Book Review for A place called here by Cecelia Ahern

I've been catching up on my Goodreads reading challenge. A friend of mine gave me a box of old books last year and, with writing and publishing my own novels, I haven't had much time to read.

I just finished A place called here by Cecelia Ahern. I have to say, when I read the reviews I wasn't excited yet something about the storyline kept me intrigued. Like the main character, Sandy Short, I admit, I often wonder what else is there? What don't we know? When people and things simply vanish, where do they go? I like where Cecelia's mind went. How nice would it be to think that kids such as the O'Brien brothers from Newfoundland were simply stuck in another dimension. One where everyone looked out, helped and provided for one another. Somewhere where there was counselling and guidance for those who needed it.

I found that the fact that Sandy worked as a private missing persons locator oddly fitting. If anyone was likely to go missing, searching unknown locations, travelling alone, asking questions to the wrong people, wouldn't it be a likelihood that this person would easily 'vanish' as well?

The back-story of Jenny-May kept me intrigued. Sigh... As a parent, could you imagine? You're child just disappearing?

Certain parts, particularly Sandy's time spent in 'Here' seemed to drag on. I understood the play reference and the authors desire to build upon that but, I think it could have been cut down quite a bit.




This was the first book I've read by Cecelia Ahern. Like 90% of the worlds female population I saw, and loved PS, I love you. I guess I was hoping that this book would be more like that, romantic, funny... however it fell short. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed it. It made me think and explore different ideas and what if's. I'd recommend it for some light, weekend reading. When you're in the mood for something that's not too serious, minimal commitment. ;)

Ultraxenopia by M.A. Phipps - Review

I LOVE connecting with other authors. It's nice to know that there are other people out there who are going through the same things you are - on a literary level of course. With that being said, M.A. Phipps came across my path through Google+ or Facebook (I cant remember) and charmed me from the start.

I offered to review her book, Ultraxenopia, with very little in the way of expectations. While I loved The Hunger Games, Divergent and The Matched Trilogy, I never really considered post-apocalyptic stories my thing, especially (I cant believe I'm about to say this...) one from an indie author. I'm sorry, but, there are authors out there that just shouldn't. Futuristic stories require a lot of imagination, research and a particular je ne sais quoi.

M.A. Phipps has all of these qualities.

I was hooked from the beginning.

September/ October were probably my busiest months this year. I had three weddings, all of which were in different parts of the country. I had to finish writing, editing, promoting Releasing Authority and then publish it. All of this time I was reading Ultraxenopia and trying everyday my hardest to read more. It hurt to put it down. Wynter had me enamored from the first page. I felt as if I were right there with her. As if I was her because of the authors ability to not only describe the setting and mood, but to make you believe it as well.

With a name like W.A.R., it would be hard not to assume that this girl was badass. At first I was simply waiting for it. I wanted to yell at her to get her shit together and quit flaking out but at the same time, I understood her struggle. When she did get it together, and finally met Ezra, I knew I was going to like her even more. They were a great team and the tension between them... Sigh. I love tension.

Without giving too much away, there is a scene close to the end in a building with the members of PHEONIX and a certain evil doctor that had me wondering if maybe M.A. Phipps had read one of my books. Maybe taken a piece from my mind. Anyone who's read anything from me knows that I love me some bat-shit crazy females, and that's exactly what Wynter is... but in the best way of course.

Lucky for me, I got to read this book in its original glory. CHBB publishing has picked up Ultraxenopia and its series to be re-published in January. I highly recommend that when it comes out, you read it. I cant wait to see what's in store for Wynter and Ezra... My heart hurts.





















You can connect with the author here:

www.facebook.com/authormaphipps
Twitter.com/authormaphipps
Www.goodreads.com/author/show/13682371.M_A_Phipps

  

Jojo Moyes

Is an author review a thing? Like a book review but for their writers? I have been on a Jojo Moyes binge lately. I started with Me before You and have since read The Girl You Left Behind and just finished One plus One.

I'm obsessed.

When my former book club chose Me before You, I read the synopsis and thought it was a joke. A girl falls in love with a quadriplegic. I honestly expected it to be discriminating and a sick attempt at humor. My bristles were up but I started it, with every assumption that I was going to write a letter to Jojo by the end telling her she was a terrible person and that she should never make fun of anyone's physical condition. Clearly I was pleasantly surprised. It was such a good story. I couldn't praise it enough. Every person who asked me to recommended a book heard the spiel. I was offended when they gave me the same look I'd given my friend who'd suggested it to me. The one that said you're an asshole for reading this. Can you imagine my excitement when I learned that not only was it being made into a movie but it was starring Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones) and Sam Claflin (Finnick Odair in the The Hunger Games). Swoon.


After that I was hooked and started the next. I can say with almost complete and utter conviction that The girl you left behind is my favorite book to date. I cried so hard! I wasn't even embarrassed when my husband walked in to me sitting cross-legged on the couch with tears streaming down my face. He thought I was having some sort of early mid-life crisis I'm sure. If you're a fan of war-time stories I recommend it. If you're a fan of Romance, I recommend it. If you're a fan of Paris, life, art, glass houses and head-strong women, I recommend it. Unlike Me before You, this one has a surprise happy ending. Just when you think it's all gone down hill, that your tears were for naught and you'll never recover, Miss Moyes turns it around and saves the day (and my heart, thankfully).




The most recent book I've read was One plus One. For some reason, I felt strangely connected to the main character. She is a struggling, single mother who cleans homes and works in a bar for a living. Her ex-husband is a dick, her son is not biologically hers and her daughter is a math whiz. The only thing I have in common with this woman is the daughter (and maybe the money struggle...) however Jojo wrote it so well  that I feel like anyone could relate to her.

I don't want her books to ever end and I'm scared that soon I will have read all of them and will have to wait until she writes new ones. I'm not a patient person. Waiting kills me!

Have you read any Jojo Moyes books? What did you think?

 

Click here for Jojo Moyes Amazon page