logo
Wrong email address or username
Wrong email address or username
Incorrect verification code
back to top
Search tags: all-time-faves
Load new posts () and activity
Like Reblog Comment
text 2016-02-24 18:23
America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray
America's First Daughter: A Novel - Stephanie Dray,Laura Croghan Kamoie

America's First Daughter is one of the best books I've ever read and now holds the title as my favorite book of 2016. Splendid read from start to finish. Historical fiction at it's finest. I REALLY loved this book and I could gush all day and night but then I would waste your time when you should be reading this instead. GO! Visit your library or any bookseller. This is a must-read, especially if you are a fan of historical fiction. Five glorious stars!!

 

 

The story begins at the end of Jefferson's long and distinguished life. Each chapter begins with actual correspondence from/or to Thomas Jefferson. His daughter, Martha "Patsy" Jefferson Randolph, is preparing her father's papers, documents, and personal correspondence for publication. Patsy and her father shared a close, loving relationship. Patsy spent the majority of her life by her father's side, his fierce and loyal supporter, and she will do as she must to protect her father's legacy and reputation. Shortly after Jefferson dies at Monticello, Patsy spends most of her days sorting through the many papers her father has entrusted to her. As she reads and sorts, there are those papers that bring back memories and as Patsy reflects upon each we are allowed a glimpse of life at Monticello, coming of age in Paris, the Presidency, and Jefferson's twilight years. Patsy must then decide which of her father's documents she wants to share. Reputation is everything and Patsy chooses to burn that which would shed a negative light on Jefferson and her family. Is it here that Sally Hemings is erased from history? Did Sally and Jefferson have children together? What is the truth of the scandal at the Bizarre plantation belonging to the Randolph family?

 

 

Now, for those of you that don't fully comprehend historical fiction and get easily offended when details are not historically accurate, the author(s) took certain liberties here. Please understand that, although based on history, much of the story is fictional and many details are added for drama and entertainment. I feel I must say this because I read so many reviews written by readers that just don't get the concept of historical fiction and end up slamming a book negatively because of inaccuracies. Comments like, "I just can't read anymore. Have to stop now because the dialect used didn't exist in the year of 1789." Or "Can't stomach another moment of this book because the author confused the dates. And that never happened!" WHAT?! You do realize it's called HISTORICAL FICTION, right?! ~sigh~ Anyway, as I mentioned in some of my updates as I was reading this book, Dray did a phenomenal job researching what must have been an endless amount of information. Jefferson was an astute and consummate journaler and it is said that biographers can find notes on every day of Jefferson's adult life. Every. Single. Day. For those like me, if you're intersted in further knowledge about Jefferson and Martha, more resources can be found at AmericasFirstDaughter.com.

 

 

 

**I received an ARC from a Goodreads giveaway sponsored by William Morrow

#BestBookOf2016 

Like Reblog Comment
show activity (+)
review 2015-09-27 03:17
All the Rage by Courtney Summers
All the Rage - Courtney Summers

This book made me feel ALL the rage. Throughout history, women have been restricted, and haven’t been given a lot of rights. We’re now in 2015, and sometimes, when you see what’s happening in the world, it’s hard to tell if society has changed for the better, or if it’s more ruthless. Women are still restricted by slut-shaming, physical domination, and, let’s not forget how easy it is to blame a girl for something that happens to her without consent.  

. . . how do you get a girl to stop crying?

You cover her mouth.

This book is one of the most dark, raw, and painful books that I’ve read this year. Yeah, I’ve read some pretty dark books this year. The thing different about this one is how scary and real it is. It’s so real, when I finished this book, I got chills and felt . . . I can’t even describe my emotions.

You know all the ways you can kill a girl?

God, there are so many.

This book is not for the light-hearted. This book shows you the god damn reality of exactly what happens in real life. Throughout the book, I would sometimes start feeling like crying because I hated it. I hated how real this book was, and people are so, so vicious.

