18/30: The Nutritional Bypass by David W. Rowland

The Nutritional Bypass: Reverse Atherosclerosis Without Surgery by David W. Rowland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

From Goodreads: Did you know that there is a time tested, safe, non-surgical method of removing arterial blockages-without side effects? Severe arterial blockages do not have to lead to coronary bypass surgery or heart attacks. Inside this book is a complete program for successfully reversing and preventing hardening of the arteries. You may be surprised to know that cholesterol is not the cause of heart disease and that polyunsaturated oils may actually be doing more harm than good.

This may be a small book, but it was well worth reading.
The research that has been done on Bypass surgery, and other methods of clearing out plaque from arteries was very interesting. I learned a lot about the methods, what the rates of survival are, and if it really does prolong your life. It doesn't for most people, but only because after they have surgery, they return to their ways before. Without change, your health will return to poor again.

I didn't think that the Nutritional information was really far out there like you might expect. I was expecting a very limited diet that most people wouldn't follow. It was very easy, something most of us should be doing anyways. The supplement that he suggested had some great nutrients in it, that based on the studies and reviews, I would suggest to a couple people. It doesn't take a lot of change your diet and way of eating if you want to improve your health. Our heart runs our body, and we need to take care of it properly.

This topic is very near to me and I will be recommending this book to a few people.

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17/30: Diabetes & Hypoglycemia by Michael T. Murray ND

Diabetes & Hypoglycemia: Your Natural Guide to Healing with Diet, Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs, Exercise, an d Other Natural Methods by Michael T. Murray
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Read from July 22 to 24, 2013
Format: Paperback

From Goodreads: Now You Can Combat Diabetes and Hypoglycemia—Naturally!
Struggling with frequent headaches, fatigue, irritability, or depression? Your body may be fighting a blood sugar imbalance. Diabetes and hypoglycemia, the major causes of blood sugar imbalance, are the most common of all diseases and can lead to chronic metabolic problems. Often, traditional medications treat only specific symptoms of these diseases without treating the whole body.

Another textbook done!

I enjoyed this one about Diabetes and Hypoglycemia. As someone who suffers from hypoglycemia, it was great to read about what foods to avoid, what foods to eat and other natural remedies that could help. It's great to know that even if you suffer from either of these blood sugar imbalances, you can get relief from a lot of the symptoms and minimize them leading to chronic metabolic problems.

The section on dietary suggestions was really interesting. It laid out a series of food groups, what is the best for someone with diabetes or hypoglycemia and includes a few recipes to go on. One thing I learned and didn't know before was that the recommended diet for sufferers is the HCF - High Complex-Carbohydrate, High Fiber diet. Most people, when they think of blood sugar, they think of cutting ALL carbs, which isn't what is best. Eating low on the glycemic index is a better idea as our bodies need carbohydrates. Starving your body of glucose will start to cause more issues. Did you know your brain's main fuel is glucose? You need it! But you need the right kind.

It was laid out really well for a non-medical person to understand and put into practice. It was written well with enough medical terms and layman's terms to get the point across. For anyone that has blood sugar issues this is a great little book to have around.

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16/30: The Metabolic Typing Diet

The Metabolic Typing Diet: Customize Your Diet To: Free Yourself from Food Cravings: Achieve Your Ideal Weight; Enjoy High Energy and Robust Health; Prevent and Reverse Disease by William Linz Wolcott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Read from May 27 to July 09, 2013
Format: Paperback

From Goodreads: For hereditary reasons, your metabolism is unique. Cutting-edge research shows that no single diet works well for everyone–the very same foods that keep your best friend slim may keep you overweight and feeling unhealthy and fatigued. Now, William Wolcott, a pioneer in the field of metabolic research, has developed a revolutionary weight-loss program that allows you to identify your "metabolic type" and create a diet that suits your individual nutritional needs.

This is definitely a book a lot of people should read. Your body has a natural set point and a natural way to lose weight. This book helps you find out what that is so you can start a weight loss journey that will be effective (Effective /=/ instant). It's about effective weight loss. Things don't happen overnight, in a week or in a month. They take time, and I think a lot of people don't realize that. To be healthy, and ideal, you need to take time.

