The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes

The Kevinian cult has taken everything from seventeen-year-old Minnow: twelve years of her life, her family, her ability to trust. And when she rebelled, they took away her hands, too.

Now their Prophet has been murdered and their camp set aflame, and it's clear that Minnow knows something—but she's not talking. As she languishes in juvenile detention, she struggles to un-learn everything she has been taught to believe, adjusting to a life behind bars and recounting the events that led up to her incarceration. But when an FBI detective approaches her about making a deal, Minnow sees she can have the freedom she always dreamed of—if she’s willing to part with the terrible secrets of her past.

AMAZON LINK: http://amzn.to/29vNmq2

MY THOUGHTS:

5/5 STARS

My heart is ready to burst... It takes a lot for me to be awestruck by a book, but with this one, it was simple. The words wrapped around me and pulled me deep within the soul of the story. Minow Bly captured my every thought and even after the final page, I still didn't want to let go. Her story was tragic, yet inspirational. She grew up knowing only what she was told and when she ends up in juvie everything she knows quickly surfaces as lies. Her mind is opened up to possibilities she never thought possible. Her new prison symbolizes freedom and a new start. She finds friendships in a place that should be depressing and dark. She finds answers she craves and learns to talk through her brutal past in order to set herself free. 

It's a dark and twisted tale about cult life. I mean the girl's hands are cut off! She is held captive with whacko theories in her brain. Her only escape is Jude and escaping into his arms is a similar prison. He wants to protect her, but doesn't realize that by doing so he is also holding her back from freedom. He has a dark past with secrets that will wreck your heart. He believes is a solace life in the woods and fears the town. He wants them to live a life together secluded from all other humanity. Minnow craves something more though... When she meets Angel, she finally starts to see a future through all of the smoke. 

I'm not even sure how to summarize this book without saying that everyone just needs to read it. There are so many unpredictable twists and turns that my brain was swarmed with multiple possibilities. I wasn't sure how everything was going to turn out, but I felt a weight lift off my chest near the end. The story just kind of danced off the pages into beautiful bliss. Minnow finds peace in her own way and even though I still had questions, my heart was content. I definitely urge all to read this one and if you have similar recommendation please let me know! 

Paper Hearts by Meg Wiviott

A novel in verse, Paper Hearts is the story of survivial, defiance, and friendship. Based on historical events about a group of girls who were slave laborers at the munitions factory in Auschwitz.

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1RNlTtD

MY REVIEW:

5/5 STARS

This was a poignant tale about survival, fear, hope, and friendship. Emotions seeped from the pages and deep rooted sympathy filled my soul. 

It was about two girls that ended up at Auschwitz and found friendship in one another. Vlatka and Fania were pulled from their homes and sent to a work camp filled with ugly hatred and brutal punishment. Both lost family and both craved freedom. Together they protected one another and helped instill hope in their hearts. Vlatka found strength in her purple blouse that cost a whole days ration and Fania found strength in a paper heart filled with encouragement. Both pieces were banned, but both girls would not let go. In the end it was the simple things, friendship, and bravery that carried them home. 

My heart was truly touched by this book. I found the brutality to be inspiring. It really made me feel appreciative and blessed for the most simple of things. I looked at my pen and paper completely differently. It no longer was just a piece of tree and an ink cylinder. It was a sliver of hope and power. A way to tell a historic story that should be shouted from the rooftops. I found the words insightful and important. I wanted to jump into the story and wrap my arms around the girls. I wanted to tell them how brave they were and how inspiring their story was. To know this was based on a true story just makes it that much more enthralling. I highly recommend it to every reader. This is a piece of history we should immerse ourselves in in order to always be reminded of how truly blessed we are...

The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

In Alaska, 1970, being a teenager here isn’t like being a teenager anywhere else. This deeply moving and authentic debut is for fans of Rainbow Rowell, Louise Erdrich, Sherman Alexie, and Benjamin Alire Saenz. Intertwining stories of love, tragedy, wild luck, and salvation on the edge of America’s Last Frontier introduce a writer of rare talent.