 

I think I hate Sheriff Turner more than anyone in this entire book. Seriously, I guarantee you, if Romy would’ve said anyone but Kellan’s name, there would’ve been an effing investigation. Because in that case, Sheriff Turner wouldn't have had to choose. One tiny, tiny problem that I had, that I obviously don’t have anymore, is that the synopsis is slightly misleading. I’d assumed that Kellan is a huge part in this book, but that didn’t happen.

 

Yes, there’s a love story. Thankfully, it didn’t take up the entire book, and it has diversity! :D Also, the type of relationship that Romy and Leon have makes sense because, she still has scars over what happened to her, and I think that if anyone deserves Leon, it’s Romy. She deserves someone like him.

 

Overall, All the Rage is an amazing book about survival, and a tough world in which everything is portrayed so real! If you cannot handle tough books, then I would not recommend reading this. But if you’re looking for an honest, real read then read this book! I am definitely reading more of Courtney Summer’s standalones! :D

Like Reblog Comment
show activity (+)
review 2015-09-18 08:29
The Rosie Project
The Rosie Project - Graeme Simsion

This book!! This book had me smiling all the way through. Loved it!! The best part was that I picked it to read for my own pure enjoyment, without a review being necessary. Perfect! Going on my All-Time-Fave shelf. Read an excerpt for The Rosie Effect and I can't wait to read the actual sequel. A real feel-good story!

Like Reblog Comment
show activity (+)
review 2015-09-12 03:45
Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4) by Sarah J. Maas
Queen of Shadows - Sarah J. Maas

I know, I know! This review is LONG due! But, like I said guys! I’ve been extremely busy. So, I finished Queen of Shadows and I know I’ve been taking my sweet time, I also haven’t been as active! I’m so sorry, guys! I just need another week before my hectic schedule sets!

 

Anyway: let’s begin.

 

To be honest, I have no idea where to start. Just reviewing this series is so hard because it’s so good! And I find the aspects really hard to talk about! So, I’ll just try my best!

 

Hmm, so, the beginning of Queen of Shadows was quite unexpected. I felt as if all the character relationships were quite rocky and everything seemed to be on blurry ground. It was hard to decide whether some people were friends or enemies, if they liked each other or were forced to work with one another. Especially with Chaol acting like an a-hole. Can we rant about this somewhere?! It’s driving me insane!

 

Anyway, I feel like the book was more of a build-up until 40% where someone special shows up! That’s where the characters start planning! Also, I started LOVING the character dynamics. Like, the bromance between Rowan-Aeidon was the effing best! And can we talk about Manon Blackbeak?! I LOVE that girl! And if we were waiting for two strong females to meet up with one another, then Aelin and Manon was probably the best moment I’ve been waiting for!

 

Another thing, the fantasy aspect of the world probably showed up the most in this book, because we’ll see things on how Aelin and Company would go searching and meet up with the tales and stuff and discover secrets.

 

Oh yes. Arobynn Hamel, go eff yourself. Please. Thank you. Very, very much. I salute you, Lyssandra! Hell yes girl!

 

Now; spoilers! :D

 

Okay, so I believe Sarah J. Maas has done what most authors shy away from. But this was done really well. Basically, Sarah J. Maas manages to make Chaol’s loyalty—one of his strongest traits—become a flaw. Yes, this is up to the point to where Chaol cannot even tell the difference between character and what he sees anymore. He’s literally rude to everyone and everything, even Nesryn Faliq, who, may I add, is one of my fave new additions! Thankfully, in the end, Chaol manages to redeem himself!

 

Can we talk about Dorian?! Yes, I don’t love the guy, but after Queen of Shadows the amount of suffering and loss this guy has to go through is ridiculous. Literally, just think of the worst situations that can happen in the Throne of Glass world, and it could happen to Dorian.