The quiz was enlightening. I am a balanced metabolic type (rather than a protein or a carbohydrate) which I probably could have guessed. Basically, I need to eat a balance between protein and carbs to reach and MAINTAIN my ideal weight. For me, that means keeping the weight on. Most people will read that last sentence and close the page. Keeping weight off and keeping weight on are both difficult depending on you as an individual. Eating the RIGHT combination of nutrients will help you do both.

This is definitely a book worth reading and putting into practice. No crazy diet, no extreme foods, just healthy eating based on what is right for YOU.

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15/30: Healing Arthritis by Penny Kendall-Reed

Healing Arthritis: Complementary Naturopathic, Orthopedic & Drug Treatments by Penny Kendall-Reed
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Healing Arthritis was a good overview of the different types of arthritis and natural supplements that can assist in healing and pain relief.

The way the book is laid out was good. They went through the types of arthritis, which I didn't know included so many! Then proceeded to different treatments that can be beneficial, who should stay away from what supplements and treatments and which ones were best.

The material is dry and the delivery is as well. I did like how they included case studies for a number of the supplements. It gave a nice finish and real world perspective of each one. It's amazing that more people don't take the opportunity to use something natural to reduce their pain and inflammation before turning to drugs that have a long list of side effects.

I would highly recommend this book for someone who is treating arthritis, knows someone living with the pain, or deals with it on a daily basis themselves. There are treatments to consider before drugs and surgery.

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14/30: Eating Alive by Jonn Matsen

Eating Alive: Prevention Thru Good Digestion by Jonn Matsen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Read from May 27 to July 08, 2013
Format: Paperback

This was a great book for describing how our digestive system affects our health and how we are damaging it.

It provides a very high level description of each portion of the digestive system, how it SHOULD function and how it DOES function, because for most people, those are not in sync. Matsen does a great job explaining things in terms that anyone can easily understand, using metaphors and examples. The high level explanations were perfect for an overview with as much detail as needed to get the point across. The illustrations I thought were comical and useful. Humour is a great way to get a point through to people and learning about the digestive system isn't exactly the most thrilling subject.

It's interesting to read exactly how much of what we eat and how our digestive system works keeps us healthy. The damage that we do to our systems every day is astounding. When you start to read about it, you really start to think about exactly what you're eating and what your body has to do in order to deal with it.

The only thing I didn't like was the patient letters. It seemed that the point of them was to show how Matsen is great and less about the patient success. I found that annoying and could have done without it.

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13/30: Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Read from April 13 to May 08, 2013
Format: Ebook

From Goodreads: Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.

I was not overly thrilled with this book. Mostly because I wasn't aware of the heavy subject matter until it was too late. If someone would have told me what it was REALLY about, I never would have picked it up. That said, I won't be recommending this one to anyone. There is a warning on Goodreads if you view the Kindle Edition that is not there on the paperback.

I liked the Sky and Holder as characters, but they seemed more mature than I would expect for 17/18 year olds. I would have expected this book to be in university age rather than high school. The seemed to be so much older than they were and it threw me off. Most 18 year olds would not deal with the situations they were thrown into as well as they did. I felt it was a little unrealistic that they both dealt with the realizations as well as they did. Holder sounding like a therapist in parts made me roll my eyes. It seemed like everything was really rushed near the end during discovery and dealing with the past that they didn't have time to really let things sink in.

The relationship between Sky and Holder was worth reading. The chemistry between them was written really well and I loved that fact that he was a respectful boyfriend. And how many books actually go out of their way to work in safe sex to a scene? Not many because it's awkward and breaks up the scene but it was done well, so that was awesome.

I'm conflicted with this one. If I had known the content, I would have went in reading it differently rather than just a romance book. I would only recommend this one if the reader was aware of the content rating and was that it is not a YA book as I was lead to believe It is definitely fits better in the New Adult genre. (Which I'm starting to love the more I read of it.)