 

Ruth has a secret that she can’t hide forever. Dora wonders if she can ever truly escape where she comes from, even when good luck strikes. Alyce is trying to reconcile her desire to dance, with the life she’s always known on her family’s fishing boat. Hank and his brothers decide it’s safer to run away than to stay home—until one of them ends up in terrible danger.

 

Four very different lives are about to become entangled. This unforgettable book is about people who try to save each other—and how sometimes, when they least expect it, they succeed. 

Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock was born and raised in Alaska. She worked many years fishing commercially with her family and as a reporter for Alaska Public Radio stations around the state. She was also the host and producer of “Independent Native News,” a daily newscast produced in Fairbanks, focusing on Alaska Natives, American Indians, and Canada’s First Nations. Her writing is inspired by her family’s four generations in Alaska. 

Amazon -> http://amzn.to/21CftDi

MY THOUGHTS:

4/5 STARS

I received this one prior to it's release and sadly just got to it yesterday! It could have been the title holding me back or the massive TBR pile, but I finally read it and did so in just one day. It was an awesome short read that had powerful words, inspiring metaphors, and a storyline that made me open my eyes, heart, and mind.

Each character played an intricate role in the overall picture. It was intriguing to follow their lives and put the pieces together to see how they were all connected. I felt for each character in a different way... Whether it was the fact they didn't have a strong family structure or that they were left to deal with life on their own at an age you need someone most... Each story pulled me in and captured my heart. 

It's a book filled with emotion, broken hearts, tragedy, hope, and new beginnings. It is rich in Alaskan feels and vivid in overall atmosphere. The Author did an excellent job making me feel like I was in the story. I could feel the bitter cold on my face and the wind rip through my hair as they floated on top of the water. I felt romance bloom, friendships thrive, and families mend. It was truly a unique story that kept me glued to the pages.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book and the change of pace it provided. The title was a tad odd to me, but in the end I understood the meaning behind it and could relate in more ways than one. 

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

Dill has had to wrestle with vipers his whole life—at home, as the only son of a Pentecostal minister who urges him to handle poisonous rattlesnakes, and at school, where he faces down bullies who target him for his father’s extreme faith and very public fall from grace.

He and his fellow outcast friends must try to make it through their senior year of high school without letting the small-town culture destroy their creative spirits and sense of self. Graduation will lead to new beginnings for Lydia, whose edgy fashion blog is her ticket out of their rural Tennessee town. And Travis is content where he is thanks to his obsession with an epic book series and the fangirl turning his reality into real-life fantasy.

Their diverging paths could mean the end of their friendship. But not before Dill confronts his dark legacy to attempt to find a way into the light of a future worth living. 

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1QCUE98

MY THOUGHTS:
5/5 Stars

*Thank you for the ARC Penguin Random House*

It's like a game of Jenga... With each word you pull out a block and slowly feel the build up of something big about to happen. The tower starts leaning and eventually it comes crumbling down. More words rebuild the tower and the story finds a beginning from an end. That sums up The Serpent King. It is felt deep within the soul and opens your heart in ways you never knew possible. 

The story is about three friends. Three different individuals, with three different home lives. One is privileged and popular on the internet.  One is abused by his drunk father and one has a tainted name. Together they work through their insecurities and push each other to reach for the stars. It's not always easy though. To be honest, it's punch in the gut. Some of the scenes will grasp your heart and have you gasping for air. I couldn't believe the ups and downs and how real each vivid scene felt. In some twisted way I felt connected to the characters. I could feel their personalities seep from the pages and I could just picture their stance and attitude with each word exchanged. Friendship is the theme, but trust, love, honesty, grief, hope, and anger all play a part in the story of Lydia, Dil, and Travis. 

I applaud the Author because the subjects (bullying, abuse, tough home life, suicide, death, first love) in this story are done a lot, but he took them and made them his own. Each one is thoroughly exposed and touched on with grit and pose. Nothing is sugar coated and for that I am thankful. To say I enjoyed this story is an understatement. I feel like this should be a mandated high school read. It's a book that opens your eyes to the bad and pushes you to find good.

