Dear Edward

February 8, 2020

“Dear Edward” ~ Ann Napolitano is a story of resilience, heartbreak, love, and family that talks about the purpose of life after a tragedy.

Eddie Alder was just your typical 12-year old boy who is at the age of juggling his cute cuddling, lovable side towards his parents as he is trying to hold on to his brother bond with his 15-year old brother Jordan as Jordan begins to rebel against their parents. His relationship with his family was unbreakable until tragedy struck.

His family was on their way to a new life in Los Angles from New York for Eddie’s mother’s unique job opportunity. The flight was going smoothly, but just as the plane hit Colorado turbulence  and lousy weather took over and the aircraft crashed, leaving all 191 passengers dead except for Eddie.

Now has he navigates his new life after such a traumatic event. He begins to search for his purpose in life. He lives with his only living relatives, his Aunt Lacy and Uncle John in New Jersey, and becomes friends with their next-door neighbor Shay, who is his same age.

A few years have gone by, and he has recovered from his physical injuries but there are times where he still struggles with being the lone survivor of a crash that took his family from him. It wasn’t until he discovers what his uncle was hiding in their garage does he begin to realize his purpose in his second life.

What will happen to Edward with this new-found knowledge that his uncle was hiding? Will he ever feel that special family bond that he had with his parents with his Aunt and Uncle? What will happen to his friendship with Shay?

Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix

January 18, 2020

“Harry Potter and The Order Of the Phoenix” ~ J.K Rowling – Harry Potter was faced with another life or death situation as the Dark Lord makes his inevitable return in this action-packed 5th installment.

In the 5th installment of the Harry Potter series, the group called The Order of The the 5th bookPhoenix established to follow and capture The Dark Lord once and for all. After his epic return to power at the end of the 4th novel.

Throughout this chapter of the Harry Potter series, Harry faces many different obstacles related to the Dark Lords’ return. Everything from the searing pain that was coming from his scar to nightmares of real-life attacks of loved ones, even an attack from the dementors that lead to Harry’s expulsion from Hogwarts for a short time. There is also a teacher that the Ministry of Magic hires at Hogwarts to spy on Professor Dumbledore and the rest of the school.

What do all of these scary events have to do with the return of the Dark Lord himself? What happens when the Ministry of Magic hires a teacher at Hogwarts in which no one not even the teachers, gets along? Will the Dark Lord ever get captured?

You will have to read to find all this out and more in The Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix. You will not be disappointed!

A Little Me

December 19, 2019

“Amy Roloff A Little Me” ~ Amy Roloff is an inspiring Auto-biography that reminds us that God doesn’t make mistakes and that our differences make us unique. It is undoubtedly a book that will leave an impact on your life.

A little me

This book follows the life of Amy Roloff as she tries to navigate life as a little person with dwarfism in an ordinary world. It goes from her elementary school days to the day she starts the second chapter in her life after her divorce and everything in between.

Growing up for Amy wasn’t always rainbows and butterflies; she suffered from bullying and depression all through her grade school time, and it continued going through her college years. It was with help from her close family and friends that she was able to approve on her self esteem and got through the rough times.

Her father had a saying of “God doesn’t make mistakes.” A saying that I loved and was inspired by myself. It is about excepting that everything happens for a reason and that everyone has a purpose on this planet no matter what they might look like or who they are. That saying helped Amy through her toughest of times.

This book was a great inspiration to me. I was born with a condition called Noonan Syndrome and one of the symptoms is short stature. I stand at a tall 4’3” I have a sense of humor about my height and will make jokes about it. I mean, I can’t change it and so I mine as well make the most of it and have a bright lookout on things.

I began watching Amy on her family reality show “Little People Big World” on TLC in elementary school, and it gave me a whole new outlook on life. It inspired me to get my driver’s license and dream about starting my own business one day. I realized that I could do anything I wanted to do just in my own way.