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12/30: Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology

Essentials of Human Anatomy &Physiology by Elaine Nicpon Marieb
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Read from April 17 to May 08, 2013
Format: Paperback

From Goodreads: Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology continues to set the standard for short-course A&P texts. Its dramatically updated art program, more streamlined presentation of material, and integration of chapter objectives will help you better visualize and understand the structure and function of the human body. Elaine Marieb's clear and friendly writing style emphasizes the relevance of anatomy & physiology to your life and future career. The book clarifies concepts, defines key terms, and offers just the right balance of anatomy, physiology, and clinical coverage to make the content complete without being overwhelming. Elaine Marieb wrote this book specifically for the one-semester course and continues to carefully select a range of material that proves just right for the shorter course. New information on hot topics like the HPV Vaccine, Infantile Polycystic Kidney disease, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) draws students into the material.

Textbook #2! This book was required for the Anatomy and Physiology Subject of my Natural Nutrition diploma. Short course indeed! I burned through this material. My test is now handed in and I will wait 2 - 4 weeks for the results. Such a long time, but thankfully you don't have to wait to move on to the next module.

This book gave a really good overview of the anatomy system and all the interactions. I skipped taking biology in high school so with no background, I found this text really helpful. It was laid out well, the diagrams that went along with processes described really helped drive the information home. The "Did you get it?" questions sprinkled throughout the chapters were also great.

It truly amazes me how our bodies function. Every little cell plays a role and each organ is so interconnected. I especially loved the Lymphatic System (immune system) and it was very helpful to think of all our immune cells as a little army and what role they would play. I had no idea there was 5 types of white blood cells!
I have to say though, that people get really weirded out when you are reading about the Reproductive System (with drawings) on the bus. Come on people, it's not like you don't have those exact same parts.

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11/30: Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Just One Day by Gayle Forman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Read from April 24 to May 03, 2013
Format: Hardcover

From Goodreads: When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

I wanted to gush about this book. I loved Forman's other books. I just can't. It was good, but not gush-worthy.

I love Gayle Forman's writing. She has a way with words that really sucks you into the story. The descriptions of Paris and Amsterdam made me want to be there... RIGHT NOW. Getting lost in Paris sounds like the perfect way to fall in love with the city.

I didn't love Allyson. She seemed like a smart, strong girl that completely cracked, which threw me off. I've seen incredibly gifted, smart women crack under pressure, so I get that it happens. I know that the point of the book was to show that "one day" can make all the difference, it just seemed unrealistic for me. I didn't get to the point of feeling what Allyson felt, and I think that is what was missing for me. Perhaps it had more to do with her first time, than "being in love" but I didn't see the part where it ruined her life.

I also didn't fall in love with Willem. He just wasn't that guy that would sweep me off my feet like he did Allyson. He wasn't overly romantic to me and he didn't strike me as the guy you'd lose grades over. He was a fling. Love comes and goes and I really didn't feel like he was in love with Allyson at all.

I'm torn on this book. I liked it, but not enough to say "Read this one, it's awesome". I would definitely recommend it for those that love Forman's other books because she is an amazing writer.
I likely won't read the next one. I didn't care enough about Willem to want to find out what happened to him in the next book Just One Year

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10/30: Staying Healthy with Nutrition by Elson M. Haas

Staying Healthy with Nutrition, rev: The Complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine by Elson M. Haas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Format: Paperback
Read from February 19 to April 17, 2013

