RTW: Best May Read!

It's Road Trip Wednesday time - which is great news, as I feel myself slacking in the blogging department now that April A to Z and Blog Me MAYbe are done!!!

And today's topic:

What was the best book you read in May?

Well, I have three, actually!

1. GRACELING by Kristin Cashore

I don't know why it took me so long to read this series, but I have to admit - I'm so glad that it did, because I got to read all three books in the series back-to-back-to-back!!!

I adored this book - and I loved Katsa and Po, even more! 

For more details, see my review here.

2. FIRE by Kristin Cashore

If it's at all possible, I finally found a sequel that I loved even more than the first book! Don't get me wrong, as I mentioned above, I loved GRACELING - and I definitely can say it has been a long time since I've read a book that I didn't want to put down, or kept going back to re-read pages! But...I have to say the relationship between Fire and Brigan in this title, really won me over! Maybe it was the horses. Maybe it was the whole knight in shining armour thing...I dunno. But I love me some Brigan.

Stay tuned for my review!

3. BITTERBLUE by Kristin Cashore

Third book in the series, this one picks up right after GRACELING - but ties all three books in so nicely, with a great big bow! 

While there wasn't nearly enough romance in this book - and I totally get that wasn't the point - I still found that I missed the relationships so evident in both GRACELING and FIRE. This title was the darkest of the three, filling in almost all of the blanks behind Bitterblue's treacherous father, King Leck. And it ended, leaving the reader to wonder, will there be a fourth book? 

Well, I sure hope so!

Stay tuned for my review on this one, as well!

Net / net: May was a good month of reads for me! I love when I come across a book - or better yet, an entire series - where I just can't put them down!

Sadly though, I'm now suffering to find something good to read - and have started 5-6 other books (UNRAVELING, PANDEMONIUM, ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, and DITCHED to name a few!), but can't seem to get past the first few chapters!

So with that, I leave you to answer (enter my selfish way of finding great new books to read!):

What was your favorite read in May?

My Review: INSURGENT by Veronica Roth

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Summary:

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

My Review:

I waited for awhile to write this review - partly because I wasn't sure what I felt about the book and partly because I was worried I wouldn't have too much to say.

So I'll start off by saying what first comes to mind about INSURGENT - and it's simple: Not nearly enough Four.

I don't know why this bothered me so much, as I know it's not the focus of the story line. But considering I flew through DIVERGENT in one day, then re-read it again because I couldn't get enough of Tris and Four, it was almost a let-down when I got to INSURGENT. There just wasn't enough interaction between the two of them - and when there were scenes, they spent most of it arguing. And while I think it's sacrilegious to skip pages in a book just to get to the good stuff, I will admit, I had a strong desire to do so!

I'll also admit, I was a tad confused by characters I hadn't read about in a year and found myself asking, "Which one was Will again?" and "What's the name of her friend in Dauntless?". I completely understand why Ms. Roth didn't embed a recap of DIVERGENT and it's characters into the first chapter or two, especially after reading her post on her blog - I'd highly recommend heading on over to Veronica's website to read the recap, if only for a little refresher.

Okay, I know I'm not being very nice to INSURGENT, so here's a little good news: I thought the ending added a great twist I didn't see coming - but I am a sucker for cliffhanger endings, too. And yes, the story line stayed pretty true to course: these are tough times for the Factions, and it's only getting worse. And this is where the book kept me turning the pages, anticipating the action that was about to unfold.

And don't get me wrong - I think Veronica Roth is amazing at story building! Least I forget how quickly I read the first book, then immediately re-read it again. It's that kind of writing I aspire to and in which I hold Ms. Roth and DIVERGENT up on that pedestal as one of my favorite reads.

Net / net: while I didn't get nearly enough of Four, there isn't a doubt I'll read book #3 (currently dubbed DETERGENT!) when it comes out next year. And maybe, just maybe, Ms. Roth is setting us up with the lack of Four-ness in book #2, by what she's about to bring in the third installment. Fingers crossed this is the case.

View all my reviews

Blog Me MAYbe: What Writing Conferences Would You Like to Attend?

