Tag: Book Reivew

Posted in Spicy Romance

Teach Me Something New

Posted on by Little Bee

19303382

Teach Me Something New pt 1 by Summer Olsen

Goodreads Rating: 3 stars

Currently, a really big trend in the romance genre is the subgenre of BDSM. Though this genre is not new, thanks to 50 Shades, this subgenre is getting more notice. Teach Me Something New Pt. 1 is no different in this trend.  It is a relatively Free short story, ends on a cliffhanger, making you purchase all of the other parts (which at this time I have not…). The whole premise of the story is Lucy is in Grad School. She decides to take a literature class as to observe and she meets the most delicious professor. She doesn’t take things seriously, talks out of turns, and berates other students. After class, she goes to the professor’s office; notices that the door is unlock and snoops around. She finds some BDSM type magazines in his desk drawer. This gets her wheels going, she begins fantasizing at home, and researching everything she can about BDSM and what it might be like. To make a short story shorter, Professor McDelicious starts taking notice in her, reading “smut” books she suggests, and then, to top it all off…he starts becoming her Dom…very slowly.

There weren’t any spectacular scenes. No smutty, slutty sexy scenes. Some spankings of course, because let’s face it, Lucy is NOT a good little girl, if you catch my drift. Through the story she is given “tests” and “Tasks.” The author slowly builds up a heat, but offers no release in this part. I will eventually get around to reading the others. I am hoping this story offers some promise and will deliver on the budding heat between Lucy and her delicious professor.

Posted in YA Book Reviews

The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar

Posted on by Little Bee

16668928

The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar by Roald Dahl

Goodreads rating: 5 stars

Audio rating: 5 stars

So continuing my Dahlacation, I came across this particular story. Apparently this story is in a collection of short stories by Roald Dahl, but the audio version I listened to was just this book. This story left me shattered. My heart was absolutely broken. For all the best reasons.

Maybe it is my lack of Dahl experience, but I feel like this may be one of Dahl’s lesser known stories. We all know Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, The BFG, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and most likely, The Fantastic Mr. Fox. But what about some of his short stories, such as that on Henry Sugar? Though I feel it is a bit lesser known, again my opinion, it is still a wonderful story.

A little bit of information: It starts when Henry Sugar stumbles upon a book written by an English doctor in India who came across a man who could see with his eyes closed. After reading the story, Henry Sugar decides he wants to learn this talent so that, being the gambling man he is, he can go and rob casinos blind without them knowing. It takes him a few years to successfully complete this task. When he gets his talent down to being able to see the face side of a card within 4 seconds, he goes to a casino. He realizes quickly, he has to let himself sometimes lose as to not gather attention. Being that Mr. Sugar is already a wealthy man, he found that he felt incomplete after winning at the casino one night. The next morning, he throws his winnings out of his window to people walking by. It causes a spectacle and a police officer comes knocking on Mr. Sugar’s door. Mr. Sugar explains the story of how he came across the money, the police officer, outraged, explained to Mr. Sugar that if had that kind of money to be throwing out the window, he should be giving it back to the community. The police officer explained that there were many orphanages that are run down and can barely feed the children residing there, and that he would know firsthand as he lived in one. This gives Mr. Sugar a wonderful idea…he will go around all the casinos of the world, winning their money right from under their noses, and building orphanages in every country he goes. In order to do this, he decides that he has to have someone for the financial aspect, someone who will maintain his money and help finance the orphanages appropriately. After a conversation with a tax guy he knows, and a few demonstrations, he acquires the perfect person. They do this for a while, him winning money and sending it to his bank account in Switzerland for the taxman to manage. After a while, some casinos in Vegas catch on to him, and in a narrow escape from the Mafia with his life, he decides he needs someone to help him create disguises. So, after a conversation and a few demonstrations, he finds the perfect man. They travel together, with new passports and new identities and they hit the same casinos over and over again. The two of them do this for decades, funding hundreds of orphanages all around the world.

