[Review] The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen

The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen 
Publisher: Books on Tape
Publishing Date: March 22, 2011
Format: audio, library
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Length: 7 hours 38 minutes
Goodreads rating: 3 stars

Synopsis 

It’s the dubious distinction of thirty-year-old Willa Jackson to hail from a fine old Southern family of means that met with financial ruin generations ago. The Blue Ridge Madam—built by Willa’s great-great-grandfather and once the finest home in Walls of Water, North Carolina—has stood for years as a monument to misfortune and scandal. Willa has lately learned that an old classmate—socialite Paxton Osgood—has restored the house to its former glory, with plans to turn it into a top-flight inn. But when a skeleton is found buried beneath the property’s lone peach tree, long-kept secrets come to light, accompanied by a spate of strange occurrences throughout the town. Thrust together in an unlikely friendship, united by a full-blooded mystery, Willa and Paxton must confront the passions and betrayals that once bound their families—and uncover the truths that have transcended time to touch the hearts of the living.

My Review

I'm not sure when I first saw this book or what draw me to it. I really love the cover so maybe that's it. Regardless, I got the audiobook from the library and wanted to start it right away. I don't think I really knew what the book was about before I started it, and didn't look at the synopsis until I was about halfway through. It's a pretty interesting book; there are a few big things going on, but overall anticlimactic. That's not necessarily a bad thing, either. It's a book with a steady story and two women learn to live the lives they've always wanted and find out who they are meant to be. It's a book about friendship, love, family, and history. While a skeleton is found at the Blue Ridge Madam, it's not really a mystery; the man whose body is found is just another part of the story and just another part to Paxton's and Willa's lives. Maybe I would have felt differently about this if I had read the book, or listened to it over a shorter period of time; it took me a while to get through this one. 

Tell Me Something Tuesday 1.20.15

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Heidi @ Rainy Day Ramblings. Each week a new question is presented. Check out Heidi's blog for all the details :)

This week's question: Audiobooks: Do you listen to them? Why or why not?

I do listen to them, but not very often. I really prefer to read books, but there are times when listening is just easier. I used to travel a lot in my previous job, just daily trips, but driving can get kind of boring, so audiobooks were a great way to pass the time. I don't listen to them as much, but I have a few left on my iPod that I'd like to listen to. But again, given the choice between an audiobook and a physical book, I'll choose the physical book. 

[Review] Crank by Ellen Hopkins

Crank by Ellen Hopkins
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderrly Books
Publishing Date: Oct 1, 2004
Format: Audio CD
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

Synopsis 

In Crank, Ellen Hopkins chronicles the turbulent and often disturbing relationship between Kristina, a character based on her own daughter, and the "monster," the highly addictive drug crystal meth, or "crank." Kristina is introduced to the drug while visiting her largely absent and ne'er-do-well father. While under the influence of the monster, Kristina discovers her sexy alter-ego, Bree: "there is no perfect daughter, / no gifted high school junior, / no Kristina Georgia Snow. / There is only Bree." Bree will do all the things good girl Kristina won't, including attracting the attention of dangerous boys who can provide her with a steady flow of crank.

My Review

I finally read a book by Ellen Hopkins! I've heard really good things about her novels, and have always wanted to read one. I borrowed the audio version of Crank from my library and listened to it while I was traveling through Italy and Greece on my honeymoon. I really prefer to read books as opposed to listening to them, but I enjoyed listening to this time. 

Kristina, aka Bree, seems like a pretty typical teenager when the book starts. She doesn't really know her dad, though she's got a fairytale image of him in her mind. She begs her mom to let her visit him, and when she does, her life changes forever. She meets a boy who introduces her to crystal meth, or crank as its sometimes known on the streets. Pretty soon, she's spiraling out of control and will do anything to get her hands on more. And while I've never done drugs, or been tempted to, its not impossible to identify with Kristina as a character. 

I've read some reviews of this book (after I finished it) of people who didn't like it because they couldn't identify with Kristina because she uses drugs and "had no reason to." One reviewer even said Kristina had a good life, so she had no reason to start; things weren't that bad for her besides a crappy dad. That makes it seem like a person can only do drugs because they have a crappy life. What about people who have everything they could possibly need and want and a great family? Are they 'not allowed' to do drugs because they have a good life? Or if someone has a crappy home life, they should be the ones doing drugs? I don't condone doing/taking drugs by any means, and I don't think its an answer to anything, but I don't think you can say one person has more of a right to start doing drugs that someone else. Does that make sense? It does in my head, but maybe not one I wrote it. 

