Tag: literature

Book Spotlight

Book Spotlight #2 All-American Girl by Meg Cabot

Veronica Porras (TTB)

 

Another segment of Book Spotlight is brought to you by yours truly, The Talking Bookworm.

All-American Girl is a book I loved when I read in high school. Meg Cabot was my favorite author through middle school and high school and I still love her writing, but she hasn’t come out with any new YA books the past few years (or anything apart from the Princes Diaries Series). It seems she has switched her focus to adult fiction for the time being. Hope you like my recommendation for the month of April!

all-american-girl

Book Title: All-American Girl (All-American Girl #1)

Author: Meg Cabot

Org. Publication Date: August 2003

Goodreads Summary:

Samantha Madison is an average, cool Washington, D.C., teen: She loves Gwen Stefani (who doesn’t?), can draw like nobody’s business, and enjoys being opposite to her sister’s annoying ultra-social personality. But when she ditches art class one day, she doesn’t expect to be jumping on the back of a wannabe presidential assassin. Soon the young hero is receiving worldwide acclaim for her bravery, having dinner with her family at the White House, and is even being named teen ambassador to the UN. As if this weren’t enough, she and David, the president’s son, strike up a friendship that everyone wants the dirt on, which starts to give her romantic “frisson” feelings. Unfortunately, Sam thinks her sister’s boyfriend, Jack, is the true love of her life, and she makes a few wrong turns that could screw up what she’s developing with David. Will she ever stop following what she knows and start following what she sees?

 

Happy Reading! 🙂

Book Blast from the Past

Book Blast from the Past Review: That Summer by Sarah Dessen

Veronica Porras (TTB)
That Summer by Sarah Dessen
That Summer by Sarah Dessen

Originally Published: 1996

Copy Read: Reprinted 2012 edition

Publisher: Speak (An Imprint of Penguin Group USA)

Goodreads Summary:

For fifteen-year-old Haven, life is changing too quickly. She’s nearly six feet tall, her father is getting remarried, and her sister—the always perfect Ashley—is planning a wedding of her own. Haven wishes things could just go back to the way they were. Then an old boyfriend of Ashley’s reenters the picture, and through him, Haven sees the past for what it really was, and comes to grips with the future.

What I liked:

There is something about Sarah Dessen’s writing that I can’t get enough of. It seems to be personal and impersonal at the same time. Haven’s journey throughout the book had a nice pace to it. It did not feel rushed but it also wasn’t slow either. There was a nice balance with flashbacks to the summer where everything was perfect and to the present where everything was in chaos. This book showed a teenage girl’s journey of growing up and seeing that the world isn’t just black and white, and not everything we see is as it seems.

What I disliked:

The ending wasn’t enough for me. I wished I could have seen more resolution in Haven’s life but knowing Sarah Dessen and her style of writing and structure, the ending I got was as much as I would get.

Overall:

That Summer is your typical Sarah Dessen novel. I enjoyed it and it wasn’t as sad as I thought it might me and that was good because I don’t think I could have handled sad. If you guys want to know what Sarah Dessen is all about, read her debut novel. It is not her best work but it is what started it all.

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

YouTube Channel

Veronica Porras (TTB)

Summer_Reading_08

Hello Everyone!

I’ve made a youtube channel for this blog. The channel name is: TheTalkingBookworm

I’m going to start making my book hauls into video format instead of a long post here so click on the link and go on and watch the latest books I bought that I will most likely be reviewing.

Book Haul #1

Happy Reading!

Editor Letter, To-Read

April Book Blast from the Past Preview

Veronica Porras (TTB)
That Summer by Sarah Dessen
That Summer by Sarah Dessen

Hello everyone! Just wanted to let you know that I will be doing Book Blast from the Past on That Summer by Sarah Dessen. If you guys want to know what it is about here is the Goodreads Summary:

For fifteen-year-old Haven, life is changing too quickly. She’s nearly six feet tall, her father is getting remarried, and her sister—the always perfect Ashley—is planning a wedding of her own. Haven wishes things could just go back to the way they were. Then an old boyfriend of Ashley’s reenters the picture, and through him, Haven sees the past for what it really was, and comes to grips with the future.

Happy Reading!

Tuesday Meme

Top Ten Characters I Would Crush On If I Were Also A Fictional Character

Veronica Porras (TTB)

toptentuesday-1

My first Tuesday meme! Hooray! The wonders spring break does to my blog.

This week I am participating in The Broke and The Bookish’s Top Ten Tuesday meme. This weeks Top Ten is: Top Ten Characters I Would Crush On If I Were Also A Fictional Character!

Ow! This is going to be hard because I’m going to have to admit this not just to myself but to the rest of the world as well but nonetheless, here I go.

1. Adrian Ivashkov (VA and BL Series)

Yes, I admit it. He is one bad boy I would totally have a crush on if I were a fictional character. Even though I shipped Dimitri and Rose in VA I still felt bad for Adrian. The Bloodlines series gave me a new perspective on Adrian that made me fall in love with him like Sydney did.