The story is narrated by a man who was asked to write the story of Henry Sugar when he died. The narrator was curious as to why he was only set to write this part of the story, and not the story of what happened at each casino. The man in charge of the finances stated that Henry’s PIC Max wanted to write that adventure himself, if he could manage to complete it before his own death.

I know I do not normally write a “book report” style book review, but I feel like I had to. This story takes you on an emotional journey, watching Henry Sugar grow from his money hungry, entitled self to the man who funded many orphanages to give children better lives. He not only significantly touched and changed his life and the lives of his closest partners/friends, he changed the lives of children all over the world. What a great way to utilize his hard work for the gift of seeing without your eyes.

Posted in YA Book Reviews

The Witches

Posted on by Little Bee

6327

The Witches by Roald Dahl

Goodreads rating: 5 stars

Audible rating: 5 stars

Does anyone else think that Roald Dahl’s imagination was one of nightmarish proportions…or is it just me? Let’s take a look at some of his works. There are giants that steal children in their beds and eat them; there is a delicious chocolate factory that has inventions capable to turn children into blueberries or even shrink them; an ogreish couple attempting to capture birds for a bird pie dinner meant for two; 3 mean farmers attempting to kill an entire fox family; a young boy who goes on a magnificent journey inside a peach with his backyard buggy friends….so why not a story about witches who come up with a superb plan of turning all the children in England into rats so that their parents and loved ones would squash them in fear?! Sounds like a good time to me, to be honest. So, because I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to Roald Dahl books, The Witches was no different. I began listening to this story while I was getting ready in my hotel during my training for work. I liked it. Started out in true, scary, Roald Dahl fashion, you know, creepy… In the first chapter a little boy and his family were in a car wreck on the way to the grandmother’s house in Norway, of which his parents died. He ends up staying for a period of time with his grandmother in Norway who tells him stories of real live witches that live in Norway and various examples of their existence. One day, a lawyer comes by and informs the grandmother that per the will they must return to England so that he can continue school there. While back in England, his grandmother got sick. As she got better, they went to south England for a nice little retreat of the health. I want to point out, that at this point in the story, I was driving home from training, when I had a sudden realization. This story sounds an awful lot like the movie The Witches that came out in 1990. You know the one right?the_witchesThe-WitchesMind= BLOWN. I had NO idea! None! Granted, I was 5 when this amazingly awesome movie came out, how was I supposed to know that it was based on none other than Roald Dahl’s exciting story, The Witches! I didn’t even know who Roald Dahl was! Do you know how long it took me to make that connection for most of his stories that became movies? I had never read a single Roald Dahl book until Charlie and the Chocolate Factory LAST year….I know, I should feel ashamed to even call myself a book lover. Trust me. I am currently making up for this lack of Dahlacation by attempting to read or listen to EVERY BOOK he has ever put into existence!

So after this realization, I think it is safe to say I did what any movie lover does if they happen to see a movie first, I compared it the whole time I listened. Bad Idea. Why did I not learn my lesson after reading Jurrasic Park when I was 16? I figured the book and movie would be pretty close…and though they are, the endings are COMPLETELY different. The movie leaves you feeling happy, the book leaves you feeling depressed. My Dahlacation shall continue with an open mind, an open heart, and an endless love for the creative mind Roald Dahl left in this world.

Posted in YA Book Reviews

This effin’ book…only I’m not saying effin!

Posted on by Little Bee

2118745

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Audiobook rating: 4 out of 5 stars, Narrator: Nick Podehl

First, I want to point out, this review will contain a MAJOR spoiler. So, if you rather discover this travesty on your own, skip this review. I normally do my absolute best to not give spoilers, but this particular incident almost made me not finish the book. I had to leave it for a week or two and try again.

My previous experience with Patrick Ness was emotional, yet pleasant. I enjoyed A Monster Calls so much that I was excited to begin The Knife of Never Letting Go. A lot of my friends also enjoyed this series, and it came highly recommended.

