Month: June 2017

Review #37

Ivy B. LakeLeave a comment

I started reading Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour by the one and only Morgan Matson the moment it came available at the library. I’ve wanted to read this for quite some time, but I always managed to forget to pick it up. 

This book’s start may seem boring, trust me, I had to go through it too. However, it’s core and it’s message are exceptional. I loved the characters’ growth throughout the road trip; how Amy became more comfortable with who she really was, and how Roger broke free of his chains to someone who didn’t want him back. The road trip was fun, freeing, and I was giddy to read it. The descriptions were vivid and  extremely visual, down to every last french frie, and I want to travel across America now!

Thank you Ms. Matson. Your books always move me.

I read too fast to publish a Currently Reading post, so here it is:

(This image belongs to https://www.amazon.com/Rogers-Epic-Detour-Morgan-Matson/dp/1416990666)

With Smiles,

Ivy B. Lake

Review #36

Ivy B. LakeLeave a comment

Panic by Lauren Oliver was quietly thrilling, original, and shocking. 

I was surprised by the drab setting as I started reading this book, and by the depressing atmosphere that clung to every character. Now, looking back, I realize that the mood of the entire story was vital to the message: There is always a light in every darkness. Yes, Carp was a boring, small, hopeless town, with a large amount of boring and hopeless people, but what made this novel extraordinary was not the setting but the people who defied all odds. Heather, Nat, Bishop, Dodge, and even little Lily didn’t let Carp bring them down, suck them into a life of drinking and sleeping in trailers all day, but they rose above and refused to be held down. We should all remember that there is no need to be afraid, as the last lines of this book tell us.

For the second time I have been impressed by Ms. Oliver, and I look forward to a third. 

With Smiles,

Ivy B. Lake

Review #35

Ivy B. LakeLeave a comment

The highly anticipated A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas was everything I’d hoped for. It had the quick witted Court of Dreams we all adore, the romance between Rhys and Feyre, the tensions of war, and the budding love between so many others (Nesta and Cassian!!). What I felt was a little lacking was the story line. At times it felt as if things were just happening, with no build-up or suspense. It was a tad too predictable, and felt almost as though dominos were falling down one by one. This doesn’t change my love for this series whatsoever, and I am still eager for the next book! As always, well done Sarah.

With Smiles,

Ivy B. Lake

Currently Reading

Ivy B. LakeLeave a comment

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas FINALLY came in at the library! I was 7th on the hold list, and I’ve been dying to read it. See y’all soon with my review.

Image result for a court of wings and ruin

(This image belongs to http://sarahjmaas.com/a-court-of-wings-and-ruin/)

With Smiles,

Ivy B. Lake

Currently Reading

Ivy B. LakeLeave a comment

I am enthralled with Lauren Oliver’s writing now, so my next book is going to be Panic by (you guessed it) Lauren Oliver.

Image result for panic by lauren oliver

(This image belongs to http://www.laurenoliverbooks.com/panic.php)

With Smiles,

Ivy B. Lake

Review #34

Ivy B. LakeLeave a comment

Lauren Oliver was a new author to me, and I recently went to the library and literally picked up every single book that was written by her. The first of these that I read was Before I Fall.

Let me please just say, if you liked If I Stay at all, please read this book. It has the same elements that take your breath away, make your toes tingle, and leave you stunned nearly every page. You’ll love it, I promise.

This novel was incredibly impressive. It’s hard to find the proper words for it. I almost feel as though I’ve lived through Samantha Kingston’s life and I am just now waking up from a very short (and somehow very long) dream. “Powerful” is probably the most appropriate word to describe it. This book takes you and slams you face first into real life and, quite frankly, real death. You have no choice. Once you read the first page you are in for the ride.

The story that Lauren Oliver formed in this book is brilliant, and will leave you feeling slightly dizzy if you’re anything like me. I was swept off my feet, and I don’t mean in the romantic, sighing way, I mean in the I-Just-Got-Knocked-Over-On-The-Ice-Rink-And-Suddenly-I’m-On-My-Back sort of way. Oliver is showing us no mercy. This book is raw, real, and harsh in all the ways that are good. I’m starved for more of her writing, and I can’t wait to begin another one of her novels tonight.

Once again I’ve read a book too fast and forgotten my Currently Reading post. So here it is:

Image result for before i fall book

(This image belongs to https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/before-i-fall-lauren-oliver/1100151137)

With Smiles,

Ivy B. Lake