From LA to S.D.

Beautiful Addictions by Season Vining
Published: January 28th 2014 by St. Martin's Griffin
I love the idea of New Adult books. I think life in your early twenties is such an amazing time and I period of my life I'd love to relive, which is why the idea of escaping there in a book is such a great idea. And yet, in general, I wind up not being a big fan of most New Adult books I read.

The reason for this is that I'm really looking to read about normal adults in their early twenties. Instead every New Adult book I've read is about damaged characters. On top of that they're people who make some of the worst decisions ever, far worse than what I'd read in a YA book. I just wish someone would write a book about college-age students where they made relatable decisions.

Unfortunately, this book isn't that, which made it hard for me to enjoy. It's too bad in a way because out of all the NA books I've read, this was probably the best. But it's just so hard for me to enjoy reading about characters whose decision making abilities seem so wrong.

With that said, there were still some high points of this book for me. It was great reading a book that took place in both Louisiana and California (San Diego specifically, hence the post title. And I loved hearing the back story of Josie and Tristan's relationship. But not to repeat myself, I just wish they turned out to be a little more normal.

I definitely had high hopes for this book and due feel a little disappointed. But I do think, if you enjoy New Adult books this is one of the better ones out there.

3.5/5

Disclosure: I was provided this book from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

Mailbox Monday (80)

Sadly another weekend comes to its close. But at least a small highlight to that is sharing the books we've picked up recently with Mailbox Monday.
From Goodreads
Flappers: Six Women of a Dangerous Generation by Judith Mackrell
This is a non-fiction book that highlights the life of Josephine Baker, Tallulah Bankhead, Diana Cooper, Nancy Cunard, Zelda Fitzgerald, and Tamara De Lempicka. While I have heard of a few of these women, most are new to me. I don't read a ton about the 1920s, but just from the description I can't wait to get into this one.

Redeeming the Dream: The Case for Marriage Equality by David Boies and Theodore B. Olson
I definitely pick up some interesting books from goodreads. Of course a lot of that is because I enter a ton of giveaways, but I think I'm also just really lucky. Although I really try to only enter books that I think I'd enjoy. And while this may not be the type of book I normally gravitate to, I can't help but be intrigued by the topic.

Being Audrey Hepburn by Mitchell Kriegman
This is a New Adult book (at least I think) written by the creator of Clarissa Explains it All (which I used to love). In this book a 19-year-old girl tries on Audrey Hepburn's dress from Breakfast in Tiffany's and is transported into a world of socialites. I think it looks pretty adorable, and I have high hopes for it.

For Review From the Author
Beautiful Addictions by Season Vining
The author of this is cousins with a friend of mine, which is how I picked this up. It is a New Adult book (I'm sure this time), and one I keep hearing good thing about. So hopefully I'll enjoy it as well.

Borrowed from a Friend
Unhinged by A.G. Howard
After reading Splintered a few months ago, this is our current book club book. I did enjoy the first one, although didn't love it. But I'm hoping that this one is even better.

What did you find in your mailbox this week?

Mailbox Monday (57)

Mailbox Monday is a weekly link-up for bloggers to share the books they've picked up recently. Right now it tours to a new host each month, and for December we're linking up at Rose City Reader. As you may or may not know, we're in the middle of deciding the plan for Mailbox Monday for next year. My suggestion was to run it similar to several other link-ups (Follow Friday being one, hosted by Allison Can Read and Parajunkee) where it's co-hosted by the official Mailbox Monday blog and a rotating host. That way you could choose to link-up at either site and find the exact same link of blogs waiting for you. As for my weekly books...
Gifted
The A.O.C. Cookbook by Suzanne Goin with wine notes by Caroline Styne
This was a Hanukkah gift from my dad and was signed by both of the authors. Suzanne Goin is a chef my parents have been a huge fan of for several years, and while I don't believe I've eaten at any of her restaurants I know I've eaten at her husband's. The food insides look delicious and some of the recipes I'm dying to try are Duck Sausage with Candied Kumquats, Peach and Arugula Salad with Burrata, Cumin, and Toasted Almonds, or Grilled Fig Lead Panna Cotta with Figs and Melon Sorbet.

From Goodreads
Stained by Elizabeth Marx
This is an NA book about a girl from rural Alabama. I haven't read much NA books, but so far have enjoyed the ones I've read, and am excited to read more. Plus as I started writing this post realized the author included some bookmarks and postcards as well.

For Review from TLC Book Tours
The Wedding Bees by Sarah-Kate Lynch
This is another book about a Southern girl, exact in this she moves to New York City. From the cover and description I think it looks adorable. Plus the fact I was obsessed with WeddingBee when planning our wedding may have been one reason I was so eager to read this.

