Author: Veronica Porras (TTB)

I am a thirty-something living in Southern California. I blog about books, read, and live life as best as I can.
Editor Letter, To-Read

Etiquette for the End of the World by Jeanne Martinet

Veronica Porras (TTB)
Etiquette for the end of the World by Jeanne Martinet
Etiquette for the End of the World by Jeanne Martinet

Liza Dawson Associates has approved my request to receive a ebook copy of this book in exchange for a book review. I will be reading this after Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead. I’m really excited for this opportunity. Synopsis of the novel is below:

GoodReads Summary:

RULE #1: DON’T PANIC—IT ONLY ATTRACTS SHARKS

It’s not the end of the world. That’s what 39-year-old Tess Eliot has to remind herself after losing her newspaper column (“Tess Knows Best”) and being dumped by her boyfriend for a younger woman (a feng shui expert? Really?). Then Tess is hired to write an etiquette guide preparing readers for the Ancient Mayan doomsday of December 21, 2012, and she has to ask herself: Could the world really be coming to an end? At first, Tess fakes her way through chapters like “Boundaries in the Bunker” and “Cannibalism: Yes or No?” But after uncovering a secret plot for world destruction, she is forced to embark on a life-changing odyssey of her own—involving all-too-close encounters with touchy-feely survivalists, conspiracy theorists and one handsome guy who seems way too perfect.

Editor Letter, Random

Book Haul (Sort of)

Veronica Porras (TTB)

Good Evening!

Today I spent several hours at Barnes & Nobles studying and doing some work. Bookstore + Me = Will Buy Books.

After three hours of productive time, I spent another hour browsing the bookstore and left with these.

Book Haul: (Top to Bottom) Jesus the llama, Robert Frost Selected Poems, Journals, A Writing Papers Guide
Book Haul: (Top to Bottom) Jesus the llama, Robert Frost Selected Poems, Journals, A Writing Papers Guide

Most people would put this in the “not fun” book haul pile but I’m just excited to get new books! Especially the Jesus and Robert Frost books.

Later on I will make a post of my huge To-Read pile.

Currently Reading: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare, Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter, & Capital Girls.

Happy Reading!

Editor Letter, To-Read

Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead

Veronica Porras (TTB)

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Good News Everyone!

I was approved to read Gameboard of the Gods, the first book in Richelle Mead’s new adult series Age of X. Excepted publication of the book will be Jun 4th, 2013. Depending on what Penguin/Dutton tell me, I will post a review of the book if they approve it.

Synopsis:

In a futuristic world nearly destroyed by religious extremists, Justin March lives in exile after failing in his job as an investigator of religious groups and supernatural claims. But Justin is given a second chance when Mae Koskinen comes to bring him back to the Republic of United North America (RUNA). Raised in an aristocratic caste, Mae is now a member of the military’s most elite and terrifying tier, a soldier with enhanced reflexes and skills.

When Justin and Mae are assigned to work together to solve a string of ritualistic murders, they soon realize that their discoveries have exposed them to terrible danger. As their investigation races forward, unknown enemies and powers greater than they can imagine are gathering in the shadows, ready to reclaim the world in which humans are merely game pieces on their board.

Gameboard of the Gods, the first installment of Richelle Mead’s Age of X series, will have all the elements that have made her YA Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series such megasuccesses: sexy, irresistible characters; romantic and mythological intrigue; and relentless action and suspense.

 

A/N: I’m really excited to read this book!

Happy Reading Everyone!

Reviews, YA Paranormal

Book Review: The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3) by Richelle Mead

Veronica Porras (TTB)
The Indigo Spell (Bloodline #3) by Richelle Mead
The Indigo Spell (Bloodline #3) by Richelle Mead

GoodReads Summary:

In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch–a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood–or else she might be next.

What I liked:

Richelle Mead has done it again. Even though this is the slowest book so far in the Bloodlines series, it is still very good and did not bore me. I absolutely love it when an author can make a book that is not all fireworks and sparks still be very interesting and intriguing book. I was very pleased to see Adrian and Sydney’s relationship develop to the point where both of them knew exactly where they each stood with their feelings and with each other. Honestly, I liked that The Indigo Spell did not have this big cliffhanger in the last chapter but instead TIS seemed to have this feeling that the complete book in itself was a big foreshadow and a big cliffhanger for the rest of the series.

What I disliked:

Marcus Finch. I didn’t like his character or the developments that occurred around him. I can only think of two good things that came out of having Marcus Finch in the series. He was blown up way out of proportion for how little importance he had in this book. Knowing Richelle Mead though, he will probably have a big role further down in the series and I will have to eat my words.

Rating: 5/5

Rating System:

1/5: I hated it

2/5: It had some redeeming qualities but overall, not a good book

3/5: I liked it (A fun read)

4/5: I really like it, but something was missing

5/5: I love it! It’s as close to perfection as it can get!