I would recommend this book for anyone that is having a rough time and need some inspiration. 😊

 

 

Things You Save in a Fire

December 3, 2019

“Things You Save in a Fire” ~ by Katherine Center is a story of love, heartbreak, feminism, and forgiveness. That will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end!

Things you save in a fire

This story begins with Cassie Hanwell, a well-known and respected female firefighter in Austin, Texas, receiving an award for her heroics. When the scheduled announcer couldn’t make it, it was the replacement (a guy from her past Heath Thompson) that brings back memories of her sixtieth birthday. One that she would never assume talks or think about ever again. It was her reaction to the twist and an unexpected call from her estranged mother that changed her life forever.

We follow Cassie as she moves across the country to Boston, Massachusetts, and made to work her butt off to receive the respect she had back in Austin. All the while, she is helping out her almost blind mother and the real truth behind her mother’s health and tries to work on forgiving her mother for all the passed pain her mother caused her. It is while she is there she unexpectedly falls for the other newbie, rookie Owen.

After a tragic event takes place the rookie becomes injured, the truth comes out about their relationship. How will the rest of the firehouse receive the news? Will their relationship last? Will the rookie make it? Will Cassie and her mother ever fix their damaged relationship?

The book plays with your emotions from start to finish! It will be one that you will not forget for a very long time! It will make you consider forgiving those people in your lives that you have differences with before it is too late!

Water for Elephants

November 16, 2019

“Water for Elephants,” written by Sara Gruen, is a fantastic whirlwind novel about the up and downs and the toll that the circus life can have on the circus people’s lives.

Water for Elephants   This novel takes the reader on the journey of a young man by the name of Jacob Jankowski and after the jumping of a train, results in a decision that ultimately changes his life forever. Once on the train, he quickly becomes the circus by telling the ringmaster that he is a Cornell Graduate from Veterinary School. He goes on to help train the recent circus purchase of an elephant named Rosie. Jacob also finds unexpected love with the ringmaster’s wife, Marlena. This causes trouble for Jacob and the young lady over time.

In the other half of the book, it shows where Jacob is now at the age of 85 in a nursing home and quickly declining. Even though at times, he may not know whether he is talking out loud and not remember who his favorite nurse, Rosemary’s name is or even his children at times. He still remembers his love for the circus and the incredible life he was able to form from his experience on that train.

It follows the story of the “Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth” and the ultimate demise of the show as well.  From the pressures of putting on the “Most Spectacular Show on Earth” during the Great Depression period in America to the greatest joys and greatest heartbreaks and everything in between.

The book will have you on an emotional rollercoaster at times. A book that with leaves, you want more. A novel full of love, heartbreak and animals. What more would you want?

Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire

October 23, 2019

“Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire” ~ J.K Rowling is another mysterious journey of the boy wizard! That shows not only his heroism but also Harry’s most vulnerable side. A story that will leave you satisfied but wanting more at the same time.

The 4th book in the Harry Potter series doesn’t start like every other Harry Potter Books! In the first couple of books, he escapes the Dursley’s household one way or the other and goes to Hogwarts for another year. No, it starts by the Weasley’s picking Harry up at the Dursley’s and heading to the Quitch World Cup. It is the events that occur at the Quitch World Cup that kicks off the theme for the rest of the book.

He-who-shall-not-be-named supporters start to take over the muggle owners of the Quitch venue, and the Dark Mark appears in the sky. The beginning signs that LordIMG_20191020_131113.jpgVoldemort is slowly regaining power. What will this scary moment mean for the only Voldemort survivor Harry Potter?

Another significant event that occurs throughout the book is the Triwizard Tournament. A tournament where other wizards’ schools come together at Hogwarts and kids volunteer to participate is a series of quests. That will ultimately end with a Triwizard Champion.