What did you find in your mailbox this week?

Quit Playing Games With My Head

Head Games by Erika Rummel
Published: April 30, 2013 by Guernica Editions
I'm a little unsure how to describe this, but I think the closest genre is New Adult. It's about a somewhat naive young women who travels to Argentina to discover who her birth father is. Along the way she's involved in love triangle, and also winds up kidnapped as part of a payback scheme.

With so much happening in this book, I'm surprised at how much pages it took for things to pick up. I don't think I really got into the book or felt like I had figured out the plot until almost 2/3 of the way through.

I liked the idea that parts of the book were in Argentina. Except I wish I got a better picture of what it was like there. There were a few scenes where I felt Argentina came across, but overall I wished I had felt more transported there.

I still think this one has potential, but that it didn't quite work for me. Even now, I feel like this one played a game with my head, that I'm quite sure how I want to remember this one.

2.5/5

Disclosure: I was provided this book through Virtual Author Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.

Today I'm linking up with Blonde Undercover Blonde for Book Club Friday!

Tea for Two

Together Tea by Marjan Kamali
Published: May 21, 2013 by Ecco
Going into this book I was expected a cute chick lit with a matchmaking mother, and a daughter wanting to find love on her own. That's the type of book I enjoy, and would have been perfect for the beach (which is where I was when reading). Except, I was pleasantly surprised and am happy to say this was so much more than that.

The first part of the novel takes place in 1996 when Darya and her 20-something daughter, Mina, both reach the decision that the need to go back to Iran in order to move forward in their lives. The second section, goes back in time to 1978, the dawn of the Iranian revolution, how it impacted Darya, Mina, and their family and what it was like escaping to America. The final third detailed their trip back to Iran.

I don't think I've ever read anything that takes place in Iran, and was fascinated by all the information here. While I do have some idea of the revolution and what happened, I learned far more from this "chick lit" than anything else in my life so far.

In addition, while I loved the history and culture, Mina's story is what really spoke to me. So much of this book is Mina's journey finding herself and discovering what she wants with her life. (Darya had a similar path, but given the age difference it was harder for me to identify with her.) Part of me wants to classify this as new adult, as in the becoming an adult, but not quite sure how that's supposed to happen (similar to my reaction to Bond Girl), except with out the ridiculously naive girl that seems to be standard in the NA genre.

The novel end came close to bringing me to tears, and probably would have if I wasn't reading it in an elevator full of 20 people. But it was so good, I couldn't put it down. I really, truly loved my experience with this book, and feel like this is one I need to start loaning out so everyone I know can discover it.

5/5

Disclosure: I was provided this book through TLC Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.

Freedom is the Ultimate Crime

The Registry by Shannon Stoker
Published: June 11, 2013 by William Morrow
If I had read this a few years ago I would have thought it was such a unique premise. Except now, with the number of dystopians that have gotten big, its themes are awfully familiar in so many others. In The Resistry, Mia is living in a world where at 18 all girls are listed on a database, called the registry, to be sold as a wife to the man whose willing to pay her price.

But even though the world may not have been that unique, I still loved the world building. Each chapter started with a line of two from The Registry Guide for Girls which helps shape girls into the wife they're meant to be, and I thought was an excellent window into the ways the society functions. (Again, not that unique since I've seen similar devices used in Delirium, but still very much appreciated.) Also what I thought was interesting was how the creation of society was handled. All throughout Mia is looking for an answer, but each time the question is asked no one is quite sure what happened and their interpretation of the events that led to its creation is a little different. While it may not be a concrete answer you'd like to have as a reader, the idea that no one really knows and everyone has their owns ideas is probably closer to what would actually happen 100 years afterwards.

While this is a dysptopian, it isn't published as YA. Instead it's being marketed as New Adult, which means it has what's becoming my biggest pet peeve in NA books; that of the innocent, naive girl who had no idea what's going on in the world around her. Thankfully Mia does grow throughout, and I think even she would look down on the girl she was at the start of this story with a little disgust.

The book had so much potential, but while there were aspects I really enjoyed, it didn't quite work. And I can't even really articulate why. The dialogue does feel a little forced and awkward. And there's a pretty big travesty towards the end, except none of the characters seemed to really show emotion on the right scale. There is a sequel, and while I don't see myself running out to buy it, I still think I'd read it, even if it's mainly out of curiosity to see what else happens to this world.

3.5/5

Disclosure: I was provided this book through TLC Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.

