Top Ten Books That Were Hard For Me To Read

This is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week, they post a new Top Ten list that one of their bloggers will answer. Everyone is welcome to join!

Today's list is:

Top Ten Books That Were Hard For Me To Read
(because of difficulty of book, subject matter, because it was cringeworthy-- however you want to interpret)

I don't think that I have ten, but here are the ones that come to mind:

1. LOST SOULS: Hands down, this is THE WORST book that I have ever read! It contained teenage prostitution, statutory rape, rape, and incest. It was just too disturbing for me to enjoy! 

2. ROOM: Despite the disburbing premise of this book, I actually really enjoyed it!  

3. THE CHAOS: I just didn't really care much for this one. I thought the sexual content was inappropriate for a Young Adult title, and I just really didn't like the protagonist.

4. BLOOD'S VOICE: This is another book where I just couldn't connect with the protagonist. The pace of the book was very slow, lots of talk but not much action!

5. ANGELA'S ASHES: The first hour of the audiobook nearly put me to sleep! Sadly, as the tragedies started to unfold, it became more interesting. I ended up enjoying the book, even though parts of it were very hard to hear.

6. A CHILD CALLED "IT": This is the most disturbing auto-biography that I have ever read. As a mom, reading about child abuse just makes me feel absolutely sick to my stomach. It's very graphic and disturbing. How someone could do these things to their own child is just unconscionable and incomprehensible!

So, what books are on your Top Ten list of difficult reads? Please let me know in the comments, or leave me a link to your blog post if you are also participating in the meme!

FrightFall Read-a-Thon: Starting Line #FrightFall

The FrightFall Read-a-Thon has begun!

I have one spooky book and one non-spooky book (well, it's a paranormal romance, so maybe because it's paranormal it qualifies?) that I am currently reading:

The Lair

(The Farm, Book #2)

by Emily McKay

[reading]

Black and Blue

(Otherworld Assassin, Book #2)
by Gena Showalter

[listening]

I will do a wrap-up at the end of the week to show how many pages I read and minutes listened!

Have fun, everyone!

If you want to join me in the read-a-thon, just click on the challenge badge at the beginning of this post to sign up at Seasons of Reading! Many thanks to my favourite read-a-thon host, Michelle!

Book Review: You'll Get Through This by Max Lucado

TITLE: You'll Get Through This 
AUTHOR: Max Lucado 

PUBLISHER: Thomas Nelson
PUBLICATION DATE: September 10, 2013

FORMAT: Paperback, 216 pages
GENRE: Non-fiction, Religion, Inspirational

ISBN: 9781400379262

You'll get through this. Whatever "this" is - financial woes, relationship valleys, health crises.

You fear you won't make it through. You fear that the depression will never lift, the yelling will never stop, the pain will never leave. Will this gray sky ever brighten? This load ever lighten?

Yes! Deliverance in the Bible is bold, brassy, and everywhere. Consider the Old Testament story of Joseph - tossed in a pit by his brothers, sold into slavery, wrongfully imprisoned. But God wove what was meant for evil into good.

God is in the business of redeeming the broken. He was then. He is still. Do you crave some hope for these tough times? Then this is the message you need.

You'll get through this.
It won't be painless.
It won't be quick.
But God will use this mess for good.
Don't be foolish or naive.
But don't despair either.
With God's help, you'll get through this.

MY REVIEW: 

Max Lucado is a gifted writer! I have read some of his children's books, but this is my first book of his geared towards adults.

The past several years have been trying times for me personally, and I was looking for some inspiration and some comfort. I didn't think that I would find it, but I was also looking for some spiritual guidance and understanding. I found all and more in Lucado's book. The way that he writes is wholly engaging. He has such a way with words, and he cuts right to the heart of the matter. I love his direct approach! In each chapter, he ties in the story of Joseph. It sure makes me look at that Old Testament story in a brand-new way. Lucado has brought more meaning and understanding of Joseph's story to me, and this book has touched me deeply on a very spiritual level.