What will occur when Harry’s (who is underage) name pops out of the goblet and is now forced to enter this dangerous tournament? Who put his name into the goblet in the first place? Will Harry overcome his procrastination and figure out how to get through the competition? Also, what does the burning he is famous lightning-bolt shaped scar all mean?

This story is another fantastic novel written by J.K Rowling and an intriguing continuous on the journey of the boy wizard!

Where The Crawdads Sing

September 23, 2019

“Where the Crawdads Sing?” ~ Delia Owens is a book about murder, isolation, prosecution and independence.

Where the Crawdads sing

This book is set back in the 1940’s – 1960’s and takes the reader on the journey of a girl Kay Clark as she navigates her way through life in The Marsh fields of North Carolina.

It all starts when Kay’s mother walks out on the family and never comes back. Shortly there after her closes brother and only brother that still lives at home leaves as well. Leaving only her drunken father and her to fend for themselves.

This sudden abandonment forces young Kay to grow up and find ways of survival on her own. The town that she lives in makes her feel alone as well with the children in town making fun of the so called “Marsh Girl.” and besides a few locals helping out, no one in town seems to care about this child.

What happens when the 2nd of two boys that Kay falls in love with suddenly dies after breaking Kays heart? What will the town really think about the Marsh Girl then? Will they come together and rally around her or will they once again turn their backs on a girl who has been abandon all her life?

This book hits on a lot of hard hitting topics and in my mind will wined up in the classic file in no time as a must read book for all school age children. ❤

 

Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban

September 22, 2019

Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban ~ by J.K Rowling is another magical, action-packed wizardry novel.

Harry Potter book 3

In 3rd installment in the series, Harry begins by trying to get the Dursley’s to sign a permission slip allowing him to go to Hogsmeade with his other classmates. However, right before his uncle decides to sign it something goes horribly wrong. Which results in Harry making an escape and heading back to Hogwarts early. Without the slip signed.

While at Hogwarts the teachers refuse to sign the permission slip as well because a deathly prisoner (who escape from a high security prison) is on the loose and the teachers and administrators are afraid that his is out to get Harry.

With the help of Ron Weasley’s brother George and Fred, Harry finds a way to join his classmates on their first field trip to Hogsmeade. It was there that Harry finds out why the teachers are so terrified that Serious Black is after Harry and his special connection to the prisoner. It also leaves Harry with more questions than answers about his parent’s connection to the dark side and their death?

This makes Harry determined to find the murderer himself.

Here Harry is being himself trying to save the day being the hero at the end of the day.

Will Harry be able to capture this monster? Will he ever find out the truth about his parent’s past?

J.K. Rowling does another fantastic job bringing her imagination to life and taking the reader in another whirlwind journey with the boy wizard!! 🙂

 

Rich People Problems

September 1, 2019

“Rich People Problems” ~ Kevin Kwan was another action-packed family drama, full of twists and turns! That will have you having all of the emotions in the book

In the 3rd and final installment of the Crazy Rich Asian series Rich People Problems, the whole family gathers as the monarch of the family is passing away. Surprise guest show up to make a few last minute piece offerings before it is to late. The real questions are: 1.) Will Su Yi forgive those who have wronged her in the past? And 2.) Who will wind up inheriting the famous Tyersall Park Estate after her passing? Since Su Yi only son Philip Young abruptly moved to Australia and Su Yi gave the house to his son Nicholas Young and after Nicholas went on to marry Rachel Chu against everyone’s wishes. It is still up in the air in who will get the famous estate.

Throughout the storyline another huge scandal erupts. As Astrid Leong and Michel Teo are in the mist of a huge five year long divorce and custody battle over their only son Cassian. Charlie Woo her first ever love, wins her heart over and proposes marriage to her in a elaborate way. However, through plotting and scheming Astrid and Charlie exs are trying in every way to get in their way of a happily ever after.

Kevin Kwan has done a fantastic job wrapping up with this Asian family drama and action-packed novel. It will be having you laughing and crying all the way through. It surely does not disappoint.