Feature and Follow Friday #49 Songs

Feature & Follow Friday is a weekly meme that allows book bloggers to interact with each other and find new blogs! It has two hosts, Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. The rules are...
 
(Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
(Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers
Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
If you’re new to the follow Friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog.

  This Week's Question:

Share the song you can't stop listening to - Suggested by Journey Through Fiction

Kristine's Answer

This is actually an easy question for me to answer because there are two songs that I can't seem to get enough of. Normally I tend to gravitate towards older songs but these ones are current. Having said that, I can listen to any song by Chicago and never get sick of them!

I'm Not the Only One by Sam Smith

and

Life of the Party by Shawn Mendes

and an honorable mention for this one with Sarah McLachlan and Pink that gives me goosebumps!

 

Terri's Answer

This has got to be one of the most difficult questions for me to answer.  I am the girl who is dueting with my husband in the car at full volume every chance I can get (watch out if we have the 80's station on!). I will try to narrow it down but there are so many choices

The first is Just Give Me A Reason By Pink ft. Nate Ruess.  Seriously who doesn't love Pink.  This is currently my ring tone because I get a lot of calls and can hear it over and over

Second is When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars.  Just a beautiful song and currently my ringtone for when my husband calls me.  Just in case he ever gets out of line

Honorable Mention goes to...

• Marry Me by Train - hopefully my nieces wedding song up the isle when her time comes
• Roar by Katy Perry - A good female empowerment song
• Nothings Gonna Stop Us by Starship - My favorite song in the 6th grade
• Say Something by Great Big World - because it is a beautiful song
• Almost any song by The Black Eyed Peas - Reminds me of road trips with my sister

I could go on and on and on..I'll stop now but this hasn't even cracked the surface.

What song can you listen to over and over?

That is our Feature and Follow Friday for this week! Comment down below if you're a new follower of ours with a link to your blog and we will make sure to follow you back. You can follow us via gfc, bloglovin, email, facebook and/or twitter. 

 

Review: The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

In 1956, Stevens, a long-serving butler at Darlington Hall, decides to take a motoring trip through the West Country. The six-day excursion becomes a journey into the past of Stevens and England, a past that takes in fascism, two world wars and an unrealised love between the butler and his housekeeper. Ishiguro’s dazzling novel is a sad and humorous love story, a meditation on the condition of modern man, and an elegy for England at a time of acute change.

Paperback, 320 pages

Published August 26th 2014 by Vintage Canada (first published 1988) 

Genre: Literary Fiction

Kristine's Thoughts:

I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.

I had to sit and ponder for a while before attempting to write my thoughts on this book. The emotions I felt left me kind of confused as to whether I liked the book or not. In the end, I decided that the fact that I was feeling emotions in respect to this book meant that I did in fact enjoy it.

This story is about Mr. Stevens, a proper English butler, who embarks on a road trip in the later years of his career. Told through the first person, he reminisces about his glory years as a butler while heading to visit an old employee in the hopes of her returning to service.

The story is more about what isn't written than what is. As the reader we are able to see and understand what Mr. Stevens does not and it was this aspect that made me sad. In his quest to be exceptional at his job and serve with "dignity" he missed out on the little joys that were right under his nose. As he reflects on his past through different stories of events that happened at Darlington Hall it is apparent that his awareness grows somewhat throughout the pages. Hindsight is a glorious thing.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the inner workings of a great English home of the past. The story is subtle and sometimes dry but at the same time there are great moments to be found. I don't want to say much more for I fear I will give things away but I was left feeling very sad for Mr. Stevens at the end. I think it was in the final chapters and with his meeting with Miss Kenton that made me feel this way. It is not that I was disappointed in the ending because I wasn't, it was in Mr. Stevens reflections and final awareness that made me feel that way.

Over all it was a solid, well written book that I thoroughly enjoyed.

About the Author

Kazuo Ishiguro (カズオ・イシグロ or 石黒 一雄) is a British novelist of Japanese origin. His family moved to England in 1960. Ishiguro obtained his Bachelor's degree from University of Kent in 1978 and his Master's from the University of East Anglia's creative writing course in 1980. He became a British citizen in 1982. He now lives in London.
His first novel, A Pale View of Hills won the 1982 Winifred Holtby Memorial Prize. His second novel, An Artist of the Floating World won the 1986 Whitbread Prize. Ishiguro received the 1989 Man Booker prize for his third novel The Remains of the Day. His fouth novel, The Unconsoled won the 1995 Cheltenham Prize.
His novels: An Artist of the Floating World (1986), When We Were Orphans (2000), Never Let Me Go(2005) were all shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.