I absolutely loved this book, and I would highly recommend it for anyone who is dealing with a troubling situation. I have read the chapters in this book over and over again, absorbing every word and drawing the strength from Lucado's words. Although this was a library copy, it has touched me so greatly that I will be buying it because I know that I will turn to it again and again.

MY RATING:

5 stars!! It was superb! I loved it, and I will likely re-read it again in the future! You should definitely read it!

This book qualifies as: 
#2 for my 2014 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
#2 for my 2014 Let Me Count The Ways Reading Challenge: Book Level  
#2 for my 2014 Quick Fix Challenge       
#2 for my I Love Library Books Reading Challenge 2014 

#2 for my Nonfiction Reading Challenge 2014
#39 for my Monthly Mix-up Mania: 2013 to 2015 Edition    
#2 for my 2014 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge
#1 for my 2014 Monthly Motif Challenge
#2 for my Anne & Kristilyn's 2014 Book Bingo Reading Challenge
#23 for my Five-Year Reading Challenge: A Non-Fiction Adventure   

View all my reviews

#WaitingOnWednesday: The Vault by Emily McKay @Emily_Mc_Kay @berkleyromance

Hi, everyone!

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Here is this week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection:

TITLE: The Vault

SERIES: The Farm, Book #3
AUTHOR: Emily McKay 

PUBLISHER: Berkley Trade

EXPECTED PUBLICATION DATE: December 2, 2014

FORMAT: Paperback, 384 pages

GENRE: Young Adult, Science Fiction/Dystopia

ISBN: 9780425275887

There is no rest for the damned in this thrilling follow-up to Emily McKay's The Lair and The Farm, in a series New York Times bestselling author Chloe Neill calls, "Equal parts Resident Evil and Hunger Games."

In a world where vampires rule and teenaged humans are quarantined as a food source, there is only one choice—resist or die. But fighting the vampires comes at a terrible cost to twin sisters Mel and Lily and their best friend Carter . . .

With Lily exposed to the vampire virus and lying in a coma, it’s up to Mel and Carter to search for the cure. Time is not on their side. With every passing heartbeat, Mel is becoming more and more purely vampire.

Desperate, Carter and Mel decide to split up. Carter will recruit human rebels from the Farm in San Angelo to infiltrate the guarded kingdom of the vampire Sabrina and steal the cure. Mel will go back to her mentor, her friend, her betrayer, Sebastian, who is the only one who can access an underground vault that may house the secret to the cure.

That is, if he’s still alive after she staked him to the ground. Now her worst enemy may be their best hope for curing Lily—and saving the human race.

I just finished Book #1 of this series, The Farm, and I am currently reading Book #2, The Lair. I'm looking forward to reading this next book in the series!

  

What are you waiting on? Please leave a comment in the section below. If you participate in this meme, please leave a link so I can visit your blog!

Top Ten Books On My Fall To-Be-Read List

This is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week, they post a new Top Ten list that one of their bloggers will answer. Everyone is welcome to join!

Today's list is:

Top Ten Books On My Fall To-Be-Read List

1. THE LAIR: I just finished reading the first book in this series, The Farm, and I really enjoyed it! I want to get to this one before the third book, The Vault, is released in December.

2. BLACK AND BLUE: I loved the first book in this series, Last Kiss Goodnight, which is a yummy paranormal romance! And don't you just love that cover?

3. SHADES OF EARTH: I bought this audiobook when it came out back in January 2013, and I still haven't gotten to it!! I absolutely loved the previous book in the series, A Million Suns, and I really want to find out how this series ends! 

4. ALLEGIANT: Ditto for this series! I need to find out how this series concludes!!

5. REACHED: Are you noticing a theme here? LOL! I need to finish a bunch of series!!

6. SEVER: And yet another series that I need to finish! I was a little disappointed in the second book in the series, Fever. It just didn't knock my socks off as much as the first one, Wither. I'm hoping this one is as thrilling as the first!

7. LOVER AT LAST and 8. THE KING: I love the Black Dagger Brotherhood series!! I have these audiobooks already, and I need to get caught up in the series before the next one comes out in 2015!

