Audiobook Review: The Martian by Andy Weir

Title: The Martian

Author: Andy Weir (Facebook)

Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Thriller

Format: Audiobook (Amazon | Audible)

Format: R. C. Bray (Audible)

Length: 10 hours and 53 minutes

Release Date: February 11, 2013

Book Club (Feb Book of the Month): Nerds and Novels (SoCal Chapter)

Reading Challenges: 2015 Goodreads Challenge, 2015 Audiobook Challenge

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first men to walk on the surface of Mars. Now, he's sure he'll be the first man to die there.

It started with the dust storm that holed his suit and nearly killed him, and that forced his crew to leave him behind, sure he was already dead. Now he's stranded millions of miles from the nearest human being, with no way to even signal Earth that he's alive--and even if he could get word out, his food would be gone years before a rescue mission could arrive. Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old "human error" are much more likely to get him first.

But Mark isn't ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills--and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit--he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. But will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

FIRST IMPRESSION:: From the very first sentence, I knew I was going to love this book.

Book Beginnings & The Friday 56: The Prey (The Hatchery #1) by Tom Isbell

Hosted By Rose City Reader & Freda's Voice

"Book Beginnings" is a weekly event that shares the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. "The Friday 56" is also a weekly event, sharing a sentence from page 56 or 56% in your eReader (If you have to improvise, that's ok.)


My Pick This Week: The Prey (The Hatchery #1) by Tom Isbell

“BLOOD. Purpling. Coagulating before his eyes.

Darkness presses against the outer reaches of his periphery, narrowing his vision. The world grows dim.

He reaches out a hand against the blood-smeared wall. Fingers squealing on tiles. Tries to call for help but the words get strangled in his throat. He collapses to the floor. Eyes land on a knife, its razor edge trimmed in red. Blood. His blood.

Darkness closing in. The world reduced to a pinprick. Fatigue washes over him like a summer storm.

My final moments, he realizes. All come down to this.”

~ p. 1 

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Hearts of Fire by L.H. Cosway

Hosted By Breaking the Spine

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.

HEARTS OF FIRE
Author: L.H. Cosway (Twitter)

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 9, 2015

The Circus Spektakulär is proud to present Jack McCabe: Fire-breather, knife-thrower, risk-taker.

My house burned down when I was just a boy, robbing me of both my parents.

Now I breathe fire, eat the poison that almost killed me.

Crowds come to see me night after night. Men for the spectacle, women for the thrill. I’m an oddity to be stared at and desired. With each flame I spit, I risk my life.

I wear scars on my body that will never go away, but the scars inside my head are far more difficult to overlook.

My brother doesn’t know me, and if I have it my way he never will.

Life was going exactly the way I’d planned until Lille came along. She wanted to run away with the circus, have an adventure, but this world was never meant for her.

I try to keep her safe, because she doesn’t know the dangers that are out here on the road. She doesn’t know the monsters that lurk behind the bright lights of the ring. In truth, I could be considered one of them.

We were fashioned from different cloths, never intended to mix. So I watch her. I try not to touch, even when her eyes invite me.

Join us in the Spiegeltent and let us give you a show. Allow my Lille to draw a picture for you in paint and sweat and skin.

The truest love is always the hardest to let in.

This is a standalone romance that tells the story of Jack McCabe, Jay Fields’ long lost, presumed dead brother. It is not necessary to have read Six of Hearts in order to enjoy Hearts of Fire.

Why I Picked It:  I really wanted to read Six of Hearts when I first heard about it. But like so many others, it got buried in my TBR. To know that this is a spinoff of sorts has reignited my interest in Six of Hearts so I can check this out, because the premise alone is a draw.

Tell Me Something Tuesday: Comfort Reading

Hosted by Rainy Day Ramblings

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post that discusses a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by answering the question of the week on your blog.

This Week's Topic/Question:

Comfort Reading...what types of books do you grab when you need a pick me up?


My Answer:

I turn to my favorite books. Books that are guaranteed to brighten my day because I love them.

• When I'm in "Romance Mode"
• The Darkest Powers Trilogy by Kelley Armstrong:: I ship Derek and Chloe so, so, so much. I think I'm up to 15 with how many times I've reread the series from start to finish. Never gets old.
• The Contours of the Heart series by Tammara Webber:: Easy was my favorite New Adult book and with Breakable, I fell in love with Lucas all over again. 
• Pushing the Limits series by Katie McGarry:: Well written. Well developed. Well done. This series is so raw with emotion. It's fantastic.

Cover Characteristic: Science/Sciency

Hosted by Sugar & Snark

Each week we will post a characteristic and choose 5 of our favorite cover’s with that characteristic. 