Mailbox Monday (36)

I have an awesome mailbox to share this week! It's due to the fact I'm scheduled for so many reviews over the summer, I think almost every week for two months straight. Lucky for me, they're books I'm really exciting about, and happy to share at Dolce Bellezza, our Mailbox Monday host for the month of June.
For Review from TLC Book Tours
The Registry by Shannon Stoker
I'm actually about halfway through this one already. It's a new adult dystopain that feels like a bit of a mix between Delirium and Matched. So far, I'm enjoying my time with it.

The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay
I've read so many amazing reviews of this (as well as the author's The Birth House), so I have high hopes of this historical fiction that takes place in Manhattan in the late 1800s. Hopefully it lives up to my expectations.

Godiva by Nicole Galland
I've read one of this author's before (I, Iago, which I actually shared in my first Mailbox Monday post ever), so I know I'm in for an exciting time. This is another historical fiction taking place in England in the 11th century.

For Review for Virtual Author Book Tours
Tilda Pinkerton's Magical Hats by Angela Shelton
I read a Tilda book last year and that it was a lot fun, which is what I was so excited to see there was another one on tour. The last one was actually more of a middle grade, while this is more of a children's book. Thumbing through it, it looks awesome. My favorite is how there's actual coloring sheets every few pages. I'm thinking I may have to color a few of them myself! Plus the author included a sticker, postcard, and what looks like a mini moo card.

From Paperback Swap
Food Politics by Marion Nestle
This is another book off my mom's wish list. It looks really dense and packed with information, but hopefully I'll get through it one of these days.

What did you find in your mailbox this week? And if you schedule reviews on your blog, what's the most you commit to in a given period? I try to aim for no more than once a week, but sometimes I think every other week would be the better way to do it.

Double Oh...

Bond Girl by Erin Duffy
Growing up Alex always new she wanted to work on Wall Street. But fresh out of college now that she's never, she's not quite sure what she got into. Will she be able to survive as one of the only females in a male dominated field?

When this book first came out I was dying to read it. Except I kept reading negatives reviews of it, and the more I read, the less sure about it I was. But when a friend lent me a copy, it was a perfect time to check it out. And I definitely wish I went with my initial impression, because I really enjoyed this.

I haven't seen this book classified as New Adult, likely because it was published before the current craze, but I think it fits pretty perfectly. After all, Alex has just graduated college and is starting her first job, two things that feel "new adult" to me. Maybe the reason is that Alex seems mature and knows why she's doing, while most of the typical new adult characters seem to not know what they're doing with their lives.

In a way this feels a bit like a memoir, and I think it could have worked as one as well. But I think it works better as fiction. You have to imagine a lot of the events in here happened to at least one person. But since this isn't actually a true story, there's no reason why the experiences of many couldn't all happen to Alex.

There is a bit of a love story in here, but I don't necessarily think it was needed. Part of me understands why it was there, but at times it seemed to take away from all of Alex's work drama.

Duffy does do an awesome job at getting the feel for what it's like working in finance. You may not be there with her, but it sure feels like you are. And while I still can't quite picture what the floor actually looked like, I do have a much better idea of it.

Parts of this book had me appreciate my current job. And yet others made me wonder, what if I had taken a similar career path? What parts of her job sounded exciting to me? I'm not quite sure I'm ready to make that type of career changing decision, but it was fun getting the chance to experience it with Alex.

4.5/5

Today I'm linking up with Blonde Undercover Blonde for Book Club Friday!

Sex, Art, and Murder in the Wild East

Gaijin Cowgirl by Jame DiBiasio
Going into this I knew it was a different genre than I typically read. But it surprised me in a way, because I didn't dislike it. That's not to say I loved it either, but still enjoyed parts of it.

The book starts in Japan, and I was expecting a Japanese based story. Except the story then moves to Thailand, and what I wasn't anticipating was how much more I'd enjoy the parts in Thailand. I think because so much more of the action takes place at that point, it just was the section that was more entertaining to read.

My biggest complaint of this book, was the main character Val. She came off as so naive and stupid, in a way. And while I realize that was the point, she isn't someone I want to spend my time with. The hope would be that she grows through her actions, and while you could argue that she does, Val even at the end, still isn't someone I'd want to read about. I was told the book is classified as New Adult, and while that does fit, it almost felt like a way to rationalize Val's decisions.

Another aspect that isn't quite a complaint, but more like a confusion has to do with how the story is told. Each time a character had a question of what happened, we as a reader jump to that scene in the past. I actually found these historical scenes to be some of my favorites. But in a way it didn't feel fair that we knew this information and the main characters didn't. So while I really enjoyed them, I'm not sure they were needed.

This book is a really fun and action packed tale. I do think overall it has a lot of potential. The treasure hunting story is fun, and the places visited (especially in Thailand), really came alive. The book does leave itself open to a sequel, but unless Val manages to drastically change in it, I can't necessarily see myself picking it up.