9. FIGHTING TO SURVIVE and 10. SIEGE: With Halloween around the corner, it seems like a good time to finish this post-apocalyptic series! Nothing says Halloween like zombies!

11. MIDNIGHT: Dean Koontz is a favourite author of mine, and I particularly enjoy reading one of his books to creep me out at this time of year!

So, what books are on your Top Ten list to read this Fall? Please let me know in the comments, or leave me a link to your blog post if you are also participating in the meme!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

This weekly meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

I'm listening to:

TITLE: Black and Blue

SERIES: Otherworld Assassin, Book #2
AUTHOR: Gena Showalter 

NARRATOR: George Newbern
PUBLISHER: Simon & Schuster Audio

PUBLICATION DATE: October 22, 2013

AUDIO: 9 hrs, 11 mins

GENRE: Paranormal Romance

ISBN: 9781442366268

New York Times best-selling author Gena Showalter's pulse-pounding paranormal series continues with an electrifying story about the ultimate warrior and his prize: a beautiful woman he will do anything to possess. He is every woman's fantasy... Corbin Blue is a man of many talents. One of the most powerful otherworlders ever born, he is wealthy, a professional football star, and a legend in the bedroom. But only a select few know he is also a black ops agent...and there is no better killer. When he and his crew are attacked and separated, he's forced to turn to his boss's daughter for help - a woman with even more secrets than Blue. She becomes his only obsession... Evangeline Black has always been wary, guarded. No man has ever breached her walls. Until Blue. He has never been denied something he wants, and now he's decided he wants her. As he sweeps her into his double life of seduction, intrigue, and danger, he helps her see beyond the darkness of her past. But as an enemy closes in, Blue will have to let Evie go to keep her safe - even though he'd rather die than live without her...

I'm reading:

TITLE: The Lair

SERIES: The Farm, Book #2
AUTHOR: Emily McKay 

PUBLISHER: Berkley Trade

PUBLICATION DATE: November 5, 2013

FORMAT: Paperback, 432 pages
GENRE: Young Adult, Science Fiction/Dystopia

ISBN: 9780425264126

In the battle against the vampiric Ticks, humanity was slowly but certainly headed for extinction. For months, twin sisters Lily and Mel had been “quarantined” with thousands of other young people being harvested for their blood—food for the Ticks. Finally escaping with a few friends, the twins are separated—and must continue the fight on their own . . .

After making it to a resistance base camp in Utah, Lily learned to survive at all costs. But when a Tick attack decimates the fighters, Lily and her pregnant friend, McKenna, decide to make the hard trek north to Canada—and safety.

Meanwhile, Mel is being taught how to survive by the very vampire that turned her. Living without her sister is hard, but dealing with the fact that her autism was cured by the vampire bite is an even bigger challenge.

But when a monstrous betrayal places Lily in mortal danger, Mel must set out to find her, save her, and begin to unravel the empire of destruction that the Ticks have built.

What about you? Please let me know in the comments and, if you are also participating in this meme, leave me a link to your blog post so that I can stop by!

#WaitingOnWednesday: Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs @AceRocBooks @Mercys_Garage

Hi, everyone!

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Here is this week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection:

TITLE: Dead Heat

SERIES: Alpha & Omega, Book #4
AUTHOR: Patricia Briggs 

PUBLISHER: Ace

EXPECTED PUBLICATION DATE: March 3, 2015

FORMAT: Hardcover, 304 pages

GENRE: Urban Fantasy

ISBN: 9780425256756

The new Charles and Anna novel

Praised as “the perfect blend of action, romance, suspense and paranormal,"* the Alpha and Omega novels transport readers into the realm of the werewolf, where Charles Cornick and Anna Latham embody opposite sides of the shifter personality. Now, a pleasure trip drops the couple into the middle of some bad supernatural business…

For once, mated werewolves Charles and Anna are not traveling because of Charles’s role as his father’s enforcer. This time, their trip to Arizona is purely personal, as Charles plans to buy Anna a horse for her birthday. Or at least it starts out that way...
Charles and Anna soon discover that a dangerous Fae being is on the loose, replacing human children with simulacrums. The Fae’s cold war with humanity is about to heat up—and Charles and Anna are in the cross fire.