 

Review: The Intern by Gabrielle Tozer

Funny, insightful and written with warmth and understanding, THE INTERN is for everyone who has had and survived the job from hell! Ages: 12+ Josie Browning dreams of having it all. A stellar academic record, an amazing career in journalism - and for her current crush to realise she actually exists. The only problem? Josie can't get through twenty-four hours without embarrassing her sister Kat or her best friend Angel, let alone herself. Josie's luck changes though when she lands an internship at the glossy fashion magazine Sash. A coveted columnist job is up for grabs, but Josie's got some tough competition in the form of two other interns. Battle lines are drawn and Josie quickly learns that the magazine industry is far from easy, especially under the reign of powerful editor, Rae Swanson. From the lows of coffee-fetching and working 10-hour days, to the highs of mingling with celebrities, scoring endless free beauty products (plus falling for her cousin's seriously gorgeous flatmate James) this is one year Josie will never forget. Totally fresh and funny, this debut novel from industry insider Gabrielle Tozer reveals just what is behind the seeming glamour and sparkle of the magazine industry.

Paperback, 336 Pages
Expected Publication:  October 14th 2014 by HarperCollins

Terri's Thoughts

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher HarperCollins via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  The publication date is October 14th 2014.

This was a really entertaining read targeted to the YA audience.  I found myself really enjoying it as I read through it and I am not sure if I will be able to express it in my thoughts here.

This was a really cute story about a girl who was trying to find her way in life.  Add to it the fact that she was slightly (and humorously) awkward and was still trying to figure out who she was.  Stick her in an environment that is completely outside of her comfort zone and you have a very entertaining read.

I refuse to give any type of spoilers when discussing the stories I read so I will leave the plot to be discovered by the reader.  What I will say is that I can see how this story will resonate with the YA audience.  It covers topics of self image, insecurity and bullying in a superficially focused world; all topics which are real issues for the YA generation.  It touches these topics without making it sound like a lecture but woven within a story that will keep their attention.  I think this in itself is part of the reason I enjoyed this so much.

To  ensure that it captures the interest of all, there is also the topic of boys and falling for someone.  The story of Josie and James was very tastefully done.  I would also say it was realistic.  Two people do not meet and fall instantly in love.  Real life gets in the way and I liked how I was kept guessing with "will they or won't they get together?"

I really enjoyed this read and I will be sure to read more from Tozer.  It appears that there may be a sequel to this book and I am anxious to get my hands on it!

About the Author

Gabrielle Tozer is an author, journalist and editor from Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. In the past 12 years, she’s written for numerous titles, such as Cosmopolitan, DOLLY, Girlfriend, Bride To Be, TV WEEK, news.com.au and The Canberra Times. 
Now based in the heart of Sydney, Gabrielle has also worked as a managing editor, deputy editor, chief sub-editor and copywriter for Bauer Media, Pacific Magazines and HOYTS Cinema. Her YA novel The Intern is out now and the sequel Faking It hits shelves in mid-December. She is currently working on her third book with HarperCollins.

Website:  http://www.gabrielletozer.com
Twitter:  gabrielletozer
 Instagram:  instagram.com/gabrielletozer

Review: Last Train to Babylon by Charlee Fam

Who put the word fun in funeral? I can’t think of anything fun about Rachel’s funeral, except for the fact that she won’t be there.

Aubrey Glass has a collection of potential suicide notes—just in case. And now, five years—and five notes—after leaving her hometown, Rachel’s the one who goes and kills herself. Aubrey can’t believe her luck.

But Rachel’s death doesn’t leave Aubrey in peace. There’s a voicemail from her former friend, left only days before her death that Aubrey can’t bring herself to listen to—and worse, a macabre memorial-turned-high-school reunion that promises the opportunity to catch up with everyone… including the man responsible for everything that went wrong between she and Rachel.

In the days leading up to the funeral and infamous after party, Aubrey slips seamlessly between her past and present. Memories of friendship tangle with painful new encounters while underneath it all Aubrey feels the rush of something closing in, something she can no longer run from. And when the past and present collide in one devastating night, nothing will be the same again.

But facing the future means confronting herself and a shattering truth. Now, Aubrey must decide what will define her: what lies behind… or what waits ahead.

Kindle Edition, 352 pages

Expected publication: October 28th 2014 by William Morrow Paperbacks 

Kristine's Thoughts:

I received an ARC from William Morrow Paperbacks via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

I don't even know how to begin describing this book. The first few pages gave me a fairly good idea that I was in for an extremely interesting and dark story. In fact, it was so powerful that it's what kept me glued to the pages because I wanted needed to know how Aubrey got to that point.

This is a story of relationships both past and present and how they define Aubrey as a person. It weaves back and forth between past and present to tell the story and explain the complex relationship she had with Rachel. I knew that something big happened that would explain the broken friendship and Aubrey's obnoxious behaviour but I didn't know what. Each chapter brought me a little closer to answers and kept me turning the pages.

