The Wednesday Book Recommendation!

Possession by Elana Johnson


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.


But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

Before I begin, I have to admit that the day this book showed up on my doorstep I literally did a happy dance and jumped online to tell on my booky friends because I was THAT excited. Thanks to Simon & Schuester for the amazing and suprising arrival of this ARC in my mailbox!

As an avid reader and fan of Elana's blog, I'd been salivating over this book for quite a while and thrilled to get a copy early, but at the same time, I was nervous to start it because I had such high expectations, you know?

Not to worry! It was full of all the Elana Awesomesauce you would expect and it definitely didn't disappoint! And the cliffhanger towards the end? Killer.

I hate spoilers, so definitely won't give anything away, but she had me flipping through the last half of this book at an amazing pace. The sarcastic and witty main character Vi comes off as very believable and relatable, Jag the bad boy is totally crush worthy and hot, with just the right amount of tension, and the science fiction world she creates very unique.

Not to mention the fact that I can't get the word techtricity out of my head. It has a cool vibe to it, a ring that makes me doubt it isn't already a real word. It reminds me of the way Elana has created this alternate reality that has a way of being very, very real.

Kudos to an awesome debut author and to the long wait for Book #2.

View all my reviews

Happy Easter and Photo Tour of Boston, Part II

Gravesite of Elizabeth Pain

(inspiration behind Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter)

Saturday's game against the Yankees

The man and my favorite player - Dustin Pedroia 

(we had AWESOME last minute seats--actually walked up to the gate during the 2nd inning and

bought them--it was INSANE)

A-rod batting (I'm not a fan, so the highlight for me was booing him, but you

also have to admit that he's a legend and it was cool to see him. I REALLY enjoyed

seeing Jeter, but didn't get a good shot of him before my camera died. Doesn't matter WHO

he plays for, Jeter is amazing!)

Jacoby Ellsbury - this one's for you, Jennifer! Thought

about you while we were there!

Outside Fenway Park

Back Bay Area

Granary Burial Ground

(Resting Place of John Hancock, Paul Revere, and Ben Franklin's parents)

I have a thing for trees in the middle of the cemetery!

Boston Commons

Where everybody knows your name

Self-explanatory, don't you think?

Pre-beer (note to me: I DO NOT like Indian Pale Ale, even when it's named the Green Monstah, which

at the time, seemed appropriate. Found out later, Indian Pale Ale = Bitter. Will not forget again.

And, yes, I drank it ANYWAY. LOL.)

Me and Norm

Boston Public Library

Entrance to library

I don't know about you, but my library doesn't look like THIS!

Courtyard at the Boston Public Library (the fountain was drained for the winter)

HAD to check this out!

Reflection Pool (also drained for Winter)

Christian Library (loved the quote!)

Fenway Park Tour pre-Sunday game

No idea why I took this one

*smirk*

Batting practice

View from the Monster Seats!

This bar has a cutout against the out field wall and

you can enter (without cover) to watch the game, anytime!

Me, hubs, Jay, Shelly

(I went to college with Shelly, but her husband, Jay, and I

are the hard core Sox fans!)

V-tek warming up (he's one of my FAVES!)

Pitchers walking to the bullpen

Celebratory beer post-game after our big win Sunday

against the Yankees!

Okay, so this was quite a few pictures, right? Especially for Part II, but considering the fact that I took over 400 during our trip, I think we can all agree that I did a good job consolidating. Right? Right?

Okay, I admit it, I have a photo taking problem. I'm a total "documenter" and "scrapbooker".

What about you? Any trips you've taken lately? Any photo tours on your blog?

(They're my favorite, so feel free to drop me a link.)

Happy Easter to you all!

Hope you spent it with friends and family, feeling loved.

The Wednesday Book Recommendation!

 The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My name is Meghan Chase.


I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

My thoughts:
I intentionally waited a while to write my book review because I KNOW there are not enough appropriate words to really describe how much I loved every single page.

I hoped maybe time would give me more perspective, that I would be able to eloquently and intelligently tell you how fantabulous it was in great detail, but alas, all I want to do is gush and force everyone to read it, so I've come to the conclusion that it just isn't possible for me. I'm too giddy.

Here's what I can tell you: Julie keeps raising the bar for this series...I've loved each book even more than the last, which hardly seems possible since she had me hooked with the first one.

I've told all my booky friends about it out of a selfish need to addict others and have someone talk to about the series. I like it that much. (And everyone I've convinced to get it so far has loved it as well!)

And I won't lie, this one had me crying like a baby. There were many tears and strange looks given to me by the husband as I read into the wee hours of the night.

The end, in my mind, was absolutely perfect. I'm not a big fan of spoilers, so I will give nothing away. Just know to have the kleenex ready.

Now comes the dreaded wait....how much longer???

View all my reviews

 
Have you read this series? What are your thoughts?  Do you love each book more than the last?

AND if you haven't started it yet, what are you waiting for?

I'm ba-ack! Check out my Photo Tour of Boston, Part I

Wow. Just wow.

Boston was even better than I imagined it would be!

I'm in love with the city and will definitely plan another trip sometime soon, but for now, a few of my favorite photos!

Faneuil Hall Marketplace

The inside of Quincy Market (awesome food vendors...nom nom)

Window Washers! (those little dots on the side of the building...it was insane!)

The Old State House (Boston's oldest public building, built in 1713. The Declaration of Independence was read to Bostonians from the east balcony in 1776.)

Old City Hall (How gorgeous is this building??)

Benjamin Franklin

Paul Revere statue in front of the Old North Church (where the lantern was hung to warn the troops)

Copp's Hill burial ground, looking over the harbor (my favorite picture from our trip!)

Hubs and I by the harbor (pre game)

Part II coming soon!

Anyone out there been to Boston? Did you love it as much as we did???

Let the countdown BEGIN!!! Only one more week...

It's hard to believe it's REALLY, finally here!

In less than a week, guess where I'll be?

(HINT: it has nothing to do with books, but rhymes with Hemingway--sort of.)

Any guesses?

That's right!  FENWAY PARK!

I'll be watching a little baseball game against a little team you've probably never heard of:

Weeeeeeee!

This is officially my first time seeing my boys play in their hometown and my very first time to

legendary Fenway Park. I can hardly wait.

And what can be better than going to Fenway to see the Red Sox play the Yankees?

Going with two of my favorite people! We're leaving the little man in the

capable care of family and spending the weekend in Bean Town with my good friend (and former college

roommate) Shelly and her awesome husband (and fellow Red Sox addict) Jay.

Good times!

And let us not forget one of my favorite players:

The one and only Dustin Pedroia

If you haven't already seen it, check out this inspirational commercial:

What about you bloggers?  Any baseball fans out there? What is your team of choice?

Have a favorite player? Someone who inspires you?

DO TELL!