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Unraveled (Mastered #3) by Lorelei James

Hosted By Breaking the Spine

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.

UNRAVELED
Book Series: Mastered, Book #3

Author: Lorelei James (Twitter)
Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Format: Audiobook (Amazon | Audible)
Narrators: Hunter Millbrook & Claire Kilpatrick
Release Date: March 3, 2015

In this sizzling continuation of the Mastered series by New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James, a man will find the domination he’s always craved…

Shiori Hirano and Knox Lofgren are left to run the martial arts program at Black Arts while Ronin Black travels. On the surface, the two highest ranked belts appear to cooperate—but in private, they butt heads constantly, despite the undeniable attraction between them. Soon their power exchanges start to make for a sweltering dynamic in the bedroom…

At first Knox is shocked to be living out his submissive desires, but Shiori sets out to prove that embracing his true sexual nature doesn’t make him a weak man. But even while their sexual relationship grants him a power and fulfillment he finds surprising, there’s no training regimen for the fight that comes with loving a strong woman…

Why I Picked It:  Lorelei is one of my favorite authors, so all her series get a tryout. That said, I love this series. I gave Book #1 of the series, Bound, a five-star rating. Though I haven't gotten around to Book #2, I've already purchased it so his will get a read as well. 

It’s Monday What Are You Reading?: 02/16/15

Hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey

This meme shares what we read this past week and what our plans are for the upcoming week. It’s a great way to see what others are reading and add to your own To Be Read list.

• Cover Characteristic: Vegetarian/Vegan
• Audiobook Review: Storm (The SYLO Chronicles #2) by D.J. MacHale
• It’s Monday What Are You Reading?: 02/09/15
• Making Up for Monday: Most Hated School Reads
• "Waiting On" Wednesday: The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire (Half Moon Hollow #3) by Molly Harper
• Book Beginnings & The Friday 56: The Martian by Andy Weir

Making Up for Monday: Book Regrets

Hosted by An Avid Reader; A Wannabe Writer

Each week, there will be a book-related theme or game, or something fun to do that week. And you can play along! All you have to do is find the question for that week and write a post that day based on that question.

This Week's Topic/Question:

What books do you regret reading?



My Answer:

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles: For me, this book felt like a ripoff of two movies very dear to my heart, Keith and Crazy/Beautiful. I read this a while ago, so it's hard for me to now try and explain why I felt this way. Check out my review on Goodreads. To anyone who read it -- was I too harsh? Wrong?

A Wanted Woman by Eric Jerome Dickey: My book club is to blame for this one. Though, why the hell I chose to finish this epic fail of a book is on me. There are no words for how cringeworthy and insane this book was. And congrats to Mr. Dickey for creating a main character with absolutely no redeeming qualities... not one. Here's my review.

Cover Characteristic: Houses

Hosted by Sugar & Snark

Each week we will post a characteristic and choose 5 of our favorite cover’s with that characteristic. 

Book Beginnings & The Friday 56: The Martian by Andy Weir

Hosted By Rose City Reader & Freda's Voice

"Book Beginnings" is a weekly event that shares the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. "The Friday 56" is also a weekly event, sharing a sentence from page 56 or 56% in your eReader (If you have to improvise, that's ok.)


My Pick This Week: The Martian by Andy Weir

“I’m pretty much fucked. 

That’s my considered opinion. 

Fucked.

Six days into what should be the greatest two months of my life, and it’s turned into a nightmare.

I don’t even know who’ll read this. I guess someone will find it eventually. Maybe a hundred years from now. ”

~ p. 1 

"Waiting On" Wednesday: The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire (Half Moon Hollow #3) by Molly Harper

Hosted By Breaking the Spine

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.

Title: The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire
Book Series: Half Moon Hollow, Book #3 Author: Molly Harper (Twitter)
Narrator: Amanda Ronconi
Genres: Humor, Urban Fantasy, Vampires
Release Date: March 31, 2015

In the next book in Molly Harper’s beloved Half Moon Hollow paranormal romance series, Gigi starts her first job (at Vampire Headquarters), gets over her first love, and may even fall for her first vampire!

Gigi is no longer an innocent teen. All grown up and looking for love, her family and friends worry she’ll go for the sexy, alluring vampire instead of a nice, safe human. But sexy and alluring, with a penchant for biting, could be just what Gigi wants...


Why I Picked It:  Again, a favorite series! I love the Half-Moon-Hallow-verse. Glad I for the trailer; didn't release it was a sequel to a book I own, but have yet to read. That just means more Harper coming soon. All around excited.

  

Making Up for Monday: Most Hated School Reads

Hosted by An Avid Reader; A Wannabe Writer

Each week, there will be a book-related theme or game, or something fun to do that week. And you can play along! All you have to do is find the question for that week and write a post that day based on that question.

