Read an E-book

 

Nook

ICDL Children

Canada has declared March Read an e-book Month. Being half way through March I am a little late with this announcement, but you still have time to buy a book and finish it by the end of the month. Even if you don't have a e-reader you can read one on your iPhone or android using a number of different apps.

This change was brought forth because the government felt it should be known that e-books provide a new industry for authors and publishers to make their books more widely available. They provide many advantages including being an enviromentaly friendly alternative.

Even if you are not Canadian or don't have an e-reader, I encourage you to at try reading an e-book once, and see if you enjoy the experience like I do. Here are some useful apps to help you.



Kobo



Kindle

The Birth House by Ami McKay

 The Birth House takes place in the small Halifax village Scots Bay. It follows the life of a young girl, Dora, who was born to a family of all boys. There is a legend about her family name Rare. I can not tell the story as well as the book, but a young wife promises to bear her husband all male children. Dora is the first girl born in several generations. Some think she is a witch, and she curses their livestock, while others think she is special and born with the sight to see what others can not. The book follows Dora as a young girl in her family house with all her brothers, to a young adult learning the trade of a mid wife.

The most interesting part of the story was the struggle between mid wiving and modern medicine. Some of the advice the women of the town get from the doctor is crazy. The things he wanted the women to do surprised me. I can't believe how wrong the doctors were back then on the subject. For example when the women were in the last stages of their pregnancy and swollen and having trouble getting around, the doctors said their problem was they were not getting enough exercise and advised them to walk around more. It was Dora who finally spoke up and said that, no she needs to rest and lie down.

The story also brought in elements of the past such as WW1 and the stigmas attached to young men who did not enlist, and the big Halifax explosion. I really like it when stories are built around elements of truth, to me it makes them even more alive and believable. Even though Dora's character was fictional, it made the book more interesting knowing that some of the experiences she had were experienced by real people at one time.

There was a lot of women's rights issued that aroused from the wives of Scots Bay. They ranged from husbands who beat them, feeling they were obligated to please their husbands in bed, and wanting to have a say in having children. I think Dora was a women who had modern ideals but was still able to see the wisdom of the past. She fought for what was best for the women of Scots Bay, regardless of how her views were seen by the men in the town. She was stuck between fighting for women's rights, and holding on to the traditions of the past, which made her disliked by many. She seemed to be either an offense to proper traditional women, or an offence to modern science. The way that Dora was treated resembled the witch trials in many ways. She acted as a scape goat for all the troubles that happened. Yet she was strong and not afraid to stand up for what she thought was right, but also knew when to back down. Of course like anyone she had faults too, and I think that it was her ability to deal with them in her own way that made me respect her character.

I really enjoyed this book and would be happy to read another by Ami McKay.

Mexico Vacation

Mexico !!

Sorry I haven't posted in a week. I was on vacation in Mexico so I didn't get a chance to go on the computer. I have some great pictures to share. While I was there I spent some time by the pool reading. Unfortunately no tan came from it but I did finish the book I was reading, so a review of The Birth House will be coming soon.

I loved the palm trees there. We don't have any here at home so when I do see them (last year in L.A was my first time) I want to take lots of picture.

Besides visiting the pyramid at Chichen Itza above, we also stopped by a water hole for a swim. This cave was a nice place for a cold swim. It was a really hot day so the water was refreshing.

Not only was the food amazing, I ate sooo much, but it was arranged really beautifully. I cant imagine how they did this. There was a new carved watermelon everyday at breakfast too.

Broken Wings by Alexandrea Weis

I recently finished reading Broken Wings by Alexandrea Weis. At first I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it, but I'm glad I decided to read it. I very much enjoyed the book and was surprised by how quickly I finished it.

It started as a typical romance. The reluctant woman who has sworn off love, meets a dangerous yet sexy man, and their relationship grows as he is slowly able to break down the barriers preventing her from letting him in. This books carries on from that story and brings a lot more into the picture. There are more characters such as an ex-husband, his new wife, and her best friend. Her ex husband made the perfect villain, I think I hated him as much as she did. Her best friend Carol, made me laugh several times.

I liked how the main character Pamela decided to spend her life taking care of sick and damaged animals. It seemed like a more realistic reaction to a hard divorce then some other books. I have gone back and forth trying to decide whether the sick animals signify Pamela or Daniel, and who healed who. Both of them had been hurt in different ways, and needed someone to care for them. No matter who it is, the animals did a great deal to soothe their problems.

About half way through the book I couldn't stop reading it. There were some unexpected plot turns, that lead to hard choices for Pamela . There were several points where I was unsure how the book was going to end. In most romances it is usually obvious that the book will turn out with a happy ending, but this book kept me guessing and wondering if the happy ending we all want was possible. Even at the end of the book with only a few pages left I was caught up in the story. I had my fingers crossed, hoping everything would turn out ok.
This book is available on Amazon for only 4.99! So if you don't feel like spending ten dollars for a good story, you can grab this great read for half the price.