 

Editor Letter, Random, To-Read

Random Book Things

Veronica Porras (TTB)
My First Edition Signed Copy of Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter
My First Edition Signed Copy of Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

Today I went to Redondo Beach, California, to a Ally Carter Book Signing Event at the Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore next to the South Bay Galleria (Mall).

This was my first time ever attending a author signing event and it was… awesome. It was like a bookworms united meeting or something. I was amazed by the huge turnout to see Ally Carter [and Gail Carriger].

I think I will be making these type of events a regular thing now. Well, when authors come to bookstores near me that is.

Editor Letter, Random

Blog Update/ Changes coming your way!

Veronica Porras (TTB)

I’ve been debating whether to write a few book reviews on books I’ve read in the past or to keep things as they are. A few examples of books I might review are The Host, Vampire Academy Series, Bloodlines series, some books written by Sarah Dessen, and a few others. After much thought, I’ve decided to re-read some old books and write reviews on them. I want older books to get as much exposure as new and upcoming books are.

Previously, my book reviews didn’t have a set structure, I wrote whatever came to mind. This unorganized system worked for some time but I am not happy with it anymore. Book Reviews from now on will have a 3 part structure. This structure consists of a synopsis, what I liked, and what I disliked. Very simple yet effective. I want my reviews to have some substance to them but I don’t want them to be very long either.

Another thing I’m adding to this blog is something I’m calling Book Spotlight. This is basically my personal recommendation of a book with a synopsis of it. I will also write what other books are similar to the one that is on the “spotlight”.

Calendar (Can change without notice)

  1. Book reviews on books I’ve read in the past will be posted once a month on Saturday. (I’m trying to make this the first Saturday of the month)
  2. Book Spotlight will also be once a month but on Thursday. (The second Thursday of the month)
  3. Book Reviews on books I’m currently reading will be posted after I’ve finished reading a book. (These reviews have no set date)

The new changes will take effect in the month of March.

Sorry for such a lengthy post and I hope it was understandable.

Happy Reading!

🙂

To-Read

To-Read: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Veronica Porras (TTB)
Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Hello!

The next book I am tackling in my “to-read” pile is Insurgent by Veronica Roth. I couldn’t wait to know what happened next in Tris’ and Four’s journey in their dystopian world. I am currently halfway through the book and oh boy is it good! As soon as I’m done, I’ll be posting a review on it.

Other books in my “to-read” pile are The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead and Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter. If you have any suggestions on what other books I should read, just leave me a comment below and I’ll add it to my to-read list!

Happy Reading!

&

Happy Monday!

Reviews, YA Dystopian

Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Veronica Porras (TTB)
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Divergent by Veronica Roth

Oh My!

This book exceeded my expectations! It blew them out of the water!

I was hesitant to read this book. I really was. I picked it up a few months ago, read about 3 pages and decided it wasn’t worth my money. Boy, was I a bit judgmental because of the hype! I regret not reading this book sooner. I could have had the hardcover edition of the first book instead of the paperback edition the bookstore only had in stock.

Honestly, this is by far one of the best books I’ve read this year. The amount of action, romance, intrigue, and the writing style, make it into a blockbuster of books! No wonder the hype is as big as it is!

You could say the main characters are Tris (also known as Beatrice) and Four (whose identity I can’t disclose because I want to keep this as spoiler free as I can, Muahahahaha). Tris’ world consists of Five Factions, the Abnegation, the Amity, the Candor, the Dauntless, and the Erudite. Each faction stands for a “value” one could almost say. The Abnegation strive to be selfless, the amity strive to be peaceful, the candor strive to be honest, the dauntless are the brave, and the Erudite strive to gain knowledge. At Tris’ 16th birthday she had to go through a simulation test that decides what faction you’re most compatible with. That’s where things get tricky for Tris because no faction is the correct one for her. She is factionless. Her father is a leader in the Abnegation government and changing faction’s would mean she would betray her family, her government almost.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to fans of any book genre. I’m not a big dystopian fan but this book made me want to read more books in that genre.

Oh and, Divergent takes place in Chicago. That might peak your interest a little more. 😉

Rating: 5/5

Rating System:

1/5: I hated it

2/5: It had some redeeming qualities but overall, not a good book.

3/5: I liked it. A fun read.

4/5: I really like it, but something was missing.

5/5: I love it! It’s as close to perfection as it can get!

Random

Let It Snow Book Giveaway

Veronica Porras (TTB)

Hello everyone!

I am giving away the book “Let It Snow” by John Green, Maureen Johnson, & Lauren Myracle.

This is how it looks:

Let It Snow by JG, MJ, & LM
Let It Snow by JG, MJ, & LM

The giveaway is over at my tumblr: theblueoak.tumblr.com

The link to the post of the giveaway & rules to enter is: http://theblueoak.tumblr.com/Letitsnowbookgiveaway

Good Luck to everyone & Happy Reading!