This is one of my favourite series! I absolutely love Charles & Anna, and I can't wait until the next one in the series is released. My only complaint is the three-year wait since Book #3!

  

What are you waiting on? Please leave a comment in the section below. If you participate in this meme, please leave a link so I can visit your blog!

Top Authors I've Only Read One Book From But NEED to Read More

This is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week, they post a new Top Ten list that one of their bloggers will answer. Everyone is welcome to join!

Today's list is:

Top Authors I've Only Read One Book From But NEED to Read More

1. JEFF ABBOTT: I just loved Adrenaline, which is a fast-paced thriller. The main character, Sam Capra, is a smart-ass and I couldn't get enough of the non-stop action! I actually have the next two audiobooks in the series, but I just haven't gotten around to listening to them yet!

2. NELSON DeMILLE: I loved Mayday, which is another heart-pounding thriller. If you like to flirt with disaster, try reading or listening to this one while you are on a long-distance flight!

3. DIANA GABALDON: Who hasn't swooned over Jamie Fraser? I loved Outlander! Narrator Davina Porter is phenomenal and makes this story come to life, and it's a good thing too because the audiobook is nearly 33 hours long! I assure you that I was riveted from start to finish. Gabaldon's books require that you devote quite a chunk of time to them, so I guess that's the reason why I've hesitated to pick up the next one although I am anxious to get back into this series!

4. TESS GERRITSEN: I really enjoyed The Bone Garden, which is a suspenseful mystery that takes you back to the 1830s. I love a great mystery writer!

5. JOHN IRVING: This is another book that requires a good chunk of time. The audiobook clocked in at nearly 27 hours, but Irving held my interest. A Prayer for Owen Meany is very thought-provoking, and I loved it!

6. BRODI ASHTON: I need to catch up on this series! I really enjoyed Everneath, and I want to find out what happens with Jack, Nikki, and Cole! Now that the series is complete, I'd like to read the remaining books back to back.

7. JODI MEADOWS: Here's another series that I really need to finish! I loved Incarnate, and I loved the character of Ana.

8. LAINI TAYLOR: This was my favourite YA read of 2011. I loved, loved, LOVED Daughter of Smoke & Bone!! I have already bought the next audiobook in the series, but I want to go back and listen to this one again because Khristine Hvam is such a superb narrator!

9. CHEVY STEVENS: I loved Stevens' debut novel, Still Missing. It was a real page-turner with non-stop suspense. I really want to read more from this Canadian author!

10. ANNE BISHOP: This is a fantastic urban fantasy series! Bishop's world-building in Written in Red has me hooked, and I can't wait to read more. I want to catch up with the second book in the series before the third one is released in March 2015.

11. SUZANNE YOUNG: Yeah, yeah, I know. This is actually a Top Eleven List instead of just a Top Ten, LOL! But I couldn't leave Young's The Program off my list! I loved this dystopian novel, and the romance between Sloane and James just tugged at my heart.

So, who's on your Top Ten list of authors that you have read only once but want to read more from? Please let me know in the comments, or leave me a link to your blog post if you are also participating in the meme!

Book Review: The Separation Guide by David R. Greig

TITLE: The Separation Guide 
AUTHOR: David R. Greig 

PUBLISHER: Self-Counsel Press
PUBLICATION DATE: February 15, 2011

FORMAT: Paperback, 168 pages
GENRE: Non-fiction

ISBN: 9781770400573

This is one of the most comprehensive, ready-to-use manuals for separation and divorce for everyone, no matter their marital status or sexual orientation. Covering all the key separation and divorce topics, the author's goal is to provide money-saving tips for dealing with assets, finances, legal processes, and even post-separation life planning for common-law, same-sex, and married couples. This guide will help individuals in any process of their separation make cost-effective choices, understand their options, and take control of their lives.