2. W.W. Hale the Fifth (Heist Society Series)

I’m a Hale girl all the way. My question is, how can you not be a Hale girl? Go and read the Heist Society series if you don’t know what I’m talking about. Who doesn’t want a nice, rich, good looking guy?

3. Zach Goode (Gallagher Girls Series)

Even though I’m a Hale girl, I still like Zach. Who doesn’t like a little mystery in a guy right? Especially if he is a spy. 🙂

4. Four/Tobias (Divergent Trilogy)

Come on now ladies, do I really have to go into detail as to why I would have a crush on Four if I were in the Divergent World? Four sacrificed himself for Tris and stayed Dauntless just for her. That deserves some credit don’t you think?

5. Étienne St. Clair (Anna and the French Kiss)

St. Clair. Even though he has some baggage I would still fall for him just like Anna did and well the other girl that fell for him in the story as well. What’s her name? I can’t remember but my point is I wouldn’t be the only fictional character falling for him.

6. Eddie Castile (VA & BL)

Surprised to see this right? Eddie is faithful, protective, kind, chivalrous, and has a playful side. Need I say more? I am very glad we got to see more of him in the Bloodlines Series as he was a back-burner character in the Vampire Academy Series.

7. Josh (Getting Over Garrett Delaney)

I really don’t want to reveal much about Josh so I suggest you go read the book and figure it out yourself. In my honest opinion, Getting Over Garrett Delaney is a YA contemporary book everyone should read.

8. Jacob (Bunheads)

Ah. Jacob. A musician that helps you forget about your problems and tries to understand you even though he has no idea what the heck you’re going through. I always like a man that can be sympathetic. Who doesn’t?

9. Cricket (Lola and the Boy Next Door)

Ladies. Do I have to explain myself again? Cricket is adorable, kind, and he will just about do almost everything for Lola. The only bad thing was when he left without saying goodbye, but after we figure out why we can forgive him. I want my own Cricket. I just love nerdy boys.

10. Dimitri Belikov (VA)

I was debating whether to add him to my list or not. The first time I read VA I completely fell for Dimitri and when I read it again I was more attracted to Adrian. The thing is though, I think if I was in the VA world, I would still crush on him and I would most likely get over the age difference. He’s in his late twenties… I’m in my early twenties. It’s all good. 🙂 And I would totally love to date a man who is up to challenging me. 😉

So, those are my Top Ten Characters I would crush on if I was a fictional character. But who are we kidding, we already have a crush on them anyways!

Please leave a comment and tell me what characters you would crush on if you were a fictional character. I really want to know what you guys are thinking.

Happy Reading!

Editor Letter, Random

March Recap

Veronica Porras (TTB)

This month has been a crazy and busy month for myself but I’ve managed to post 4 book reviews and finish reading a total of 9 books!

The books were:

  1. Both Sides of Time by Caroline B. Cooney: Review 4/5
  2. Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X#1) by Richelle Mead: Review 5/5
  3. The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen: I absolutely disliked this book. I am never again going to buy a book that I’ve heard nothing about. I was really disappointed by the amount of sex stuff in it which made me skip a lot of the book. The quality of the writing was also horrid. I don’t understand the hype around this book. 1/5
  4. Juliet Immortal (Juliet Immortal #1) by Stacey Jay: It took me 3 months to finish this book. I found it hard to get into it and the characters weren’t relatable at all. 3/5
  5. If We Kiss by Rachel Vail: Another book I was disappointed in. I’m happy I only paid a dollar for it on my nook. 2/5
  6. Imperium (Cicero #1) by Robert Harris: Review 5/5
  7. Influence: Science and Practice by Robert B. Cialdini: I had to read this book for a class and I found it very interesting. Its a fun academic read. 5/5
  8. Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society #3) by Ally Carter: Review 5/5
  9. A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America by Ronald Takaki: This book was eye opening and brilliant. A must read for all Americans and Cultural Generational Americans. 5/5

If you would like to recommend books that I should read or would like to discuss any of these books with me feel free to leave a comment.

Happy Reading!

Reviews, YA Mystery

Book Review: Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society #3) by Ally Carter

Veronica Porras (TTB)

perfect-scoundrels-by-ally-carter

Goodreads Summary:

Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it’s that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting-or stealing-whatever they want. No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale’s family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother’s billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there’s no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won’t let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother’s will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company’s fortune. So instead of being the heir-this time, Hale might be the mark. Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she’s willing to save her boyfriend’s company if it means losing the boy.

What I liked:

I absolutely loved this book! I believe it to be the best yet in the Heist Society Series. We were finally able to learn more about Hale’s family and his background. There were many moments where I literally screamed at Hale or Kat (and that is something I don’t do often because I don’t want to look like a crazy person). Something that I really liked that Ally Carter did was that she completely surprised me with the last twenty pages of the book. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone so I won’t say anything but this was the first book in the Heist Society Series that I was not able to guess the ending. Ally Carter was just bumped up to VIP status in my list of best authors out there.