 

First, he gets rejected by the assassin girl he fell in love with, then he finds out he has ice powers and is controlled by his father, then he finds out his friend is hiding secrets from him and the girl who he actually fell in love with after a while gets killed in front of him so that he can suffer, and then (to top this all with a cherry on top) he gets possessed and controlled by a demon Valg prince who is ruthless and makes Doran suffer, also resulting that Dorian has to kill his father by the end and then suffer.

 

Like, at this point, I’m wondering if Aelin/Celaena has a suckier life, or Dorian. Sometimes, it gets hard.

 

Also, Arobynn Hamel, I hope you suffered long and well! This book has given me a new respect for Lyssandra, and I love her. Also, I ship this girl with Aeidon. Her belief that she will live again and find love again so so strong! I’m not lying, this courtesan has more self-respect and is more independent than some of other BS girls I’ve read about in other girls claiming how “different” they are! So, reading about Lyssandra was so refreshing.

 

Also, I loved how she killed Arobynn, making him suffer and choke on his own blood.

 

I LOVE Rowan. I LOVE Aelin. I just don’t know if I love them together. I know, I know! But, I can’t decide! I mean, obviously they’re amazing. Maybe I need to see more chemistry in between them? It’s weird, because in Crown of Midnight, I was rooting Celaena-Chaol so hard! But why am I hesitating with Aelin/Celaena-Rowan?! Not sure.

 

Also, I have some new ships:

Chaol-Nesryn

Dorian-Manon (I WILL ALSO GO DOWN WITH THIS SHIP)

Aeidon-Lyssandra (I WILL ALSO . . . GO DOWN WITH THIS SHIP)

 

All my ships go down, anyway. Why do I even try? Do you guys know how AMAZING Rowan-Manon would’ve been?!

  

Also, the plot twists. There was a plot twist for the plot twist! :D I like that!

(spoiler show)

 

Anyway, this is my LONG review. As you obviously know, FIVE stars! ALL THE STARS! I don’t know why I read Queen of Shadows because now I have to sit on my butt for another year! But, oh well! :D I just can’t! :D

 

Thanks for reading my review guys, and hope you have a great day! Until the next one! :D

Like Reblog Comment
show activity (+)
review 2015-08-26 17:39
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Wonder - R.J. Palacio

I can’t remember the last time a book made me cry. I’m being serious, I never cried when some of my all-time favorite series ended. I didn’t even cry when people were crying after the last Harry Potter book came out. Heck, I didn’t even cry at the end of Allegiant. I just don’t cry.

 

So I’m wondering (haha, get it?) what made me cry about Wonder. Yeah, I cried, like with the whole tears leaving my eyes kind of thing.

 

I’m not going to make this a personal review. But, on a level, in a certain way, yes. Yes I could connect with August with my past growing self. And I cried. Because August would cry, he asked questions about why he was ugly, he felt he got used to the way people could see his face and he reminded me of myself when I was younger.  

 

No, I don’t have a deformity. And I continue to consider myself blessed everyday. Yes, I had a problem over the years that was hard for me to get used to. I am fine now, because I’ve grown up. And puberty and stuff. And I’ve learned to stand up for myself, and thankfully, I’ve known wonderful people in my life. While it is true that I didn’t go through the things August did, his feelings were so real. So, I salute R.J. Palacio for that.

 

Another great thing about this book was that we were showed more than one point of view! There are so many people who are tied into August’s story, and it was amazing seeing their side of the story as well! :D So, I think that the only point of view I wanted to see was Julian’s. :D

 

This book was just beautiful. I loved all the characters, and they were all special in their own way. I really wish that I had something else to say for this, but this is all going to be gushing. Go read this. Like, please. I’m telling you. Just. Just read this. :D

 

Overall, Wonder is a book that is heartbreaking and wonderful. It’ll make you laugh and cry! I know it did to me! I’m completely in love with this! :D So go, read this!

 

Thanks for reading my review everyone, and hope you have a great day! Until the next one!

More posts
Your Dashboard view:
Need help?