MY REVIEW: 

Although this book is written by a Canadian family law lawyer, I find it refreshing that he urges people dealing with a marital break-up to try to resolve their issues without going to a trial. Litigation, as we know, is very costly and both parties have a much better likelihood of reaching a mutually-agreeable settlement if they are in control of the outcome. Grieg sets out the matters that separating and divorcing spouses need to discuss. If they can do so in an amicable manner, they can save time and costs by doing the legwork themselves and obtaining independent legal advice on the final agreement before it is signed.

For those that have separated and are looking for some advice and direction on how to begin the process of formulating a Separation Agreement, I would recommend this book. I found it informative, practical, and helpful.

MY RATING:

4 stars!! It was really good!

This book qualifies as: 
#1 for my 2014 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
#1 for my 2014 Let Me Count The Ways Reading Challenge: Book Level  
#1 for my 2014 Quick Fix Challenge       
#1 for my New Author Challenge 2014
#1 for my 2014 Reading Challenge: First-Reads   

#1 for my I Love Library Books Reading Challenge 2014 
#1 for my 8th Annual Canadian Book Challenge
#1 for my 2014 Literary Exploration Reading Challenge   
#1 for my Nonfiction Reading Challenge 2014
#1 for my 2014 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge
#1 for my 2014 Monthly Key Word Challenge
#1 for my Retreat's Reading Bingo Challenge 2014
#1 for my Anne & Kristilyn's 2014 Book Bingo Reading Challenge
#22 for my Five-Year Reading Challenge: A Non-Fiction Adventure   

View all my reviews

Canadian Book Challenge 8

This challenge is being hosted by John at The Book Mine Set.

Here are the details copied from John's blog:

Canadian Book Challenge 8

1. What is the Canadian Book Challenge?

The Canadian Book Challenge is an annual online reading challenge in which participants from Canada and around the world aim to read and review 13 or more Canadian books in a one year span: Canada Day to Canada Day. Reviews must be posted online and participants are asked to share links to their reviews with other participants. More on reviews below.(It's also a lot of fun and collectively we've read and reviewed thousands of Canadian titles! Actually, the whole books, not just the titles.)

2. How do I join?

Send me an email (jmutford (at) hotmail [dot] com) with the subject line "Sign Me Up!" and I'll add you to the list. Consider yourself a participant even if you don't get a response from me right away. Come July 1st you can get started right away. As soon as I get your first link (see below), I'll add your name to the participant list on the sidebar of this blog.

3. Oh no, it's past July 1st, can I still join?

Of course! In the past I've had people join in the very last month. My response to latecomers is always the same: If you think you can realistically read and review 13 books in the time remaining, then why not? To join, just follow the exact same instructions as above.

4. What constitutes a Canadian book?

Canadian books can include any genre or form (picture books, poetry, novels, non-fiction, plays, anthologies, graphic novels, cookbooks, etc), can be written by Canadian authors (by birth or immigration) or about Canadians. Ultimately, participants must decide for themselves whether or not something fits the description of Canadian.

4. Do I need to know ahead of time which books I'll be reading?

No. But by all means, if you want to plan ahead, do so. Some people find it's more of a challenge to do it this way, and others prefer to find their next book as it comes. If you do make a list and decide to alter it along the way, that's fine.

5. Do I need to have a theme?

No. I personally like to read at least one book from each province and territory (it's the whole reason 13 has become the goal number). In the past, some of the themes included deceased authors, mysteries, aboriginal books, poetry, and rereads. In other years we've had people choose books solely by a particular author or province. The options are yours to decide.

Certainly a theme could make the challenge more difficult, but then again, it could also make it more fun. In any case, the majority of participants opt to have no theme at all, just pushing for 13 random Canadian books. They feel they can still read what they want, when they want and aren't too confined by restrictions. The choice is up to you.

6. What if I don't reach 13 books or if I do?

If you don't, but you've had fun, it's still good. Your reviews will still be read by other participants. And you'll have a chance again when the next edition comes around. Some people ask if it's okay to fill up the remainder with children's books since they're shorter. I personally think children's books (picture books) are just as valid and need to be read and discussed as much as novels. Others think that it's a challenge, and as such, shouldn't be easy. Again, this is a participant's decision to make.