From Goodreads: Decades of practical experience and scientific research are compiled into one encyclopedic volume that features newly expanded chapters on special supplements, lifestage programs, and breakthrough medical treatment protocals for conditions including fatigue, viral illnesses, weight management, and mental and mood disorders such as anxiety, ADHD, and depression.PART ONE gives a detailed analysis of The Building Blocks of nutrition: water, carbohydrates, proteins, fats and oils, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.PART TWO evaluates Foods and Diets, discussing every food group and most diets around the world. A special chapter on the environment and nutrition raises awareness and offers guidance about food additives, industrial chemicals, food irradiation, electropollution, and other health and ecological issues.PART THREE brings all of this nutritional information together, showing readers how to make wise and commonsense choices while Building a Healthy Diet. A personalized eating plan for the year, The Ideal Diet is both seasonally and naturally based, and a healthy lifelong diet.PART FOUR contains specific nutritional and lifestyle therapies for enhancing all stages of life and suggests treatments for common conditions and diseases such as aging, menopause, bone loss, weight loss, and cancer by focusing on Nutritional Applications: 32 Special Diet and Supplement Programs.Anyone interested in enhancing wellness, eating right, treating illness naturally, and living in harmony with nature will find Staying Healthy with Nutrition to be the ultimate handbook for optimal health and vitality.

As part of my Natural Nutrition diploma this was the first textbook. I made it through this entire textbook plus answering questions and writing two tests in 11 weeks.
This book is filled with some amazing information on ourselves and on our planet. The information provided is extensive and covers a wide range of topics.
My favourite portions of the book were definitely discussing how our earth and all the chemicals we put into it really affect our health. It makes you really think twice about what you're eating, breathing and touching.


Reading about preventative medicine really inspires me to be more proactive in my own health rather than reactive. There is something missing in our current medical system and I, like the author, believe it is preventative medicine. We function in a society where unless you're really sick or have some sort of disease, you aren't worth the time of a doctor. We need to start taking care of ourselves and prevent getting to that point. The more we take care of ourselves and prevent disease as best we can, the better our medical system will become in the future. It's a long way off, but we only need to start.

Definitely a must for my nutrition collection

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9/30: Artemis Fowl (#1) by Eoin Colfer

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Read from March 28 to 30, 2013
Format: Ebook

My book club was in need of a quick, easy read to kick start spring. Artemis Fowl was a good choice.

Cute story but I'm still not sure who the bad/good guys were.
I liked how both the human world and the faerie world had their own set of problems with each other and within them selves.
Artemis was not a character I liked. He was arragont, annoying and full of himself. It strikes me as the same as most geniuses written in books. Is that how they are always written? For being a middle-grade book, I don't think I would recommend this one as a book to teach any sort of value to a child. It did provide a good amount of entertainment, however.

I won't continue the series but it was a good quick read.

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8/30: City of Ashes (MI #2) by Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Read from February 21 to March 14, 2013
Format: Ebook
**THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS**

From Goodreads: Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go -- especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil -- and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings -- and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father
I started this one immediately after finishing the first. This series is one that sucks you into a new world and you don't want to come back to reality. The newly added characters added more depth and insight to the favourites from City of Bones. Cassandra Clare wrote The Inquisitor in this book to infuriate you, put you in a rage and yell at this book. If you read Harry Potter, remember Delores Umbridge? She was a character that I truly hated, and knew it was because of how well she was written. (I can't emphasize how much I hated her, even my husband remembers her name and he's never read the books) Cassandra Clare made me feel that way about The Inquisitor, but on a smaller scale. I was seething every time I saw her name, but she was still a thorn in my side.

Valentine... why are you so evil?! I like you even though I'm not supposed to. (Could it be because I know Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays him in the movie? yum!)

Jace is still arrogant, frustrating and kick ass. Clary is less whiny than most female characters which is refreshing. She has some kick butt powers that I hope she develops more in the books to come. I can't wait for her and Jace to discover what else they can do and what makes them both "special". But they really need to stop and just be brother and sister. It's weird.

Magnus is awesome. He's got to be one of my favourite characters just based on sass alone. If you've watched an episode of Banshee, Job  (Hoon Lee) would be my choice for Magnus. He has sass!!

I'm also loving Luke. He seems like such a great "father" the Clary and genuinely cares about her and her friends. He gives her the space she needs a teenager, but at the same time will always be there for her.

Simon, poor Simon. I was annoyed with him in the first book and really starting to like him now. He's the best friend, the guy that wants more, gets it and then realizes what they had as best friends is better. I love that! I had a friend like that and being besties was by far greater than anything else.

I'm excited for the next instalment! Queued up and ready on my eReader already.