This Week's Topic/Question:

What books did you hate reading in school?

My Answer:

The short answer would be what books did I like in school? I didn't like most of the classics I read. Maybe it was youth, but I remember being bored out of my mind. Or angry, very very angry (how anyone can get to the end of The Great Gatsby without wanting to throttle pretty much everyone - especially Daisy - is beyond me).

Maybe if I reread them, I'd feel different. Well, never mind. You couldn't pay me to read A Separate Peace again; that book was a special kind of torture. 

Here are the worst offenders:

• Old Man in the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
• A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
• A Separate Peace by John Knowles

My favorite is easy, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley; no surprise I read almost every dystopian out there.

It’s Monday What Are You Reading?: 02/09/15

Hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey

This meme shares what we read this past week and what our plans are for the upcoming week. It’s a great way to see what others are reading and add to your own To Be Read list.

• Cover Characteristic: Intricate Covers
• It’s Monday What Are You Reading?: 02/02/15
• Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Can't Believe I Haven't/Want To Read From the Dystopian Genre
• "Waiting On" Wednesday: Everything That Makes You by Moriah McStay
• Book Beginnings & The Friday 56: Vicious by V.E. Schwab
• Top 5 Best Book Covers: February 2015

Audiobook Review: Storm (The SYLO Chronicles #2) by D.J. MacHale

Title: Storm

Book Series: The SYLO Chronicles, Book #2
Author: D.J. MacHale (Facebook | Twitter)

Genres: YA, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Mystery

Format: Audiobook (Amazon | Audible)

Narrators: Andrew Bates

Length: 12 hours & 12 minutes

Release Date: March 25, 2014

Reading Challenges: 2015 Goodreads Challenge, 2015 Audiobook Challenge

After a harrowing escape from Pemberwick Island, Tucker Pierce and his surviving friends—Tori, Kent, and Olivia—have finally reached the mainland, only to find that no one is left.

That’s not their only sickening discovery. Moments before they are attacked by another of the mysterious black planes, they investigate one’s wreck and are horrified to find that it bears the logo of the U.S. Air Force. This can only mean one thing: the United States is at war with itself—the deadly technology of the Air Force against the brute force of the Navy’s SYLO unit, which still holds Pemberwick Island and its residents captive.

Tucker must lead his friends to safety, but his head is spinning. How can the Air Force be perpetuating such genocide against not only its own citizens, but the world? What is SYLO’s role in this, and why did Tucker’s parents betray him by allying with SYLO, whose commander, Captain Granger, killed Tori’s father at point-blank range? And what did his mother mean when she told him to trust no one?

Tucker, Tori, and friends set off cross-country on a quest for answers and, for Tucker, vengeance. But as one highway gives way to the next—and one death-defying escape precedes another—Tucker soon realizes that “trust no one” doesn’t just mean the U.S. military.

This book was jammed pack with so much -- action, story progression, plot development and character growth. But nothing felt rushed through; a true testament to DJ's skills as a writer.

Cover Characteristic: Vegetarian/Vegan

Hosted by Sugar & Snark

Each week we will post a characteristic and choose 5 of our favorite cover’s with that characteristic. 

Top 5 Best Book Covers: February 2015

Top 5 Best Book Covers is monthly meme created by The Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. The rules are simple: on the first Saturday of every month, post your 5 favorite books covers that are being released in the current month!

#1
Title:  Shutter
Author:  Courtney Alameda (Facebook) 
Genre:  YA, Paranormal, Ghosts
Release Date:  February 3, 2015

Horror has a new name: introducing Courtney Alameda.

Micheline Helsing is a tetrachromat—a girl who sees the auras of the undead in a prismatic spectrum. As one of the last descendants of the Van Helsing lineage, she has trained since childhood to destroy monsters both corporeal and spiritual: the corporeal undead go down by the bullet, the spiritual undead by the lens. With an analog SLR camera as her best weapon, Micheline exorcises ghosts by capturing their spiritual energy on film. She's aided by her crew: Oliver, a techno-whiz and the boy who developed her camera's technology; Jude, who can predict death; and Ryder, the boy Micheline has known and loved forever.

When a routine ghost hunt goes awry, Micheline and the boys are infected with a curse known as a soulchain. As the ghostly chains spread through their bodies, Micheline learns that if she doesn't exorcise her entity in seven days or less, she and her friends will die. Now pursued as a renegade agent by her monster-hunting father, Leonard Helsing, she must track and destroy an entity more powerful than anything she's faced before . . . or die trying.

Lock, stock, and lens, she’s in for one hell of a week.