3.5/5

Disclosure: I was provided this book through Virtual Author Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.

Mailbox Monday (31)

I always love looking at everyone's mailbox posts. It's so fun to discover what books are out there, and what everyone else will be reading. And while most the time you're just looking at the covers, that and a brief description tend to be all I need to get excited about a book. To see what everybody else is linking up check out this month's host For the Love of Books. As for me...
For Review from TLC Book Tours.
The Keeper of Secrets by Julie Thomas
When I heard this books description it reminded me of The Red Violin, a movie a loved years ago. Plus parts of it take place from the Holocaust, a period I never get tired reading about. I'm actually a few chapters into it, and so far, I'm really enjoying myself.

For Review from Virtual Author Book Tours
Gaijun Cowboy by Jame DiBiasio
I wasn't sure about this one, till I heard that it was classified as New Adult, and that drew me in. I'm still a little apprehensive about this, but it definitely looks like it'll be a little crazy (in a good way!).

What did you find in your mailbox this week?

The Song of the Phoenix

From Ashes by Molyy McAdams
I wasn't a huge fan of McAdams' Taking Chances, so was a little skeptical going into this. From the first few pages it seems like I had the right to be, since the same insta-love, where two characters are head over heels before they even speak, was there again. Except the more I got into the story, the more I found myself enjoying myself.

One of my frustrations with Taking Chances, was that every character seemed to make such stupid decisions. Thankfully this wasn't the case with this one. No the characters weren't perfect, but I could at least understand why they were making their choices, and in a lot of situations think I would have made similar ones.

My favorite aspect of the story was that it was a girl from Southern California falling for a guy from the South. Her being surprised when people said ma'am. Her being called a Yankee, even though no one from California thinks of themselves as Northern. Her not understanding just how big college football is. All things that reminded me of my own journeu from L.A. to LA. And since her love interest grew up on a cattle ranch, it feels like there's a bit of Pioneer Woman mixed into it all as well.

I can't necessarily say I fell in love with this book. But I can say by the end, I definitely had a lot of fun with it. And while I wouldn't have expected to say this, think I'd actually enjoy reading more of McAdams' books.

4/5

Disclosure: I was provided this book through TLC Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.

Take a Chance on Me

Taking Chances by Molly McAdams
I'm still trying to process my feelings about this book. It's titled Taking Chances, but I think a more appropriate description would be Making Stupid Decisions. I'm actually a little in disbelief that there's a person out there who would make such bad decision after bad decision. But even more, there was no one in her life that ever stopped or question one of Harper's decisions. Every enabled her, and the entire time I just wanted to shake some sense in her.

I've her people complain about insta-love before, but I've never read a book where it really bothered me. Except here it was so over the top, and with multiple guys, that I noticed it. But more than that, there was the insta-best friend, and the insta-new parents. All these relationships didn't feel believable.

The only thing I can compare this to is a soap opera, but some people love soap operas. And I've even been know to enjoy a few. Still it felt like drama just to create drama. But I will say, I don't remember the last time I got so worked up by a book that I was literary yelling out loud at it.

This is the first new adult book I've read, and the biggest difference I noticed between YA is that since they're adults they don't have anyone to answer to. Instead they can go party, hook up, and do whatever else they want because they're grown now, and no one can tell them what to do.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this, but in no way could I ever have seen this roller coaster coming. Part of me wants to hate it, and yet I can't quite hate a book that gets me so worked up.

3.5/5

Be sure to come back later today for my review of Molly McAdams second novel, From Ashes!

Disclosure: I was provided this book through TLC Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.

Mailbox Monday (28)

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for bloggers to share the books they've picked up over the week. Although of course, it completely addictive, and you wind up with far more books than you could ever hope to read, but it's part of the reason why it's so fun, right? The link-up travels each month, and for the month of April, our host is MariReads.
Purchased
Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead
This is our book club book for the month. I believe it's a humorous story about wedding planning? I really don't know much about it, but hopefully it's one I enjoy.

For Review from TLC Book Tours
I Never Promised You a Goodie Bag by Jennifer Gilbert
This is a memoir written by the almost Real Housewife of NYC. I've heard good things about it, and am really excited to have the chance to read it. (My review will be up the second week of May.)

From Ashes by Molly McAdams
Taking Chances by Molly McAdams
I'm about halfway through Taking Chances and so far it's been a really crazy book. I'm not quite sure how to describe it, and think I'm going to need a while to collect my thoughts on it. But my review for both will be up on Tuesday, so I guess that means I need to get reading!

What did you find in your mailbox this week? And have you heard the story on how Jennifer Gilbert, was cut from RHONYC?