I wasn't surprised by some of the things that happened in this book simply because of the content. But it still made me really sad listening to it, and I just wanted to help Kristina so much. The ending, however, was a bit of a surprise to me. I can't talk about it too much because it would definitely have some spoilers, but it was just surprising! 

I'm really glad I was finally able to read a book by Hopkins. I think she wrote this story beautifully, and I can't wait to read more! Glass is the next book in the series, followed by Fallout. I actually didn't know much about this book when I started it, and I didn't know it was a series until just a few minutes ago! Definitely going to grab the next two as soon as I can! I want to know what happens in Kristina's life! 

Other Books In This Series

[Review] Fan Girl by Rainbow Rowell

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell 
Publisher: Random House (audio published by Listening Library)
Publishing Date: Sept, 2013
Format: library audio CD
10 CDs
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

Synopsis 

In Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl, Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan, but for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories? Open her heart to someone? Or will she just go on living inside somebody else’s fiction?

My Review

There's been so much hype about this book, and Rainbow Rowell for that matter, that I was a little nervous to read/listen to this! I was hoping that the hype wouldn't ruin it for me and I could still enjoy it. Thankfully, I really loved this book and hype didn't ruin anything! I was also a little worried that listening to the audio version would take away from this story - it's actually always a concern of mine since I definitely prefer reading the book to listening. But nothing was taken away from the story by listening, and I'll continue to listen to audio books whenever I travel! 

I really liked Cath as a main character. I thought she was incredibly unique, quirky, and fun. Although I don't obsess over a series or create fan-fiction like she does, I could really relate to her! When I was a freshman, I was definitely holed up in my dorm for the first couple weeks because I knew no one, but after a while, I branched out and met a bunch of really great people. But at the same time, I love being alone and reading my books; definitely the introvert part of me (: The love interest in this story was really great too. It took an unexpected turn and that's what I loved about it! Cath and guy (not naming for spoilers!) make a really great couple and I loved reading about their interactions. 

Throughout the story, we get to watch Cath grow and become more open. In the beginning, she's reserved, quit, doesn't like to meet new people or do new things. But as the story progresses, she really opens up and becomes more confident in herself. As much as I didn't care for Wren in the beginning, I liked her towards the end.  I think she's one of the reasons Cath was able to grow so much more and become more independent. In the beginning, I couldn't stand Wren because she completely pushed Cath away and seemed to want to get rid of her. But  not having Wren at her side for everything helped Cath in the long run. 

One thing that I didn't really like were the Simon Snow excerpts. I just felt like the story would have been just as great without them, plus I had a hard time following along with what was happening in that story since we only had small excerpts. Don't get me wrong, I loved having the Simon Snow obsession and fan-fiction in the story, I just don't feel the excerpts were completely necessary. Overall, though, I really loved this book and can't wait to read more by Rowell! 

[Review] Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Publishing Date: Aug 13, 2013
Format: audio book, downloaded
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

Synopsis

How would you spend your birthday if you knew it would be your last?

Eighteen-year-old Leonard Peacock knows exactly what he'll do. He'll say goodbye.

Not to his mum - who he calls Linda because it annoys her - who's moved out and left him to fend for himself. Nor to his former best friend, whose torments have driven him to consider committing the unthinkable. But to his four friends: a Humphrey-Bogart-obsessed neighbour, a teenage violin virtuoso, a pastor's daughter and a teacher.

Most of the time, Leonard believes he's weird and sad but these friends have made him think that maybe he's not. He wants to thank them, and say goodbye. 

My Review

I downloaded this book through Sync Audio files for free. They have a really great program that runs during the summer for people to download 2 books per week. One is generally a classic, and the other is something more recent. You have to sign up, and those titles are only available for download for one week, but its really great! I was able to listen to this book on my phone while I was crocheting (: It was a pretty relaxing weekend to say the least!

I really enjoyed this book. The writing was great, it was easy to follow, and there was so much depth to Leonard Peacock. I felt like throughout the story I really got to know him as a character and why he planned to commit suicide. It's a sad book because you can see how little things can really mean so much to people, and how sometimes one event, or a series of events, can change your life forever.