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7/30: Weird Things Customers Say in Bookstores

Weird Things Customers Say in Bookstores by Jen Campbell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Read from February 06 to 07, 2013
Format: Hardcover

From Goodreads: Customer: Have you read every single book in here?

Bookseller: No, I can't say I have.

Customer: Well, you're not very good at your job, are you?

A simple Twitter question posed by John Cleese-"What is your pet peeve?" -inspired Jen Campbell to start a blog collecting all the ridiculous conversations overheard in her bookstore, everything from "Did Beatrix Potter ever write a book about dinosaurs?" to the hunt for a paperback which could forecast the next year’s weather; from "I've forgotten my glasses, please read me the first chapter" to "Excuse me ... is this book edible?"; and from "Can books conduct electricity?" to "My children are just climbing your bookshelves: that's ok... isn't it?"

If we didn't know it already, this irresistible book is proof positive that booksellers are heroes, the world over

Funny! I chuckled a lot reading this one. It is definitely a one sitting book.
Some of the stories make you wonder what the customer was on. Others make you appreciate that books are still popular. I really enjoyed the booksellers comments swathed in sarcasm.

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6/30: City of Bones By Cassandra Clare

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Read from February 01 to 06, 2013
Format: Ebook

From Goodreads: When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . . 

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end

Fantastic book! I devoured it and started the second one the next day. I couldn't put it down. The characters were well written and you really started to care for them all. I loved that even though this book is about good and evil, it wasn't based in one religion. It was a broad scope and didn't focus on a single one. I was riveted while reading the entire book from start to finish.

The world that Cassandra Clare built was beautiful. I could picture it very clearly. she provided just enough detail to not drag the story down but create this wonderful setting.

Clary was a great female character. She wasn't super whiny or annoying. She was thrown into a world she didn't know about and dealt with it well. She was focused on her mother and protecting those she loved. To find out her beloved city was hiding an entirely different world in plain sight was a lot to deal with.

Jace was a great character to balance. Sarcastic, protective and dangerous to himself and others. I liked that he was strong but knowing it was all a show to hide his pain. He had a lot revealed about and to him in the book and even though he is a Shadowhunter, a warrior, he is still a teenager with a lot to deal with.

The surrounding characters were rich as well. The descriptions were great, you really cared for them even if they were supporting roles. With a large cast as this book has, that's rare.

I realize that Valentine is the bad guy, but there is something about him I want to know more about. I have no idea what will happen in the rest of the series, but I want more of him in it. He seems like his heart was in the right place, but a turn of events led him down a dark path.

I will be reading the rest of this series and losing sleep staying up to finish them. Cassandra Clare is a fabulous writer and I'm sad it took me so long to get to her.

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5/30: Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Across the Universe by Beth Revis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Read from December 07, 2012 to February 04, 2013
Format: Ebook

From Goodreads: Amy is a cryogenically frozen passenger aboard the vast spaceship "Godspeed." She expects to awaken on a new planet, 300 years in the future. But fifty years before "Godspeed"'s scheduled landing, Amy's cryo chamber is unplugged, and she is nearly killed. 
Now, Amy is caught inside an enclosed world where nothing makes sense. "Godspeed"'s passengers have forfeited all control to Eldest, a tyrannical and frightening leader, and Elder, his rebellious and brilliant teenage heir. 
Amy desperately wants to trust Elder. But should she? All she knows is that she must race to unlock "Godspeed"'s hidden secrets before whoever woke her tries to kill again. 

I heard good things about this book. My sister raved about it so I picked it up in December and started it. It's taken me until now to finish reading it. It wasn't a bad book, it just didn't capture me like others do. It was well written, and I really enjoyed the alternating point of view of the characters Elder and Amy. It just wasn't for me. It wasn't the genre, or the content, it just wasn't that great in my opinion. I don't have plans to continue to the next book at all.

Elder is conflicted about what he believes, what he's told and what he sees. As the next in line ruler he has to decide how he wants to run the ship. Every day he finds out more and more lies and secrets and has to decide what to do with the knowledge. Is it better to keep the secrets? Tell the half-truth?