Before I say anything else I do need to make one thing clear. The characters are not very likeable in this book. At times they are down right discusting and hard to take. Normally this would turn me off a book but in this case I think it made the story stronger. In life when terrible things happen to us, our behaviour is not always acceptable or pleasant and this was the case with Aubrey. She was not an overly nice person, did terrible things and was cold and distant. Her behaviour actually made me want to read more because I knew that there had to be a story to explain it or make me understand it even if I didn't approve of it.

Ultimatley this is a story of choices, mistakes, events and misunderstandings that happen during an impressionable time in a Aubrey's life that lead her on the path she takes. It is dark and gritty in a honest and heartbreaking way. I think the story would not have been so compelling had Aubrey been more likeable. It would have seemed fake and feel like an after school special. I applaud Fam for penning a realistic and not so pretty angle of what can happen to someone in her situation.

This was an extremely well written, engaging and easy to read book and it is hard to believe that it is Fam's debute novel. I anxiously await what she will come out with next.

About the Author

Charlee Fam is a twenty-something novelist living in New York City. A native of Long Island, she graduated from Binghamton University in 2010 with a degree in creative writing and several awards to her name. She recently transitioned from a short stint in journalism to the wonderful (and less stressful) world of public relations. Last Train to Babylon is her first novel.

Review: The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens

College student Joe Talbert has the modest goal of completing a writing assignment for an English class. His task is to interview a stranger and write a brief biography of the person. With deadlines looming, Joe heads to a nearby nursing home to find a willing subject. There he meets Carl Iverson, and soon nothing in Joe's life is ever the same.

Iverson is a dying Vietnam veteran--and a convicted murderer. With only a few months to live, he has been medically paroled to a nursing home, after spending thirty years in prison for the crimes of rape and murder.

As Joe writes about Carl's life, especially Carl's valor in Vietnam, he cannot reconcile the heroism of the soldier with the despicable acts of the convict. Joe, along with his skeptical female neighbor, throws himself into uncovering the truth, but he is hamstrung in his efforts by having to deal with his dangerously dysfunctional mother, the guilt of leaving his autistic brother vulnerable, and a haunting childhood memory. 

Thread by thread, Joe unravels the tapestry of Carl’s conviction. But as he and Lila dig deeper into the circumstances of the crime, the stakes grow higher. Will Joe discover the truth before it’s too late to escape the fallout?

Paperback, 300 pages
Expected publication date: October 14, 2014 by Seventh Street Books

Terri's Thoughts

**I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher Seventh Street Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  The expected publication date is October 14 2014**

This is one of those stories that will appeal to reader of various genres.  It has a little bit of everything in it.  A touch of mystery, a dash of romance, some suspense and a heartwarming story of family and it's struggles.

To me the highlight was the discovery of Carl's story as Joe uncovers the events that led up to the night of the murder.  I love when you learn bits and pieces of a character and it all builds to a completed package.  This story delivers in that aspect.

While some of the actions Joe takes throughout the story are a little bit unbelievable it does not diminish the fact that this is a good read.  I could have done without the suspense aspect myself however I can see how many may have found the story to dull without it.  I thought that the story of Carl and the backstory of Joe's dysfunctional mother and autistic brother was enough to carry the story.

Altogether I will be recommending this story as an entertaining read  that can be appreciated across the genres lines.

About the Author

Allen Eskens grew up in the wooded hills of Missouri and, after high school, migrated north to pursue his education. He acquired a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Minnesota, and a Juris Doctorate from Hamline University School of Law. While he toiled as a practicing attorney in Mankato, Minnesota he spent his spare time honing his creative writing skills in the M.F.A. program at Minnesota State University and took numerous classes at the Iowa Summer Writing Festival and the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. The Life We Bury is Allen's debut offering.
 Website:  http://www.alleneskens.com

Review: Innocent by Callie James

Will Moore has been Missy Jamison's best friend for years, and until recently, she hadn't considered going "there" with him for fear of losing the only relationship she trusts. But senior year is almost over and dating other people hasn't worked out, not with Missy's crazy home life constantly pushing her further into Will's safer world, making her attraction to her BFF more difficult to ignore.

When a forgery incident at school lands Missy under house arrest and banned from spending time with Will, she's unable to ignore her dysfunctional home life any longer. In a desperate attempt for self-preservation, Missy finds herself back with Will and this time things are different.

But the direct violation of her mother’s edict proves the perfect catalyst to push her pill-popping mother over the edge and Missy's home life past the point of no return. Now her only chance for normalcy will require Missy to ask herself if staying silent for so many years was truly about protecting herself from her past, or more about protecting a mother who never protected her.

