Sunday, June 5, 2016

Perfect Days - Raphael Montes

This was the book in my Muse Monthly subscription. I like this subscription service since it is not just another YA and it wasn't full of a bunch of pointless items that would end up in a junk drawer. Its a book and tea, cant go wrong there.

Teo Avelar could be a perfect boyfriend, if only Clarice was cooperative she would not currently be stuffed into a pink Samsonite suitcase.

Teo is a medical student and shows sociopathic tendencies (I would say that his character can make emotional attachments and feel empathy, it is his conviction of love for Clarice that drives his behavior). He keeps to himself and his best friend, a cadaver named Gertrude, when he comes across Clarice at a barbecue and immediately feels a connection to her.

Clarice is a university student off for break. She wants to get away and finish writing her screenplay about a group of girls that go on a road trip. The screenplay ends with the character waking up, it was all a dream. Is this ending a reflection that Clarice wants to wake up from her own personal nightmare?

The plot follows the emotions of Teo, mellow and slightly colorless. He spends weeks doing the same thing. Then there will be a “well that escalated quickly” moment. Example, let me tell this girl I like her, by bashing her head with a book that was meant to be a gift. Teo cannot just leave her to wake up mad though, he loves her. She would love him too if she just would warm up to the idea. Teo uses Clarice’s vacation plans and screenplay as his opportunity and carts her away in the suitcase. Good boyfriend material that he is, he takes time to make sure she looked comfortable!

The plot fell apart a little at the middle end and there were a lot of questionable transitions and questions that were left unanswered so could only give 3 stars. I did really love the last lines though.

Thursday, June 2, 2016

TBR

On Instagram I have fallen into the trend of taking pictures of books. It is not as easy as it looks to make creative/beautiful photos. Those that take the time to bring in a lot of props… props to you! As I see these books though it makes me add more to my “to-read” list on GoodReads. Which leads me to look at their Giveaways which adds to my growing problem… my To Be Read pile.

Most of my current book collection are books that are waiting patiently to be read. I have one Ikea Billy bookcase that is not even half full of read books. My collection of books I couldn’t be parted with even when I moved in the middle of summer in 107 degree heat to a third story apartment. It was a dry heat… Anyways I digress, I have two 6ft uprights and one 4.5ft upright bookshelf crammed with books that I want to read. My hubby thinks I have a problem. I think of it as a investment into my sanity and future retirement, I am only about 40++ years away from that bliss.

My co-workers, who are also fellow bibliophiles, don’t seem to have as an extreme TBR shelf like I do but their lists are as endless as mine.

I came across the books and pieces channel hosted by Elizabeth and thought it would be fun! Basically you have to pick 9 books from your TBR list that match the description below

01. What book have you been unable to finish?
Youth and Revolt – C.D. Payne

I borrowed from a friend. She watched the movie first then read the book and I’m thinking maybe I need to do the same.

02. What book have you yet to read because you just haven't had the time?
All of them… there are way too many to list. With my self-imposed book buying ban though (minus my Muse Monthly box… I need the tea!!!) I hope to make a dent in my bookshelves through the rest of the year.

03. What book have you yet to read because it's a sequel?

I currently have several series waiting for me. The Lunar Chronicles, The Fifth Wave Trilogy, The Dark Tower Series, The Women’s Murder Club, Harry Hole… Next year the book challenge will be series based so some of these will wait till then. Others I hope to sneak into my 2016 challenges and just read them freely!

04. What book have you yet to read because it's brand new?
Perfect Days – Raphael Montes

I just received this in my first Muse Monthly box. It has awesome reviews. Let me not forget to mention that Muse Monthly is a book and tea monthly subscription and the tea that came with Perfect Days was from The Angry Tea Room and wholly smokes! Passion Black Tea yummy yummy yummy.

05. What book have you yet to read because you read a book by the same author and didn't enjoy it?
The Fault in Our Stars – John Green

I did not overly like Paper Towns. I saw the movie first and liked the story line/ strength of characters portrayed and thought the book was going to be a million times better. The two are not even remotely alike! **Side note, I usually try to read the book first and rarely ever do I like the movie over the book. This might actually be the first time this has ever happened**

I saw the movie The Fault in Our Stars and I am worried the same thing will happen!

06. What book have you yet to read because you're just not in the mood for it?
A Pirate Looks at Fifty – Jimmy Buffet

I bought this to take to Jamaica. I read the first couple chapters before we left and forgot to bring it with me. It isn’t a bad book, his writing style I actually like. I just have so many other book vying for my attention. I have this in my June pile though since it falls into my 2016 challenge.

07. What book have you yet to read because it's humongous?
The Stand – Stephen King

I have wanted to read this book forever but it is such a huge commitment. It is on my to-read June pile though since it fits into my 2016 reading challenge, a book that was a bestseller the year you were born.

08. What book have you yet to read because it was a cover buy that turned out to have poor reviews?
The Sunken Cathedral – Kate Walbert

This book has a 2.84 average rating on GoodReads but the cover is so pretty! I received this as a GoodReads first read. I selected it for the title/cover/synopsis. Hubby is partial to WWII and it is rubbing off on me.

09. What is the most intimidating book in your TBR pile?
Humans of New York: Stories – Brandon Stanton

The images and the stories can be so haunting. I already own and looked through the original book of just the pictures and loved it so much. I am just scared the stories will be too emotional for me to handle.