I couldn't stop listening to find out what was going to happen. Leonard plans out his 18th birthday to say goodbye to 4 people that have greatly affected him. While he's doing this, there are flashbacks to events that happened that ultimately led him to his decision. I couldn't wait to find out what actually happened; did Leonard kill Asher Beal? Did he commit suicide? What happens?!

Overall, it was a great book and I highly recommend reading/listening to it! Most people will thoroughly enjoy this book, even if it is a little sad. I laughed at times... felt like crying at others... It was truly well-written and worth my time. 

[Review] More Than This by Patrick Ness

More Than This by Patrick Ness
Date Started: 6/25/14
Date Finished: 7/9/14
Publisher: Candlewick on Brilliance Audio
Publishing Date: Nov. 26, 2013
Format: audio, library
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

Synopsis 

From two-time Carnegie Medal winner Patrick Ness comes an enthralling and provocative new novel chronicling the life - or perhaps afterlife - of a teen trapped in a crumbling, abandoned world. A boy named Seth drowns, desperate and alone in his final moments, losing his life as the pounding sea claims him. But then he wakes. He is naked, thirsty, starving. But alive. How is that possible? He remembers dying, his bones breaking, his skull dashed upon the rocks. So how is he here? And where is this place? It looks like the suburban English town where he lived as a child, before an unthinkable tragedy happened and his family moved to America. But the neighborhood around his old house is overgrown, covered in dust, and completely abandoned. What's going on? And why is it that whenever he closes his eyes, he falls prey to vivid, agonizing memories that seem more real than the world around him? Seth begins a search for answers, hoping that he might not be alone, that this might not be the hell he fears it to be, that there might be more than just this....

My Review

I picked up the audio version of this book because I've heard good things about Patrick Ness and about this book as well. This is the first story by Ness that I've read, though I do have The Knife of Never Letting Go on my shelves at home. I was excited to start listening to this book! They usually take me a while to get through because I generally only listen to them while driving, and though I travel often for work, its still not a lot of time to get through it. But I finally finished yesterday!

On to the book itself... I'm sad to say that I really didn't enjoy this story. I actually thought about stopping it after the first disc, but as I didn't have another audio book at the time, and I would be traveling about 6 hours the next week, I decided to push through. I couldn't connect with the characters and couldn't get into the story. I found it to be kind of boring and I really only looked forward to hearing about Seth's life before he died. To me, that was much more interesting than what happened after he died. 

I know many people really like this story; you can tell just be looking at the Goodreads rating and the reviews. I was really hoping to like it as well, but it just wasn't for me. I'm still planning to read The Knife of Never Letter Go by Ness, so I hope to like that one better. 

[Review] Where We Belong by Emily Giffin

Where We Belong by Emily Giffin 
Publisher: MacMillin Audio
Publishing Date: July 24, 2012
9 CDs
Format: Audio CD, borrowed

Synopsis 

Marian Caldwell is a thirty-six year old television producer, living her dream in New York City. With a fulfilling career and satisfying relationship, she has convinced everyone, including herself, that her life is just as she wants it to be. But one night, Marian answers a knock on the door . . . only to find Kirby Rose, an eighteen-year-old girl with a key to a past that Marian thought she had sealed off forever. From the moment Kirby appears on her doorstep, Marian’s perfectly constructed world—and her very identity—will be shaken to its core, resurrecting ghosts and memories of a passionate young love affair that threaten everything that has come to define her.

 

For the precocious and determined Kirby, the encounter will spur a process of discovery that ushers her across the threshold of adulthood, forcing her to re-evaluate her family and future in a wise and bittersweet light. As the two women embark on a journey to find the one thing missing in their lives, each will come to recognize that where we belong is often where we least expect to find ourselves—a place that we may have willed ourselves to forget, but that the heart remembers forever.

My Review

I've been a big fan of Emily Giffin's work since I first read Something Borrowed. Since then, I've read most of what she's written and I won't be stopping anytime soon! This story of Marian and Kirby is another great work by Giffin. Her characters come to life in these pages and I felt like I really got to know them. Marian is a hard-working TV producer who seems to have a perfect life. Great job she loves, perfect, hot-shot boyfriend, and great place in the city. But when Kirby shows up, she realizes that there's more to life than her job. On the other hand, Kirby is a teenager trying to figure out who she really is and what she wants to do in life. 