It's the last Wednesday of May, which similar to last week, means not only do I get to ask something about you - but I also get to participate in today's RTW! 

AND THIS WEEK'S TOPIC: What book and/or writing conference would you love to go to?

For RTW's Conference Theme Week, they want to know which writing, reading, book blogging, or other publishing-related conferences are on your "must attend" list. Here's a great breakdown of some of the main conferences, as well as Phoebe's reminder that other kinds of conferences can totally relate to writing, too!

There are several conferences I'd love to go to, but in particular, I've got two I've always wanted to attend - and some day I will! What would be even better, is if all my writing pals out there were able to go, too - I'd love to meet so many of you in person!

1. Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators annual conference in LA:

2. BEA: Book Expo America in NYC:

So how about you? What writing conferences have you always wanted to attend?

Blog Me MAYbe: What Faction Are You?

It's Wednesday, which means not only do I get to ask something about you, but I also get to participate in today's RTW - something I haven't done in so long! 

And This Week's Topic: What Faction Are You?

In honor of Bookmobile Book of the Month, Veronica Roth's INSURGENT, I want to know which of the five factions in the DIVERGENT series would you choose?

Here's a great breakdown of the five factions, and if you're on the fence, you can even take the quiz for a hint!

And where did the quiz say I would land?

This would've been the faction I chose, quiz or no quiz, as it suits my personality perfectly...especially since I would've been the first to jump, too. :) But what about you?

Which faction would you choose?

Blog Me MAYbe: Friday Funnies!

Yay! for Friday!!!

Man, it's been a tough week around the ole' Pink Palace (check out this article to find out why). And while I'm grateful I still have a job...I'm still so glad the weekend is finally here!

My plans for the weekend include: dinner and a movie (probably BATTLESHIP - mmmm, Alexander Skarsgard!), revisions, and shopping for carpet for the WHOLE house (jealous, I know...).

A few Friday Funnies I just had to post, as they made me laugh this morning!

At 4'11" on a good day, I know how he feels...

And yet, all the characters in my first book had lush, rolling waves of fiery hair!

Huh.

I actually think I need this for myself!

And if you're a dog owner, this is one of the funniest Tumblr sites - most of which I shouldn't post to my blog:

Happy Friday, everyone - what are your plans for the weekend?

Blog Me MAYbe: There's Someone Awesome I'd Love For You To Meet

I can't believe it's already the 3rd Thursday in May - but since it is, that also means I get to share something about someone else today, in the Blog Me MAYbe blogfest.

But first, a video:

Many of you may have seen this video last week, as it rapidly took the world by storm. It was filmed by one of the patients in the hemoncology floor of Seattle Children's Hospital here in my neck of the woods, and features numerous other patients, as well as some of the amazing nurses there.

And why did I choose to share this video? Not only because it's inspiring, but also because this video touches a personal chord for me. 

You see, my older sister has worked for Seattle Children's Hospital for years. And while originally her job was one behind a desk, she'd surprised us all a couple of years ago, when she announced she'd decided to go back to school to become a nurse - a decision made based on much of what we'd been dealing with, with our mom. And not only had she decided to go back to school, but she was already more than halfway done with her course work! 

While I may be biased because she's my sister, I do think it takes a pretty amazing person to be able to work in the medical field, especially those that work with children...and even more so, when they work with kids that have cancer. A job I'm not sure I'd be able to do myself, which is why I'm sure I write for kids, instead.

My sister will graduate from the nursing program at Seattle University on June 10th - less than a month away - and once she's finished, not only will she have added a third degree to her repertoire, but more importantly, she'll also become one of the nurses shown in this video. She is fortunate to already work with all of these kids that have now become superstars, in the clinic she's in this quarter - and honestly, I can't wait to see her dancing around with the kids in a new video, next year.

I'm very proud of my sister and what she's decided to take on in her life. She'll make a fabulous nurse at Seattle Children's Hospital. And I'm grateful there are people like her and all the nurses in the video, that are unselfishly willing to do whatever they can, to find a cure for this horrible disease - and to help those who need it most.