If I Should Die Before I Wake by Han Nolan Review

Hilary hates Jews. As part of a neo-Nazi gang in her town, she's finally found a sense of belonging. But when she's critically injured in an accident, everything changes.
Somehow, in her mind, she has become Chana, a Jewish girl fighting for her own life in the ghettos and concentration camps of World War II.
Han Nolan offers powerful insight into one young woman's survival through the Holocaust and another's journey out of hatred and self-loathing.
Reader's guide and an interview with the author included.

 

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1KbeS3d

 

MY THOUGHTS:4/5 Stars

 

If you love reading about World War 2 then you most definitely need to read this one! It was a story about two girls that were connected in a significant way, but neither knew it until the very end. One was in a coma and the other was at a working camp. They face their own battles, but lean on one another to escape the darkness. There was guilt... There was hope... There was weakness and there was courage like no other... 

 

If I Should Die Before I Wake was an intense story with graphic, painful moments that brought an abundance of feels. I literally got sick to my stomach while I was reading. The vivid scenes and the heart wrenching deaths pulled me right into the pages. I felt for Chana and wanted to be the one to guide her through the dark times. No matter how weak her body and mind were she always pushed through. She helped others and in the end found that faith was her guidance. Hilary was a tough character for me. She was unlikeable from the beginning, but grew on me as the bitterness faded. The more her life blended with Chana the more she changed for the better. By the end I felt just as connected to her.

 

Overall, I was blown away by the history within the words. The Author made it easy for us to imagine what each character was going through and it really messed with my thoughts. I could feel my moods change with the pages. It was really an all consuming read that opened my eyes to just what took place at Auschwitz.

 

I definitely recommend it to all the history buffs or just someone looking for a unique story with a vivid realness to it.

Hit by Lorie Ann Grover

After receiving a full-ride scholarship to Mills College for Girls, it appears Sarah's future is all laid out before her that is until she walks into a poetry class led by Mr. Haddings, a student teacher from the nearby University of Washington. Suddenly, life on the UW campus seems very appealing, and Sarah finds herself using her poetry journal to subtly declare her feelings for Haddings. Convinced Mr. Haddings is flirting back, she sets off for school in the rain with a poem in her back pocket one that will declare her feelings once and for all.

Mr. Haddings has noticed Sarah's attention; the fallout from any perceived relationship with a student is too great a risk, and he has decided to end all speculation that morning.

But everything changes when Mr. Haddings feels a thud on his front bumper when he glances away from the road, and finds Sarah in the street with blood pooling beneath her."

 

Amazon- http://amzn.to/1fuIGPi

 

MY THOUGHTS:
3/5 Stars

 

The cover pulled me towards this read and surprisingly, the story was pretty good. It takes place over 3 days so not much happens, but what does is emotional, thought provoking, and a tad romantic in a poetic way. The writing was good and I loved the switching of POVs.

 

It's about a girl who gets hits by a car. She comes to realize that the person who did it is the guy she's been crushing on. While she struggles with her romantic feelings, new looks, and physical injuries... she also has to decide if she wants to forgive or not. It's a journey of self discovery and finding light in a dark situation.

 

It kind of reminded me of If I Stay by Gayle Forman in the sense that she's in a hospital drifting in and out of consciousness. She is left broken and confused after the accident. It takes a lot of truth and love to piece her back together again. 

 

I thought the Author did a great job painting vivid pictures in our mind. It was intense and even heartbreaking at times. I'm not going to say it was a great read, but it's definitely an enjoyable, quick story that I recommend to all.

Charlie, Presumed Dead by Anne Heltzel

In Paris, family and friends gather to mourn the tragic passing of Charlie Price—young, handsome, charming, a world-traveler—who is presumed dead after an explosion. Authorities find only a bloodied jacket, ID’d as Charlie’s. At the funeral, two teens who are perfect strangers, Lena Whitney and Aubrey Boroughs, make another shocking discovery: they have both been dating Charlie, both think Charlie loved them and them alone, and there is a lot they didn’t know about their boyfriend. Over the next week, a mind-bending trip unfolds: first in London—then in Mumbai, Kerala, and Bangkok, the girls go in search of Charlie. Is he still alive? What did their love for him even mean? The truth is out there, but soon it becomes clear that the girls are harboring secrets of their own.