If you are like me, you like to read what other people say about a book. Generally, this doesn’t bias me or how I perceive a story, but helps me to understand what others feel and if it is the same as me. In my research, one such reviewer mentioned about the bad grammar. Let me point out, the author’s grammar is not bad in this book. I think the reviewer missed something. Young Todd is not educated, and since this story is told from Young Todd’s point of view, the grammar should reflect his level of knowledge. Further, Young Todd is the youngest and only boy remaining to become a man in Prentistown. The mayor of Prentistown banned education long ago, so unfortunately, Todd’s grammatical abilities are sub-par and that is being generous!

From the very beginning, I was confused about this book. Information was very slowly given along the way. Having said that, I understand why it was written that way. Todd only knows one way of life. In fact, he believed that Prentistown was the only town in New World. This town also has no women. On New World, you can hear each other’s thoughts, including the animals. Todd has a dog named Manchee. Manchee was my favorite character. The narrator really brought Manchee to life.

Now, the rest of the review is complicated because I don’t like writing book reports for a review. Todd is close to becoming a man. He is very excited for this, but doesn’t understand what it means yet. Upon returning home from a trip to the swamp, after hearing an absolute silence he couldn’t explain, his surrogate father, Ben, told him that he had to leave.  Ben gave Todd a journal that Todd’s mother kept while she was still alive in hopes for it to help save Todd one day when the time came. Ben never really explained why, so Todd was very confused and upset for most of the story. Todd and Manchee ran towards the swamp trying to escape. The mayor has a group of men already coming for him. When he gets into the swamp, he finds that eerie silence again. He discovers it’s a GIRL!  So, Todd becomes even more confused because there weren’t any girls in New World. They all got ill and died. So he he was taught. After a rough start, the two team up and discover there is a town nearby and run for it. In this town, Todd discovers MORE females. He also discovers that people from Prentistown are not well liked. He doesn’t understand it and no one is willing to explain it to him. One such man in this new town tries to attack and kill Todd. The ever faithful Manchee attempts to protect Todd and gets injured. Poor Manchee gets injured a lot coming to his friend’s aid.

Here is the spoiler: Manchee gets killed. Beyond killed, Manchee is murdered. A lot happens to Todd, Viola (the girl) and Manchee. At a pivotal point in this story, Viola is taken by Prentistown’s preacher, Aaron. Todd and Manchee devise a plan to save her. It works up until the point when Todd is attempting to get into a boat and Aaron grabs him. Manchee tears at Aaron. Rips at his throat. But in one wrong move, Aaron gets the leg up and grabs Manchee by the neck. Aaron tells Todd it is the girl or the dog. Todd just leaves. He just leaves his dog to die.

I listened to this book. Manchee’s character was so enjoyabl. Just writing that bit of the review brings me to tears and I can hear Manchee’s last question when he realizes Todd is leaving him to die…his very last….”Todd?”

You know, I can accept the death of a beloved character. I really can. What i can’t stand about this death is that Todd didn’t even try to save them both. He just chose the stranger over a loyal companion he has had for years. This death brought my already low rating down even more.

The book ends with a massive cliffhanger, so be ready. The ending infuriated  me and made me that much angrier at Manchee’s death. The massive confusion I had towards the beginning of the book eventually started making since right after Manchee’s death.

Overall, the book was good. It was. Todd and Viola’s character growth was good and what I would expect out of a character that had to face the situations that they did. I just don’t enjoy being confused for 33 of the 42 chapters in a book. Something has to give. Sure, I figured some things on my own. So my level of confused frustration brought my rating down a bit more.

I do suggest listening to this book over reading. Nick Podehl really brings the characters to life. I would listen to him again. I think being able to place a voice to the characters gives a much stronger impact of emotions when something happens in a book. That is something Patrick Ness has down pat as an author—making you feel exactly what the character does as they are experiencing it.

Posted in YA Book Reviews

Son of the Mob

Posted on by Little Bee

22237

Rating: 4 stars

Audiobook rating: 5 stars, Narrator: Max Casella

It seems like I have listened to more books than read lately, but with my current job, I need something to entertain me during the day. This story definitely brought the entertainment! I have to say, this book is one of those I don’t think I would have enjoyed as much if I had read it on my own. This book was made enjoyable by Max Casella.

