A Bookworm's Report (#3)

Book Review for...

Unwind

Neal Shusterman

Summary: Set in the future, the second civil war is fought over abortion. To end the war, a compromise is reached that ends the practice of abortion but creates an alternative called "unwinding." Between the ages of 13 and 17, parents or guardians can choose to have their children unwound, which involves having every part of their bodies harvested to be "donated" to another person so, technically, they don't really die. The complex and compelling plot follows three teens whose stories intertwine when they escape while on their way to the harvest camps. 

I have two weaknesses in books: Tudor England and Dystopian fiction. This book fell into the latter category and it was well written. As the summary explained, it follows three teenagers and while that sometimes can be difficult - to separate yet keep each character important and unique - Neal Shusterman wound everything together seamlessly and kept the story gripping.

Before Unwind, I haven’t heard of the plot before so I believe it to be original. And boy, what an idea! You would think, reading the summary, that it’s silly to think any society would allow such a thing to happen but while reading, you understand where the idea came from and why the adults believe this to be ok and more importantly, needed.

The most disturbing part of the book was witnessing the process of being unwound from a kid’s view. That chapter was amazingly well-written. It horrified me and gave me great sorrow.

I would recommend this book to anyone. It’s a YA novel but it’s clever enough to keep any adult entertained, I think. Also, it’s part of a series and at the time of writing this, there are 3 books with another being released next year. I haven’t read any of the others but it’s not a lack of want. These will be on my Christmas wishlist and I hope I can continue the story in the unsettling world Neal Shusterman has created.

A Bookworm's Report (#2)

Book Review for...

Secrets of the Tudor Court: The Pleasure Palace

Kate Emerson

Summary: Eight-year-old Jane Popyncourt travels with her mother from France to the English court of Henry VII. She is raised with the royal children, teaching them French. When her mother dies unexpectedly, Jane is left with no money, but becomes a favorite of Princess Mary, whom she serves. Learning since childhood the treacherous ways of court life and the temperamental nature of the Tudors, she strives to please those around her until a French prisoner captures her attention. The Duc de Longueville, a handsome married man, stirs Jane. She starts an affair with him to the dismay of her friends and the delight of the new king, Henry VIII. He uses Jane as a spy, a mission that causes friction, but a role that also may help her solve the mystery of her mother’s death. Emerson creates a riveting historical novel of the perils of the Tudor Court, vividly fictionalizing historical characters and breathing new life into their personalities and predicaments. 

I love Tudor England and have read dozens of books, both fiction and non-fiction, around this time era. I enjoyed this book for the different view it gave me into the world of the Tudors. The title seemed rather misleading and, I think, silly for what the story is really about.

Jane was a bit difficult to figure out. The book was through Jane's eyes and through this we were able to glance into the world of the early Tudor court and the politics surrounding this royal family. However, I would have liked to know mre about Jane. The book spent so much time observing the other characters that it didn't shine very much light into Jane's feelings or personal life. Which left her feeling hollow and paper doll-ish.

There was just the righ dash of scandal and intrigue to keep you from wanting to put the book down. When reading historial fiction, I have become used to the stretch authors take to keep the story entertaining but I feel that Kate Emerson might have stretched too thin to come up with her neat and tidy ending, with events that made me want to roll my eyes!

Again, I love Tudor England so I read this through and enjoyed myself. Emerson adds great details to capture your attention which makes it easy to just fall into the story and never want to leave. A very enjoyable book!

A Bookworm's Report (#1)

Book Review for...

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Sophie Kinsella

I saw a trailer for the movie a long time back and placed it on my 'To Watch' list. My movie list is pretty long and I never get around to watching half the movies on there. Thank goodness for that because, as it always happens, the book was better than the movie. Far better. I didn't know it was even a book until I happened across it at the local thrift store. Paperback for 59 cents! I love thrift shopping.

I read Confessions of a Shopaholic over the course of a few days. Having read a series that took an entire summer for me to muddle through, I was looking for something light and fun. When I found this shoved up near the top of my bookshelf, I thought it would do the trick. It reminded me slightly of Bridget Jones.

As long as you go into this book knowing it's silly and not deep discussion literature  you will be fine. I had seen a lot of negative reviews stating something along these lines and I don't understand how anyone could see this and think they would find deep, intricate characters. You won't. 

Rebecca Bloomwood is a character that I thoroughly enjoyed. Her descriptions of shopping and the absolute need for having something, her imagination on the series of events on what will happen from purchasing that object is just brilliant. I am not a hardcore clothing/beauty/girly shopper, but I wanted to rush out quite a few times and go shopping. "Yes!" I shout in my mind, "I need these things! Need them!" It's quite like the infomercials in the dead of night. At any other time, you can see how ridiculous it would be to purchase HD Night Vision Goggles or a Chillow or even a Booty Belt. (These exist.) But when you are up at 3am and watching someone try to sell you this... it makes perfect sense to have it.

The story line was engaging and fun. I enjoyed the characters and roles they played in Becky's life. Some things were a bit of a stretch but again, this is a summer paperback. You expect to find those hidden within the main story.

It was only within the last couple of pages that I started to become disappointed. I felt that the ending was cleaned up too neatly and it all went extremely fast. I think that some characters seemed to be two completely different people all within the space of 10 pages. I would have liked things to slowly come to a close so that I could read along and close that book cover with a satisfying pat. Instead, I was raced along and jolted to a halt. Turning blank pages at the end waiting for more.

Which, having found out this is part of a series, I suppose I could be content with the knowledge that more is out there waiting for me to get to it. But I'm not. I like a comfortable ending and this... seemed like a book had been torn in half and I was only given part of it.

Would I recommend this? Yes. For a light-hearted toss of a few pages, it was enjoyable and well worth the time. Endings are tricky and I am sure my nagging for a better tie-up is mostly personal and a small thought in the collective as Confessions of a Shopaholic has received 4/5 stars on Amazon at the time of writing this. I can come away from this book saying I had a great time within its pages.

Bath & Body Works = Love

Today, while out and about, I decided to stop by Bath & Body Works as they were having a County Fair Event Sale. Who doesn’t love a sale? And Bath & Body Works always has great ones! I didn’t splurge very much but I did purchase a new scent that I thought to share with you.

I would like to say that I have this odd quirk of wearing one scent for each season. For the past two summers, I have worm Coconut Lime (BBW) and Princess by Vera Wang. Spring? Love Spell (VS) and Paris Amour (BBW). In Autumn, I have always stuck with a pumpkin scent as Autumn = All Things PUMPKIN. This year, I decided to venture out of my comfortable pumpkin shell (hah) and try something new. The sale gave me a wonderful shove in that direction.

Aspen Caramel Woods is such a gorgeous scent! By its description, it teases you with “juicy plum, white Aspen woods and whipped caramel wrapped in Bourbon vanilla and jasmine blossom”. It has a fantastic mixture of warmth and sweetness to it which seems to balance perfectly. I am not a fan of “bakery shop” smells so I was hesitant to even try this as it has caramel in its name. In fact, I wouldn't have even sampled it if not for the fact that I was feeling adventurous. Goes to show you to look outside your box in all things!

Having bought the fragrance mist and body spray, I will most definitely use these well! I only wish Bath & Body Works had body sprays with longer staying power. I had spritzed myself twice over the course of the day to keep the scent going. But it’s such a treat when I do! I think this may be my favorite new scent in a long while.

And by the by, with the sale today, I bought the fragrance mist and body wash ($25 value) for a total of $10!

Do you have a favorite perfume/spray that you like to wear during this time of year? Please share, I’d like to hear from you!