No one knows whom to trust in this thrilling tale of suspense and deception.

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1Ajlruy

MY THOUGHTS:
5/5 Stars

This one was a ticking time bomb just waiting to explode. We are sucked in at page one and quickly become tangled in the intricate weaved lies of Charlie. No one truly knows what's going on, but everyone knows it's not good. It's like a sick, twisted game of cat and mouse. Aubrey and Lena think the ball is in their court, but what they don't know is... Charlie is controlling every move they make. I expected a huge ending, but I never expected to have my mind blown. It was intense, gut wrenching, and left me begging for the next book.

I LOVED this book. I felt as though the story latched onto me and didn't let go until the very last word. Each scene painted a vivid picture in my mind and each emotion was felt deep within my soul. My heart ached for the characters and fear raced through my veins. I couldn't turn the pages quick enough. I was like an addict craving their drug of choice. The more I got, the more I wanted. Towards the ending though... when I knew it was going to get intense, I slowed my pace. I took my time to devour each word and prolonged the dreadful ending I knew to expect. Reading the last few chapters I could feel my heart pounding in my chest and my hands shaking a bit. I couldn't believe how it all played out. I even went back and reread the same pages to make sure I didn't miss something. It was truly a one of kind book with a one of a kind plot.

Yes there is a cliffhanger, but I promise that it is so worth it.
I highly recommend Charlie, Presumed Dead to all readers with a love for mystery and suspense!
It is one of my favorites of 2015 & deserves 6 Stars.

Jezebel by K. Larsen Review

30 years of affection.
10 years of soul shattering love.
8 years of happy employment.
2 months of turmoil.
1 week of truth.
A lifetime of betrayal.

Would you have seen it coming?

Annabelle Fortin landed herself in a bit of trouble. Mandated to community service at an assisted living facility for early onset dementia she meets Jezebel, one of the residents. This is the story that unfolds over the course of Annabelle's court ordered six month sentence. Nothing is what it seems.
AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1FWpdS4

 

MY THOUGHTS:
5 HUGE STARS

*I was provided an ARC for an honest review*
This book goes on my top reads of 2015 list. It was truly a beautiful, twisted masterpiece! Romance? Yes! Suspense? Yes! Mind F*? ABSOLUTELY.

 

With one page, I was addicted. The story quickly became my drug of choice. I think it's safe to say that this one is an epic read. It had that addictive feel that pulls a reader in and stays with them long after the last page. It was a story that was filled with characters that you love to hate. I was so conflicted on who to trust and what would happen in the end... The whole time I knew to expect something huge, but in all reality, the twist was MASSIVE. I'm talking jaw on the floor, eyes bulging HUGE! My ideas and thoughts were somewhat on track, but then again, so far away. I will tell you now... Everything you think you know will be tossed out the window with those last pages. It was one heck of an ending!

 

Looking back, I see how well crafted the book really was... It flowed flawlessly and kept you interested to the point of no skimming. Each and every word played an intricate role and I loved every bit of it... From the sweet romance, to the beautiful friendship. From the angst to the ultimate mind f*. It all filled my heart and made a happy reader.

 

I highly recommend this read to everyone that loves their books rich in thought with tons of depth.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of
those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

 

 

AMAZON LINK - http://amzn.to/1BFpORf

 

 
MY THOUGHTS:
4.5/5 Stars

A mix between The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Mystic City by Theo Lawrence...

I truly believe that this series will be the next craze. I haven't heard anything about a movie yet, but I will be waiting impatiently to hear those magic words. It definitely deserves it! The book was fast paced and all consuming. The Author transports us to a unique world and paints vivid pictures in our mind. It's almost as if the words are crawling off the pages right in front of our eyes. The plot wasn't always pretty, but the ugly is what created a magnificent story.