If you do reach 13, you may stop, or keep going. Remember, it's 13 or more. I love to see how many I can squeeze in. There are no prizes for reading the most. I want to stress that this is not a competition against other people. However, for all those that do meet the requirement of 13 or more, your names will be put in for a random draw for a prize.

7. Can my books count towards other challenges?

Of course! That's half the fun! I read some this past year that counted in the Graphic Novels Challenge and the Canadian Book Challenge.

8. I don't live in Canada and am finding it difficult to get my hands on Canadian books. Any recommendations or solutions?

It'll probably be easier to find some of our "big names" at your library (Margaret Atwood and Carol Shields, for example). Of course, you can always order online and check out the digital book market. And if you ask nicely enough, Canadian participants have been known to ship books far and wide to help out.

9. What if I read a book and don't have time to review it?

Sorry, that's one point I'm sticky on. I don't count it until it's reviewed. By all means, feel free to read 13 Canadian books, but the reviewing part is an equal component of the challenge. I want the books talked about even if you didn't enjoy it. While I say "review" I don't mean anything necessarily lengthy and I don't mean necessarily a review as much as I mean your thoughts on the book, questions about why an author said something, memories it stirred up. Anything, just something.

10. What if I don't finish a book, can I still review and count it?
Personally, I wouldn't but it's entirely your choice. If you feel that it's the book's fault that you didn't finish it, I suppose that's worthy of noting. If you left the book at the beach and haven't found another copy, probably not.
11. I don't have a blog, how do I post a review online?

Most Canadian Book Challenge participants are bloggers, but not all. Book reviews can also be posted on other sites such as GoodReads, Bookcrossing, Chapters, Amazon, and more. However, I do have a few requirements:

i. Participants wishing to read your reviews should not need a membership or sign up to do so. For instance, anyone can read a review at Chapters, so it's fine. However, a review posted on Facebook would be out since not everyone has a Facebook account and would not be able to access it.

ii. When you share a link make sure it's directly to your review and participants do not have to go searching endlessly to find it. For instance, if you blog, link to your posts, not your entire blog. (For example: Review NOT Blog) If you link from Chapters, after you write and publish your review, you will be be able to click on your review title which will provide your link in the URL bar. (For example: Review NOT Book page)

Yet another option is simply writing your review in an email to me (jmutford (at) hotmail [dot] com) and I'll happily post it on The Book Mine Set.

12. How do I share links to my reviews?

Each month there will be a roundup post here at the Book Mine Set. This year I'll once again be using a link sharing tool from inlinkz.com similar to the one they use at the Graphic Novels Challenge. Whenever you finish writing a review, just head to my blog and click on the "Share your link" icon. Add your name and in parentheses the title of the book you just reviewed, then provide the link. I'll also ask that in the comment section of that post that you bring us up to speed on your progress so far (ex. 6/13 read). I'll send an email reminder once a month.

13. Will there be prizes?

Possibly. In the past I've offered monthly prizes, but I've had to spend a lot of time soliciting publishers for donations.  Canadian publishing companies and authors have been very generous in their support. In an effort to keep my workload down, I'm leaving the ball in their court. Should publishers or authors want to donate books as prizes, they can contact me at jmutford (at) hotmail [dot] com to arrange the details. And if there are no prizes this time around, let's let finishing the challenge be its own reward.

If you would like to join me in the challenge, click on the challenge badge at the beginning of this post. 
 
I will keep track of my progress below (and list some of the ones on my TBR list):

1. The Separation Guide by David R. Greig 
2. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
3. The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje
4. Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
5. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
6. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
7. Linwood Barclay
8. The Sweetness At The Bottom Of The Pie by Alan Bradley (Flavia de Luce Series, Book 1)
9. Douglas Coupland
10. Joy Fielding
11. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
12. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
13. Little Bee by Chris Cleave
14. Atonement by Ian McEwan
15. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
16. Erica Jong
17. J.A. Jance