Amy is woken up before her time and struggles with her parents still being frozen and living on this ship. She isn't like the rest of the inhabitants and struggles to find peace. Stuggles to agree with what is happening to the people and what could happen to her.

I'm glad I read it. I liked the story line of deceit and lies and how no matter what, everything comes out in the end.

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4/30: The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Format: Hardcover
Read from January 21 to 31, 2013

From Goodreads: Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.
She can’t.
She used to think her problems were all in her head.
They aren’t.
She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.
She’s wrong.
In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?

Great second book for the series. I was excited to get back to seeing what was going to happen with Mara and Noah. After reading the first one, I believed she was not crazy, and there was definitely something going on supernaturally. At the beginning of The Evolution I wasn't so sure.

I was so frustrated! I wanted people to believe her, to stop making her out to be this insane teenager who was suicidal. Expertly written. As a reader, from Mara's perspective everything sort of makes sense for a while and then BAM you're not sure anymore. Real or not real? Expertly written.

I was begging for Hodkin to just tell me already!! The ending was actually a complete surprise to me. I definitely did not see the answer to my questions coming like they did. Threw me for a loop. Halfway through the book I wasn't sure if I was going to read the third book when it is released. After that ending, I'm waiting (impatiently) for the rest of the story.

Michelle Hodkin is definitely a writer to pay attention to.

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January 2013

Highlights of the Month

Cancun, Mexico Wedding

Dreams Cancun Resort & Spa

Frenchie and I

Last Brother-In-Law gets married!!

Congratulations Robyn and Marc!

Photo by: Dean Sanderson Weddings

Their wedding was so low key and beautiful. Had an amazing time with family and friends. Meeting up at a resort is definitely the best family reunion I can think of. We will be heading to their current home this weekend for the wedding reception to celebrate with everyone who wasn't at the wedding in Mexico. Should be a fun event!

I did a lot of soul-searching this month and I believe 2013 will be a year of doing. 

Life is too short to be unhappy. 

You're never too old to make changes. 

Spend time on the things that make you happy.

There is so much in store for us this year.

I had originally planned on reading 40 books again this year. I have to revise it to 30 in 2013. A few of the things I have up my sleeve for this year will cut into my reading time greatly. While they are still books, they are of the textbook variety.

Book Recap

You have read 3 books toward your goal of 30 books.

Great work, you're 1 book (2%) ahead of schedule.

What I Read

Days of Blood & Starlight(Daughter of Smoke and Bone, #2) by Laini Taylor 

2 Stars - review here

The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun by Gretchen Rubin 

3 Stars - review here

Shadows (Dark Touch, #1) by Amy Meredith 

2 Stars - review here

What I'm Currently Reading

The Evolution of Mara Dyer(Mara Dyer, #2) by Michelle Hodkin

Across the Universe (Across the Universe #1) by Beth Revis

Monthly Book Spending:

My plan this year is to try and use the library, borrow from friends/family and read what I already have on my shelf. There are currently 48 books on my physical to-read shelf. I've run out of room to put new ones so they old ones must be read!

Spent: $16.99

Saved: $16.97

3/30: Shadows (Dark Touch #1) by Amy Meredith

Shadows by Amy Meredith
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Format: Paperback
Read from January 16 to 20, 2013

From Goodreads: Fifteen-year-old Eve Evergold is cute, sassy and enjoying a busy social life. What she doesn't know yet is that someone close to her is an evil demon that only she has the supernatural power to defeat. She needs to work out who it is - and fast! Because although there's something very attractive about the dark side...dating a demon? Pure hell!

I won this book on Twitter about a year ago and never got around to reading it until this year. I won it and ordered the second one at the same time because I thought it would be a great series. I'm a little underwhelmed. thankful that the font was fairly big and the read was quick. I may read the second one just for a quick in-between books read. A follow up to a heavy read later this year perhaps.