 

Red Queen was one of those books that just sucks you in from page one. I found myself addicted to the words and struggling with closing the book at a normal hour. I craved the ending and holy crap! I never expected such a huge plot twist. Can you say palm on head, jaw on the floor reaction? It was an epic betrayal and a total mind blower. I was mad, but it made the story that much better.

 

Overall, I recommend this book to readers of all ages. I applaud the Author and desperately beg for the next book.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson Review

Melinda Sordino busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops. Now her old friends won't talk to her, and people she doesn't even know hate her from a distance. The safest place to be is alone, inside her own head. But even that's not safe. Because there's something she's trying not to think about, something about the night of the party that, if she let it in, would blow her carefully constructed disguise to smithereens. And then she would have to speak the truth. This extraordinary first novel has captured the imaginations of teenagers and adults across the country.
AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1xssVfM


My Thoughts:

4/5 Stars
 

What do you do when something terrible happens, but the words won't leave your mouth to tell the truth?

 

This book is about just that...

 

Melinda was raped and no one knows what truly happened. All they know is she called the cops on the night of the party.

 

When she attends school it's as if she has the plague. Her old friends hate her and people who don't know her glare. She walks through the halls and cringes at the verbal abuse she receives. If only they knew the truth...

 

The story is a classic about just how cruel High School can be. Melinda has to let her guard down in order to Speak again.

 

Slowly she learns to let go by expressing herself through art. When the burden is off her shoulders, things go back to the way they were before... and justice is served.

 

I was captivated by Melinda's story. The things in the book are true actions that one may face in school. Everyone is so quick to judge, even if it's just hear say. To see what Melinda went through showed me how emotionally damaging bullying is. Many times she would hide or cry or even think about ending it all. No one should think such things... I wanted to scream at the people who treated her terribly. My heart ached for her.

 

This is a book that every person should read. It is a beautiful lesson about how tough life can be and how important it is to always speak the truth.

Other editions

Enlarge cover

           

 

Melinda Sordino busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops. Now her old friends won't talk to her, and people she doesn't even know hate her from a distance. The safest place to be is alone, inside her own head. But even that's not safe. Because there's something she's trying not to think about, something about the night of the party that, if she let it in, w

  

Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker Review

Just breathe, Kacey. Ten tiny breaths. Seize them. Feel them. Love them. Four years ago, Kacey Cleary’s life imploded when her car was hit by a drunk driver, killing her parents, boyfriend, and best friend. Still haunted by memories of being trapped inside, listening to her mother take her last breath, Kacey wants to leave her past behind. Armed with two bus tickets, Kacey and her fifteen-year-old sister, Livie, escape Grand Rapids, Michigan, to start over in Miami. They’re struggling to make ends meet at first, but Kacey’s not worried. She can handle anything—anything but her mysterious neighbor in apartment 1D.

Trent Emerson has smoldering blue eyes and deep dimples, and perfectly skates that irresistible line between nice guy and bad boy. Hardened by her tragic past, Kacey is determined to keep everyone at a distance, but their mutual attraction is undeniable, and Trent is desperate to find a way into Kacey’s guarded heart—even if it means revealing an explosive secret that could shatter both their worlds

AMAZON LINK: http://amzn.to/UGBtBU

 

My Thoughts:

5/5 Stars

 

What a beautiful heartbreaking story....

 

From the first page I was instantly sucked into an emotional rollercoaster ride.

 

The book is about a young woman who went through a tragic life event and is still holding it all in. She moves with her sister, escaping their previous life, but the nightmares continue to occur daily. When she meets her new neighbor, Trent, a relationship brews and Kacey puts her walls up, keeping him at arms length. She eventually lets him in and together they embark on a beautiful journey. What happens when Trent reveals his secrets and the truth is exposed?

 

I will forever favor this book. The writing was fantastic and the storyline was intense and real. While there was a love story, I was consumed in the family and friendships within this book. The Author did a great job making you feel like you were living in the characters shoes. It was a fast paced book packed with romance, mystery, emotions, and suspense.

 

I highly recommend this book.