Sunday, July 7, 2013

Achieving Apollo by Rachael Leslie

This was my Random Read for June.  I did finish reading the book in June, but I am just now writing the review. I went to college with the author and am friends with her sister-in-law. Her sister-in-law advertised the book on Facebook and I really wanted to read it to support Rachael. Also it is a twist on Greek mythology and I really like myth twists.


Bert Myers is living the rock and roll dream. He and his band are on top of their game, if only he could get rid of his terrible nightmares. When the nightmares start to happen while he is awake, he knows he has to find help. Help comes in the form of Greek gods and they claim he is Apollo. They want him to accept his destiny and give into his visions to save the world. The gods are battling the Titans again and it is up to Bert as Apollo to try to save the world.

I loved her writing style and it was actually a quick read. You feel sorry for Bert and admire his strength to try to be Apollo, even when he doesn't want to embrace his destiny. Rachael stayed true to the essence of the Greek myths, the ending may not be 100% happy, but it is in keeping with the endings of many myths. Hermes gives us the Epilogue which was a nice touch and he is as enjoyable a character as Bert. The ending confused me a little, but after taking the time to think about it, it is fitting. I hope she writes a sequel, because I want to know more about the other gods and hope to see them find more of the missing ones. I also like that this could work with teen readers, because it is pretty clean, and our teen patrons love retellings of myths.

Favorite Character: I did like Bert, but Hermes is my favorite. Hermes tends to be my favorite in most retellings. He is funny, but loyal. He also knows when to be serious and when to cut up.

Favorite Quote: "'Has anyone ever told you to welcome creativity? Let it come when it wills, and beautiful things might happen. Hold it away, and it taunts when you beg for it.'"

I really enjoyed the story and hope she writes more. 4 cups of cocoa!

"We Go Together" participation post



I finished three books! Pretty Little Liars, The Tell-Tale Start, Slither Sisters-now I just have to review them.

I also participated in a Twitter chat for the first time and won a prize! I am still a little confused about Twitter, but I figured out how to tweet and finally how to reply.

I did a few mini-challenges including the Spine Poetry. Thanks again to those hosts!

I found several new blogs to follow (Book Beats, Reading is my Treasure, Effortlessly Reading, The Bibliophilic Nerds, Unraveling Words, The Secret Life of a Bookworm, Fangirls of Fiction, and Such a Novel Idea, Oh Chrys, Shelf Addiction, Love.Life.Read, Tumbling Books, Read.Sleep.Repeat, Reviewing Wonderland, and Bookworm in Boots)  and found several new books to put on my TBR list.

Most importantly I had a lot of fun.
Thanks again to all the hosts!

Saturday, July 6, 2013

"Hound Dogs" participation post



This is a hard discussion post for me. I don't really like the bad boy characters. I guess Will from the Infernal Devices series would be the one I like the most. He acts like a jerk through most of the first two books, but he starts to change his actions toward the end of the second. I won't give any more away, so as not to reveal spoilers. I do like that he likes to read.

Friday, July 5, 2013

Cover Title Scramble hosted by Stephanie at Love. Life. Read.

Today's challenge is hosted by Stephanie at  Love Life Read.

She did a title scramble and you had to figure out the titles. She picked books published from May to August.

May
1. The 5th Wave
4. Just One Kiss
6. It Had to Be You
7. Lost and Found
8. The Boleyn King

June
1. The Moon and More
2. Storm and Siege
4. Sweet Salt Air
8. Two of a Kind
9. One Sweet Ride

July
1. If the Shoe Fits
4. True Love
5. Three Little Words
7. Perfect Fling
9. Home to Whiskey Creek

August
1. Fall of Five
2. Crown of Midnight
3. The Shade of the Moon
5. The Hero
6. Big Sky Wedding

Really fun challenge!

"Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On" participation post



Well, I have only finished one book so far. I am reading more than usual, but I did not accomplish as much yesterday as I would have liked. I will get little reading accomplished today, but I am going to try to stick with my three book goal for the entire read-a-thon. I have met my other goals, so I am pleased about that. Hope everyone else is having a good time and reading plenty!

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Book Spine Poetry hosted by Christine at Oh, Chrys

Today's challenge is Book Spine Poetry and is hosted by Christine at Oh, Chrys!
All you have to do is create a poem, spanning any topic or length using the titles on book spines. You then take a photo of them all stacked up and ready to read!
Here is mine:


American Colonies
Belles March
Martha Washington
Mrs. Lincoln
Team of Rivals
The Lost Hero
There I Grew Up
America's Hidden History

 

I am in a patriotic mood today, since it is Independence Day!

"Tears on My Pillow" participation post


I just finished Prodigy and that book pulled on my heart strings in many ways. The two main characters are grieving the loss of a brother, Day is searching frantically for his other brother, there is unrequited love, and a shocking secret all in one.
Prodigy (Legend, #2)
Putnam

My quote from this would be: "He is beauty, inside and out.
                                                  He is the silver lining in a world of darkness.
                                                  He is my light."