What I disliked:

Honestly, it took me a little while to get into it. I don’t know if it was because I just so busy I couldn’t enjoy reading a book or because it was slow at the beginning but after the first 100 pages there was no stopping me.

Overall:

Perfect Scoundrels was a really fun book to read and I truly enjoyed. I can always count on Ally Carter to give me a book that is fun to read and tackles issues that many teenagers are facing today in their everyday lives. She knows how to make heavy subjects like death and insecurity more approachable and easier to tackle. Basically, she makes life easier. 🙂

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!

Historical Fiction, Reviews

Book Review: Imperium by Robert Harris

Veronica Porras (TTB)

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In his “most accomplished work to date” (Los Angeles Times), master of historical fiction Robert Harris lures readers back in time to the compelling life of Roman Senator Marcus Cicero. The re-creation of a vanished biography written by his household slave and right-hand man, Tiro, Imperium follows Cicero’s extraordinary struggle to attain supreme power in Rome.

Goodreads Summary:

On a cold November morning, Tiro opens the door to find a terrified, bedraggled stranger begging for help. Once a Sicilian aristocrat, the man was robbed by the corrupt Roman governor, Verres, who is now trying to convict him under false pretenses and sentence him to a violent death. The man claims that only the great senator Marcus Cicero, one of Rome’s most ambitious lawyers and spellbinding orators, can bring him justice in a crooked society manipulated by the villainous governor. But for Cicero, it is a chance to prove himself worthy of absolute power. What follows is one of the most gripping courtroom dramas in history, and the beginning of a quest for political glory by a man who fought his way to the top using only his voice — defeating the most daunting figures in Roman history.

What I liked:

This book was a masterpiece. Robert Harris made history fascinating. I, a person whose worst subject in school was history, has fallen in love with historical fiction. This book made me cheer for Cicero from his meager beginnings to the moment he became a consul, a freaking consul. Cicero reached Imperium. The characters were really well built and executed throughout the book. It was a bit like reading a memoir. I think this book would be amazing as a movie. The world needs to see this on screen.

What I “disliked”:

This book is so brilliant that I cannot say one bad thing about it. I may be biased because it gives rhetoric and communication high importance, and I am about to obtain a BA in Communication Studies at the end of May. I guess the only thing I “disliked” was the difficulty I had with the names. Apart from Cicero and Tiro, the names are pretty abnormal for this time and age.

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, To-Read

UPDATE: Currently Reading?

Veronica Porras (TTB)

Hello everyone!

I am writing to you today from my cave [aka my dorm room]. I’m sorry there hasn’t been that many reviews the past couple of weeks. I have a very valid reason, University. Yes, you read right. My excuse is school, but I am still trying to update and read for “fun” as much as I can so here are the books that I am currently reading:

  1. Insurgent by Veronica Roth
  2. Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter
  3. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
  4. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare [ebook]
  5. Capital Girls by Ella Monroe [ebook]
  6. Imperium by Robert Harris (This is a hybrid book. I am reading it for class and fun.)

Which book will I be reviewing next? My money is on Delirium since I am about 80% done with it, but it can be anyones game. I’ve never had so many books on hold before. I used to be a person that could only read one book at a time but that has changed. I promise to give you guys a book review within a week so hold on to your horses, the Talking Bookworm is back!

Happy Reading and Have a Blessed Day!

Book Spotlight

Book Spotlight: #1 Getting Over Garrett Delaney

Veronica Porras (TTB)

Hello Readers!

Today debuts another new segment called, “Book Spotlight”. Book Spotlight will be every second Thursday of the month. If the day or frequency changes, I will let you guys know!

This Thursday I recommend:

abby mcdonald - getting over garret delaney

 

Book Title: Getting Over Garrett Delaney

Author: Abby McDonald

Org. Pub Date: January 24th, 2012

Goodreads Summary:

Seventeen-year-old Sadie is in love: epic, heartfelt, and utterly one-sided. The object of her obsession — ahem, affection — is her best friend, Garrett Delaney, who has been oblivious to Sadie’s feelings ever since he sauntered into her life and wowed her with his passion for Proust (not to mention his deep-blue eyes). For two long, painful years, Sadie has been Garrett’s constant companion, sharing his taste in everything from tragic Russian literature to art films to ’80s indie rock — all to no avail. But when Garrett leaves for a summer literary retreat, Sadie is sure that the absence will make his heart grow fonder — until he calls to say he’s fallen in love. With some other girl! A heartbroken Sadie realizes that she’s finally had enough. It’s time for a total Garrett detox! Aided by a barista job, an eclectic crew of new friends (including the hunky chef, Josh), and a customized self-help guide, Sadie embarks on a summer of personal reinvention full of laughter, mortifying meltdowns, and a double shot of love.

 

Now, Get off the computer and read it! You won’t regret it!