I loved listening to this book and was really sad to see it end! I wanted to keep learning about Marian and Kirby's lives. I loved that the book switched back and forth between both of their POVs. It was great hearing both of their thoughts on issues, even though sometimes I wish it staying with Marian or Kirby, depending on what was happening. I wish I knew more of what happened after the last few pages! Though, this always happens; I always want more. But I guess that's how I know the book was good! 

[Review] Mistress by James Patterson

Mistress by James Patterson 
Publisher: Little, Brown & Co.
Publishing Date: Aug. 5, 2013
Format: borrowed, audiobook

Synopsis 

Ben isn't like most people. Unable to control his racing thoughts, he's a man consumed by his obsessions: movies, motorcycles, presidential trivia-and Diana Hotchkiss, a beautiful woman Ben knows he can never have. When Diana is found dead outside her apartment, Ben's infatuation drives him on a hunt to find out what happened to the love of his life. Ben soon discovers that the woman he pined for was hiding a shocking double life. And now someone is out to stop Ben from uncovering the truth about Diana's illicit affairs. In his most heart-pumping thriller yet, James Patterson plunges us into the depths of a mind tortured by paranoia and obsession, on an action-packed chase through a world of danger and deceit.

My Review

Finally finished this book after listening to the audio version for about 2 weeks. I generally don't listen to audio books, but I had been traveling a lot for work, so I picked a few up. Before I get into the book itself, I'll have to say that I wasn't a huge fan of this speaker/recorder. I don't know if it was his voice or just the way he delivered the story; not a huge fan. It wasn't awful, but I prefer listening to others more.

Now onto the book. While I'm a huge James Patterson fan, in my opinion, this wasn't his best or one of my favorites. The main character really bothered me and I couldn't connect with him at all. From the very beginning he just irritated me. Maybe that's why I wasn't too thrilled about the book. Overall, the storyline was pretty good and there were definitely a lot of twists and turns I wasn't expecting. I think had I not been so annoyed with the main character, I might have enjoyed it a bit more. Unfortunately, just not my favorite of Patterson's work, but that won't stop me from reading everything else he writes! (:  

[Review] Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts

Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts
Series: Bride Quartet, #4
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Publishing Date: Nov. 2, 2010
Format: Audio CD, library

Synopsis 

Parker Brown turned the quartet's childhood game of Wedding Day into their dream jobs. And now she's the face of Vows - the one who meets every bride's demands' keeps every event on schedule' and brigns Emma's romantic flowers, Laurel's delicious treats, and Mac's stunning photography together in one glorious package. She knows how to make dreams come true...

Mechanic Malcom Kavanaugh loves figured out how things work, and Parker Brown - with her mile-long legs - is no exception. But as a good friend to Parker's brother, Mal knows that moving from minor flirtation to major hookup is a serious step.

No man has rattled Parker in a long time, but the motorcycle-riding, raven-haired Mal seems to have a knack for it. His passionate kisses always catch her off guard, much like her growing feelings for him. Parker's business risks have always paid off, but now she'll have to take the chance of a lifetime with her heart.

My Review 

I've read the first book and the third book in this series and really loved them. I have to travel a lot for work, so I picked up an audio book for one of my trips and I'm so happy I picked this one! I never really know if I'll like audio books because I prefer having a book in my hands, but this was a good choice.

Nora Roberts has a knack for creating beautiful stories and its why I continue to read her novels! I love this story and have really enjoyed getting to know all the characters. I still need to read the second book yet (Emma's story) but I can never seem to find it! I'll have to buy in online soon or get another audio book!

What I loved about this story is that there wasn't a huge fight and then perfect makeup. It seems that a lot of romance stories have one really big fight between the characters and then they makeup and realize how much they're meant to be. In this story, there were a few small fights/arguments, but it wasn't anything like I tend to see in others. I like this because that isn't how real life is. People don't always have a huge fight and then get back together and live happily ever after; sometimes couples rarely fight.

Overall, this was a cute, happy book. I really do want to read the second book in this series so I can complete it! I obviously know how it turns out, but I still want to know what it was about! (: If you like romances, or anything else by Nora Roberts, you'll love this, too!