Kindle Edition, 310 pages

Published July 13th 2014 by Callie James
Genre: Young Adult

Kristine's Thoughts

I received a copy of this book directly from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

This is the second book by Callie James that I have read and I have to say that I am pleased to add a new author to my list of ones to watch for. Although this book is marketed as young adult, I found that there was more depth, rawness and honesty than found in a lot that I have read from this genre. You could say that this book is a romance (because it technically is) but it is a whole lot more. Innocent not only deals with the trials and tribulations of young love but also some complex and serious issues. Although I don't want to give anything away, I will say that the seriousness of these issues are not sugar coated or glorified and I felt that James was spot on in capturing the emotions involved.

Both Missy and Will were wonderful characters to get to know. The idea of best friends falling for each other is not an original concept but I felt that with the plot and the character development it was. I think the fact that the story dealt with a lot more than just teenage hormones gave it a powerful punch. Make no mistake, this book is not a sweet and fluffy romance. In fact, it is somewhat dark. It made me angry, it made me sad but at the same time there were also moments of humour and satisfaction. Basically the book provides the reader with a roller coaster of emotions which, in my opinion, makes for a great read.

I feel the need to mention two things in the story that captivated me and left me emotionally glued to the story. It will probably make no sense until you read it for yourself but then you will have that aha! moment.

1. When Missy looks at Will's journal
2. The scene at Missy's house with Alan and Vernie

I'll leave it at that but you will definitely know what I'm talking about when you read it!

Innocent is a well written story with some great characters as well as some that you will love to hate. It is an easy, page turning story full of emotions that I am sure readers of all ages will enjoy. There is some sexual content that may not be appropriate for the real young fans of this genre but other than that I feel that age is not an issue with reading this book.


Check out my review for Student Bodyguard for Hire by Callie James

About the Author

I spent the first three decades of my life in Portland, Oregon, before picking up everything and moving to the South for much needed sunshine and a change of pace.

When I'm not reading or penning young adult novels, I'm absorbed in all things supernatural, fantasy and sci-fi. Most recently, I've become hopelessly addicted to the BBC and anime.

My husband and I are also very devoted to our numerous adopted animals.

Connect with Callie

Website/Twitter/Goodreads

Review: Sublime by Christina Lauren

True love may mean certain death in a ghostly affair of risk and passion from New York Times bestselling duo Christina Lauren, authors ofBeautiful Bastard. Tahereh Mafi, New York Times bestselling author ofShatter Me calls Sublime “a beautiful, haunting read".

When Lucy walks out of a frozen forest, wearing only a silk dress and sandals, she isn’t sure how she got there. But when she sees Colin, she knows for sure that she’s here for him.

Colin has never been captivated by a girl the way he is by Lucy. With each passing day their lives intertwine, and even as Lucy begins to remember more of her life—and her death—neither of them is willing to give up what they have, no matter how impossible it is. And when Colin finds a way to physically be with Lucy, taking himself to the brink of death where his reality and Lucy’s overlap, the joy of being together for those brief stolen moments drowns out everything in the outside world. But some lines weren’t meant to be crossed…

ebook, 336 pages

Expected publication: October 14th 2014 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Terri's Thoughts

**I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review**

I was really excited for this story.  I love a good ghost story and this is exactly what the story is.  The story of young love with the added element of having one of the young lovers being dead.

This story progressed nicely with the introduction of the two and their subsequent love story.  Some questions were answered along the way such as what happened to Lucy and other were not such as why she was there.  The story kept building to a potential conclusion on how the star crossed lovers could make their love enduring BUT...

This part of my thoughts will be difficult without including any spoilers so I will try my best.  The story did not conclude the way I expected.  Not that a story must but to me it simply did not make complete sense.  There were many unanswered questions that left the story a little short for me and to be honest a little too easy.  I just didn't get it.  I think I knew what emotion was trying to be conveyed, I just didn't feel it.  To me it felt like a roller coaster where you are building you way to the top of the first big drop however it sat at the top without the drop.  I wasn't pulled in like I wanted to be.

I would say that I was really engaged for the first half of the book however became less so in the second half.  I would have experienced a more emotional connection with the characters if their story had more answered questions and the end built to a more logical conclusion.  If there was more in the body of the story the conclusion would have been perfect.

Although I appear to be critical this was a nice read that helped me pass the time.  I can see how many will enjoy it and I didn't dislike it.  I was just hoping that it would have "haunted" me more on an emotional level.

About The Author

Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners/besties/soulmates/brain-twins Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction, and together has produced seven New York Times bestselling novels. Their books have been translated into 22 languages. (Some of these books have kissing. Some of these books have A LOT of kissing.)

Website:  http://www.christinalaurenbooks.com/

Twitter:  seeCwrite, lolashoes