It was ok. Nothing I haven't read before, and not as well done as others. The characters were shallow, but that is expected given the setting of the Hamptons and reference to brand names and celebrities. They were meant to be that way. Gucci, MK, and Jimmy Choo really didn't need to be name-dropped as often as they were, but it did get the point across that these girls had money to burn and not much else going on.

There was little depth to the story, and was great for a YA age story, very innocent. I did find that the characters were very accepting of the supernatural and didn't question it. This strikes me as odd that there was no freaking out or disbelief. You find out there are soul-sucking demons taking over the town and just accept it? I guess.

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2/30: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun by Gretchen Rubin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Read from January 10 to 16, 2013
Format: Paperback


Reading this book as a memoir rather than a "how-to" is highly suggested. I only say this because it's not a self-help book. It is an account of Rubin's year. I had sort of expected a how-to, which is why I mention this tip. After the first chapter, I shifted my perspective.


I really enjoyed reading about Rubin's year focusing on Happiness. I read the majority of The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin while on vacation. Most people would read something light or a typical "beach read" rather than a non-fiction self-help memoir type book. I had intentions of reading a new YA book, but never got around to it.



Reading this particular book when the only thing I had to worry about was whether I remembered my sunscreen and what drink I was getting next made it the perfect read. I had time to really think about her project and how it could apply to my own life. There are definitely things in her project that wouldn't be in mine, which is a given since each person is unique and has their own interests and life. It was more the idea of it that struck me as useful. She may have done this project for a year, but the effects and habits that can be formed will make a last impression on yourself and those around you.

Each chapter had something that different. The book has dog-eared pages throughout for things I want to come back to and think about in more depth. I consider myself a happy person these days. I have a wonderful life and there isn't much I want for. Don't take this as me saying my life is perfect. It's not. But it's the only one I've got and I want to make the most of it. Being completely disconnected from the internet for a week was SO refreshing. I got back to reality and realized that there are things in this every day life that don't make it richer or more fulfilling. I know I was on the beach and in that paradise mode, but why do I have to leave the country to get that feeling? Shouldn't it be felt in the here and now? Not every day is unicorns and rainbows, that wouldn't make for an interesting life, but I do think we can maximize the good days and the good moments.

When I got back from vacation and turned on my phone, I had 68 emails. I deleted, without reading them, 45. Why do I get so much email in a week that is completely useless to me? Then I got to thinking about what else in my life is like that. What information am I feeding myself on a daily basis that is really unimportant? I think I was supposed to read this particular book at the beginning of the year, while I was on vacation. I feel rejuvenated and ready to take a good look at everything I do, the things I have and those I don't. It's time to look at making happiness more prevalent in every moment.

My sister called me when I got back and since she has also read the book, we are going to start in February doing our own Happiness Projects. I'm excited to get started but I also need to remind myself, one month at a time.


Favourite quote: "The days are long, but the years are short" So true!

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1/30: Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor

Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Read from December 11, 2012 to January 02, 2013
Format: Hardcover

From Goodreads: Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a world free of bloodshed and war.

This is not that world.

Art student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is—and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope.

But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

I hate writing bad reviews. Especially for books in a series where I loved the first book. Daughter of Smoke and Bone was fabulous and I couldn't wait to read this one. There was something unique about the series.

I got bored with the second one. It didn't move fast enough and I found that I skimmed dialogue for the last half of it. Karou also became incredibly annoying in this one. Perhaps there was too much time between the two books for me to really remember her pain and betrayal, but it seemed like she was holding onto something that was so far in the past that it made little difference in the here and now.

The gore and torture and descriptions were a little over the top for a YA book. As an adult, I found a lot of it disturbing, and I usually have no problem with that sort of thing. There was several scenes in the book where I had to put it down and say "gross, I didn't need to picture that".  I'm not a mom, but I am an aunt and I would never let me my niece or nephew read this one just based on the gore alone.

I did appreciate the theme that good and evil does not necessarily mean good and bad. It showed a side to both the Seraphim and the Chimera that blurred the lines of who was good or bad. It showed greed and what it can do to a complete race.

I don't plan to read the next one when it comes out.

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