I would like to thank the author and Bostick Communications for providing me with the e-pub so I could have the chance to read it.

Coming Week of February 27

In the last couple weeks, there hasn't been any new releases that have caught my eye. I didn't have a Coming Soon post last week and I don't want to do the same thing week, despite not seeing anything that I like.

Here are two books I think have the most potential.


Luke Warren has spent his life researching wolves. When a wolf feels he is not useful to the pack any longer, he has become weak or is dying, he separates himself and goes off on his own. Luke learned this by the many hours he spent living with wolves, so much time in fact that he understands them better then people. So much that his wife left him and he has a bad relationship with his son Edward who left six years ago at the age of 18, and they have barely talked since.

Edward thinks that his relationship with his father is something that can never be fixed, then one day he receives a phone call that his younger sister Cara and his father were involved in a bad car accident. Now he has to return to the life he left and along with his sister decide the fate of his father, who is in critical condition. What hidden motives and secrets do the siblings have to let their father either survive or die. What would he want? This is a book about family, love, and a hard decision.






I've been in the mood for romances lately. Deadly Sins looks like it will fitful that and more. Logan Callahan has nightmares. He can not forget what happened that day, and every time he closes his eyes he sees the woman he could not save. Sky O'Brian just moved in next door. Like Logan she is a night owl, and he suspects that just like him, she has things to hide. He sees a fire in her eyes that hold a secret.

When Logan's ex girlfriend is murdered he is the prime suspect. Not being able to deny the attraction between them he turns to Sky. As he tries to track down the real murderer he discovers Sky is looking for a murderer too and she is using him to do it.

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

I finished Sense and Sensibility today and I enjoyed it for what it was, a romantic classic novel. You can't really judge a book written to long ago in the same regard you would a modern book. It was a little bit of a slow book to read, but given the language it was written, that was because I had to pay extra attention to the words to understand what was being said. Like other Jane Austen books there were several characters and at times I was confused who was who, and how they were related.

For an older book I was surprised that I was very interested in the story. The two sisters were very difference people and it was interesting to see how each of them reacted differently to similar situations. Elinor was very calm, sensible,considerate, and kept her feelings to herself. While her sister Marianne was emotional, and felt everything deeply. Perhaps even a little childish.

This book shows the danger of being both too open in love and too closed off.

Elinor was the more mature sister, she was the older of the two, but I don't think it was by much. I felt she was more of a mother figure towards Marianne then their own mother was. She was always putting her own feelings aside in order to comfort her sister and take care of her. She put alot of thought into what others would think and how she was being protrayed. The mother was like Marianne and a little flaky in my opinion, although a positive influence. Marianne did redeem her character in my eyes at the end of the book, when she acknowledged her sister's help and apologized for the focus always being on her problems. 

So far I like how in all of Jane Austen's novels she puts a positve light to all those that marry for love. The people who marry for position or money seem to have more of a negitive light and act as the "villans" of her books. Austen is a true romantic and I will at some point finish reading her collection of stories.

My Favourite Romance Novels

These are my favourite romance novels, at least the ones that I can think of now. I read a lot of Nora Roberts when I was in high school, and liked most of her books, but I didn't want to fill this list with all one author. A little diversity is good so I just added two that I liked the most.   

A science fiction love story. You wouldn't expect that from Nora Roberts, but it's true. I loved this book.  A mystery man appears in her life out of no where and she has to take care of him all alone in a remote cottage. Two people alone together, and one needs the help of the other is a perfect situation for a romance to develop, and this one has an added twist, because something is just not right about this guy.

I know everyone is tired of hearing about this romance book. I avoided reading them for a while but couldn't ignore all the hype, then it turned out that I really liked them. This one is a lot like Romeo and Juliette, which I think makes it a great modern read for Valentine's Day.

I'm reading Jane Austen right now so I have to add this to the list. No list is complete without a good classic. At first I wasn't impressed with this story, I liked Emma better, but the characters grow on you over time. Watching the movie helped too.

I like books where the two objects of affection are opposites; I think it makes it even more romantic. The cool kid and the nerd is even more romantic because I can wish that when I was in high school I had the chance to date the cool guy. The thought that you will be loved even when you are gone makes this book one of the most romantic stories I've read.

The job that I fantasize about but will never have is a thief. Its the mystery and suspense that appeal to me, and it sounds exciting. This story involves two people who grew up together and then fall in love.  They are jewelry thiefs and magicians, doesn't that sounds cool.

Saving the best for last. This was the first book that made me really cry. I still consider it my favourite book ever. It had everything you want in a good love story; adventure, romance, risk, tears, love, and of course a happy ending.