This book is about Vince Luca, a high school student and the son of a major mob boss. Vince doesn’t want anything to do with his dad’s “legitimate” business endeavors. However, through a series of unfortunate events, Vince finds himself in the heart of his dad’s organizations!

This book is almost like a modern day Romeo and Juliet, but no suicides or deaths. Vince starts dating the daughter of the very FBI agent that has been trying to lock his dad up for the past few years. All the while, Vince does his best not to tell his new love who his dad is. Vince always hated being judged because of who his father was. All the while, Vince becomes a bookie without realizing it thanks to his older brother, the go to guy for those who owe his dad money, a normal boyfriend and the finder of the snitch infiltrating his father’s organization.

Max Casella made the entire book enjoyable. He nailed that New York/Italian accent that sucked you into the story line. I found myself laughing my ass off the whole way through this story. I am not saying it is the best thing I have ever read, but Max Casella made an okay book an awesome book.

Posted in YA Book Reviews

A Monster Calls

Posted on by Little Bee

A monster calls

5 out of 5 stars. Seriously.

I don’t have a single negative thing I can say about this book. It was beautifully written. Surprisingly unexpected in the best way possible. I refuse to give a summary, because it gives away the beauty of the unexpected.

I will say this, it has been a long time since anything (book, person, event) has pulled out that kind of emotional output from me. I have read quite a few books lately that has really tugged my heart strings, but this book didn’t just tug. It yanked and broke my heart strings, ripping my heart right out from my chest. And I would read it again. And Again. And again.

This book deals with the topic of letting go and understanding in a way I have never experienced. There are moments in my life that I wish I had this particular story to help me through things. I am glad I finally checked it off of my to-read list. This is a book you definitely should buy. Not borrow, not buy the e-book, but the actual book. It is one of those books that needs shared and re-read often.

Who knew we could gather such strength and understanding from our own monsters?

Posted in YA Book Reviews

Eleanor & Park

Posted on by Little Bee

eleanor-and-park

I can’t give this book a rating. There are parts that definitely deserve a 5, but there are parts that deserve much less.  For a while, I kept seeing this book on my Goodreads news feed, all my friends were reading and enjoying it. This is a group read for my group on Goodreads (Book-A-Holics, Not So Anonymous) for January, so I finally said “alright….”

I was instantly sucked into the story of Eleanor and Park’s growing love. From the moment they saw each other, avoided each other, hated each other…to the I need to touch her, I need to be near her…This is not your traditional YA love story. This has all the nitty, gritty, issues of teenage angst. Oh high school…how I miss you….NOT. Rainbow Rowell really lets it out in Eleanor & Park. Completely uncensored, teenage romance. Complete with your popular bullies, your jocks, mean girls, abusive step-dads, broken homes, broken dreams, punk and a whole lot of cultural diversity..circa 1986 in good ‘ol Nebraska.

Honestly, I am not even sure how to write this review. This book left me feeling empty. I went through my ENTIRE day upset. I kept wondering…”am I missing chapters?” I kept remembering how I felt by the end of Looking for Alaska by John Greene. That one book by Greene almost ruined him as an author for me. (I gave him one more shot with The Fault in Our Stars and if you haven’t read it…do! Now! Like go to the store and GET IT NOW). I don’t like that books just, end. Like one chapter everyone is happy and then in the course of a few pages, it hits the fan and ends. Everyone is gone. Everyone is broken. Like my heart. My heart has been broken. Rainbow Rowell engrossed me, tantalized me, made sweet sweet love to me as a reader and then beat me up and left me to cry on the ground all bloody and bruised and just walked off without looking back. That is how I have felt all day. This look of utter confusion and “wtf” moments whenever I thought about it. But then I start to think, Eleanor mentions how she never wants there to be an after. That if her and Park do not make it, she just wants it to end. So she can remember him as the perfection he was. Just end. And that is what this story did. Ended.