the book:
Post Civil War. Families move west to begin rich new lives, only some never make it. There is a creature that lurks in the vast open deserts of the west. It can only survive on blood and, although it prefers to prey on the weak and young, it will slaughter anyone or anything, once provoked. It is unnatural, deceptive, and difficult to kill. Word about the existence of this elusive beast has not spread since anyone who has crossed paths with it did not live long enough to tell of their account.
Night of the Chupacabra is one man’s journey to reunite with his missing family, while the lethal creature that separated them, the mysterious and ravenous chupacabra, is never far behind. Night of the Chupacabra is not only a gruesome regale of carnage, but a unique combination of science fiction bloodshed with a more poignant tale of lost love set against a Western backdrop. Night of the Chupacabra is an unflinching look at the impossible choices made for family, while knowing the consequences will ultimately lead to a fate worse than death.
About the author:
Michael's current focus is on a series of dark thriller novels based on the legendary 'el Chupacabra' with Book One, "Night of the Chupacabra", releasing on October 17, 2012. In June 2011, Michael published a short-story prologue to the Chupacabra Series, "Hunt for the Chupacabra", available for free download. Michael is also the author of the children's picture book classic, "The Night After Christmas", available in both ebook and print formats.
Michael enjoys running a blog in his spare time, "My Little Obsessions", where he rambles about all the things he loves, which tends to be a distraction from his work.
Author website: http://www.michaelhebler.com
My Little Obsessions: http://michaelsobsessions.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Guest Author: Karen Wiesner
Zoë Rossdale was first introduced in GLASS ANGELS, Book 4 of the Family Heirlooms Series. Zoë is hands-down my favorite character of all the many, many I’ve created. I knew going into the outline for her book that I wanted to write her in 1st person point-of-view…not something I’ve done often. I wanted to achieve a “Chick-lit” feel for the book, and I knew I could capture it in that POV. But I also knew I wanted to include the hero’s POV, but not in 1st person. I wasn’t sure how to do this, but a friend and fellow author, Diane Craver, encouraged me to go ahead with this idea, which seemed crazy to me. So I did it. I wrote the first two scenes: Zoë’s in 1st person, Curt’s in 3rd. I loved every minute of writing both of these scenes, and they worked. I knew that first sure when I sent them to Diane and she felt the same way I did. I knew this was the only way to write this story, and I also knew I wasn’t done with Zoë and Curt. I’ll be revisiting them in the 5thand 7th books in the Friendship Heirlooms Series, CLUMSY GIRL’S GUIDE TO HAVING A BABY and CLUMSY GIRL’S GUIDE TO HAVING IT ALL. Find out more about these books and the series here: http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/fiction9a.html
Creating realistic, unforgettable characters one story at a time…
Karen Wiesner is an accomplished author with 94 books published in the past 14 years, which have been nominated for and/or won 125 awards, and has 30 more titles under contract. Karen’s books cover such genres as women’s fiction, romance, mystery/police procedural/cozy, suspense, paranormal, futuristic, gothic, inspirational, thriller, horror, chick-lit, and action/adventure. She also writes children’s books, poetry, and writing reference titles such as her bestsellers, First Draft in 30 Days and From First Draft to Finished Novel {A Writer’s Guide to Cohesive Story Building}, available from Writer’s Digest Books. Look for Writing the Fiction Series: The Complete Guide for Novels and Novellas, her next offering from Writer’s Digest Books, in May 2013. Her previous writing reference titles focused on non-subsidy, royalty-paying electronic publishing, author promotion, and setting up a promotional group like her own, the award-winning Jewels of the Quill, which she founded in 2003. Jewels of the Quill produced two award-winning group anthologies per year published by Whiskey Creek Press from 2005-2011. All were edited by Karen and others. For more information about Karen’s fiction and series, consult her official companion guide The World of Author Karen Wiesner: A Compendium of Fiction. Along with her writing, Karen enjoys designing websites, graphics, and cover art. For more information about Karen and her work, visit her websites at http://www.karenwiesner.com, http://www.firstdraftin30days.com, http://www.falconsbend.com and http://www.JewelsoftheQuill.com. If you would like to receive Karen’s free e-mail newsletter, Karen’s Quill, and become eligible to win her monthly book giveaways, send a blank e-mail to KarensQuill-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
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