Coming Week of February 13

Sophie Kinsella has a new book out that is not related to her Shopaholic novels. I know many people love these books, and I always wanted to read the series but was overwhelmed by how many of them there are. Considering this is not part of the series, its a good opportunity for me to get to read one of the authors books without investing myself into a large series.


I've Got Your Number is about a women whose new life it about to start. She is happily marrying her dream man Magnus, and his parents are coming to visit. The perfect day starts to go terribly wrong when in the middle of a fire drill at the hotel Poppy looses her engagement ring, and her phone is stolen. The worst part is that it has been in her fiance;s family for three generations. She thinks her bad luck could be improving when she finds a phone in a trash can. At least now she can leave the number with hotel security in case they find her ring.

The person who doesn't find this lucky is the phone's owner, Sam Roxton, who just wants his phone back and is not happy that Poppy is reading his messages and delving into his personal life. The two develop a relationship through text messages and between her unknown feelings for Sam and a scheming wedding planner, Poppy's wedding plans start to come apart. Critics call this book a funny romance that fans of the Shopaholic series will not be disappointed to read.





I don't know if it's just me, but it seems that James Patterson releases a lot of novels. His next one is focused around the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games in London. An investigation firm called Private, is hired to protect the 10,000 competitors at the games. They are the most advanced and technological firm in the world and have sent 400 agents for a large task. Just before the opening ceremonies, Peter Knight, one of the agents, is called to the scene of a murder. A high ranking employee of the organization committee has been killed .

Karen Pope, a newspaper reporter receives a letter from someone who calls himself the Cronus. He takes claim to the murder and says he can restore the Olympics to their former glory, if all those who have corrupted it by lies and corruption are dead. Karen and Peter are up against a ruthless killer who will stop at nothing to destroy the games. This book by James Patterson sounds like a great thriller to read before you watch the games for yourself this summer.

Comming Week of February 6

The author of Pretty Little Liars has a new book out from another one of her series. Two Truths and a Lie is number three in the series, The Lying Game. Despite my strong desire to hate the pretty little liars series I read an overview of this book and was actually found it interesting. It reminded me of the T.V show Ringer. Twin sisters, one leading a hidden life of lies and the other taking her place in her twisted world.

In this book one of the twins has died. The overview is written in her words as she describes the awful things she did while she was alive that would cause many to hate her. After her murder, her twin Emma pretends to be her, and is trying to unravel the mysteries of her sister's life. Two months before the first twin was murdered, (I cant seem to find her name) her best friends brother disappeared, and she knew it had something to do with her. Now the brother, Thayer, has returned and Emma must work fast to find out what her dead sister did to him, and if he's back to seek revenge, or maybe he already got it.

I like a good murder mystery and this book sounds exciting. A women comes to Detective D. D. Waren and tells her that she will be murdered in four days and she wants the best detectives on the case.  Charlene Rosalind Carter Grant tells a chilling story to the detective, about a small town in New Hampshire where she grew up with a circle of friends. Now in the present, for several years on 8:00 p.m. on January 21st one of her friends has died and now she is the last one left. She describes how her murder will happen "It will be up close and personal. No evidence of forced entry, no sign of struggle."  

Charlene has no intention of going down easy, she has an excellent shot, can fight, and can run. D. D is suspicious of Charlene, is she truly in danger or does she have the perfect disguise.

Hotel Vendome by Danielle Steel

This is a very nice father/daughter book. I was surprised how much I liked it. I've read two of her books before but didn't really enjoy them. I found them boring and felt as if nothing really happened. Although this book is the same format, I was so engrossed in the story. The story follows a single father who owns a hotel in New York and his daughter Heloise. The book is very touching because Hugues loves his daughter so much, and would do anything for her. His whole life is occupied by the hotel and his daughter, that he doesn't have time for much else. Despite her lack of a mother, Heloise grows up in a loving atmosphere, full of people who love her and mother figures that only want the best for her.

This is a romance if I ever read one. Its the love between a father and daughter, and how their deep connection effects their personal lives. Like any family Hugues and Heloise have problems. Sometimes when you try everything to protect your children from hurt, your end up causing the pain you never wanted them to experience.

This book is also a coming of age story of a young girl. Its about the pains of growing up. It's about becoming an adult and learning that your parents are people too, with their own feeling and faults. Heliose has to learn to adjust to the adult world she finds herself in. At first I found her character rude and stubborn. She acts a little spoiled at times but no different I guess then any teenage girl. This book reinforces the idea that love doesn't have a limit, it grows, and has different forms.

I would really recommend this book as a touching drama about an unconventional family. It's loving and sweet, even if you don't like Danielle Steels, I think you will enjoy this story.