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August 30, 2013

Book Review: Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork

Author: Francisco X. Stork
Published March 1st 2009 by Arthur A. Levine Books
Age: Young Adult
Marcelo Sandoval hears music no one else can hear--part of the autism-like impairment no doctor has been able to identify--and he's always attended a special school where his differences have been protected. But the summer after his junior year, his father demands that Marcelo work in his law firm's mailroom in order to experience "the real world." There Marcelo meets Jasmine, his beautiful and surprising coworker, and Wendell, the son of another partner in the firm.
He learns about competition and jealousy, anger and desire. But it's a picture he finds in a file -- a picture of a girl with half a face -- that truly connects him with the real world: its suffering, its injustice, and what he can do to fight.
Reminiscent of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" in the intensity and purity of its voice, this extraordinary novel is a love story, a legal drama, and a celebration of the music each of us hears inside.
I wanted to read this book after reading 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'. I now understand why it won so many prizes, it's not easy to write Marcelo. After reading the first pages I wanted to protect him from the 'real world', especially from his lawyer father who expects him to be normal.

Marcelo has been on a special school all his life, where he can go at his own rhythm and do what he loves, working with horses. But his father thinks Marcelo would be better if he works at his office for the summer and prepare for the real world so he could go to a normal school next year.

Obviously Marcelo refuses, but after all his father is stronger than him and that's how Marcelo starts this journey where he will learn how to interact with people, understand what is right and wrong, and take charge of his life.

Marcelo has something like Asperger, but that didn't make it difficult to relate with him. I think most teenager live similar situations, after being protected by your family, you have to go to the 'real world' where there is a lot of bad people, some good, and doing the right thing is not easy.

Although it took me some time to finish it, I really liked Marcelo in the Real World. It's one of those books that leaves you thinking and with feeling, sometimes sad about how Marcelo was treated, other times just thinking....Marcelo is one of those guys who ask big questions. I feel like some things were left unresolved, but I still recommend it. It's not the typical young adult book.


More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon, The Book Depository.

August 27, 2013

Book Review: The Hero by Robyn Carr

Title: The Hero
Series: Thunder Point #3
Author: Robyn Carr
August 27th 2013 by Harlequin MIRA
Age: Adult
In a moment of desperation, Devon McAllister takes her daughter and flees a place where they should have been safe and secure. She has no idea what is around the next bend, but she is pretty certain it can't be worse than what they've left behind. Her plan is to escape to somewhere she can be invisible. Instead, an unexpected offer of assistance leads her to Thunder Point, a tiny Oregon town with a willingness to help someone in need.

As the widowed father of a vulnerable young boy, Spencer Lawson knows something about needing friendship. But he's not looking for anything else. Instead, he's thrown his energy into his new role as Thunder Point's high school football coach. Tough and demanding to his team, off the field he's gentle and kind...just the kind of man who could heal Devon's wounded heart.

Devon thought she wanted to hide from the world. But in Thunder Point, you find bravery where you least expect it...and sometimes, you find a hero.
The Hero is the story of Devon, a young mother who is escaping from her 'safe' home, The Fellowship, and is found by Rawley, an old man who works at Thunder Point town and is willing to help her and her daughter with everything they need.

Devon was a very interesting character. Not only she's escaping from The Fellowship, but also from her ex lover and father of their daughter, who is the one in charge of The Fellowship and also father of the other children from the group. She has absolutely nothing, and is scared. But with the help of the people in Thunder Point, she starts to live her life as it's supposed to be. She also finds love with Spencer, the recently widowed father. Maybe it's too soon for both of them to have a relationship, but something is calling them and in a few weeks they are in love.

I liked this book mostly because of Devon. She's one of the strongest characters I've read. Obviously is wasn't a smart choice to enter The Fellowship, but she is brave to escape and try to rebuild her life. I already knew Spencer's story from the previous book, but I didn't click with him. I thought their romance was super fast, it wasn't the most important thing in this book, and also didn't like that he was scared after trying so hard to convince her to be together...he was even a little bit mean.

But it was nice to read a little bit more about Rawley, always lonely and silent. I think he was the real hero is this story!


More about this book at Goodreads, AmazonThe Book Depository.

August 23, 2013

The Book Thief Official Movie Trailer #1

In case you didn't know, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is one of my favorite books!

I read it a couple of years ago thanks to a giveaway I won, and loved it so much that I bought the spanish edition for my mom to read it. I love when I read books without any expectations or thinking I'm not going to like it and end loving it.

That's why I'm so happy to watch the movie trailer! I didn't know the movie was so advanced and going to be released September 15th (USA). Any book lover should watch it (after reading the book of course!) ;)




I really want to re-read it soon and translate the review I wrote in spanish years ago!

August 17, 2013

Stacking the Shelves #29

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews, where people like me can showcase our new books of
the week and make you jealous!

This week I got :)



What did you get this week?

August 14, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday #114: Kinetic by S.K. Anthony

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

Kinetic by S.K. Anthony
Being strong is one thing. Being an unlimited source of power is quite another.
Genetically altered by the Organization, Annie Fox takes down criminals CIA-style with her luminary strength. With nothing to mend but her broken heart, she is relentlessly pursued by her boss Derek Lake.
Just when Annie is about to give him a chance, her ex-husband unexpectedly comes out of hiding.
A wanted man, Nick Logan is a cold-hearted murderer who is considered enemy number one, and orders are clear: kill on contact. He is more powerful than ever and threatens the lives of those she holds most dear. His plan? Get his hands on Annie and use her Kinetic energy to destroy them all. When Annie finds herself with an opportunity to end him, she pauses, horrified by the scars covering the face she once loved. A split second that will cost her everything…
September 20th 2013

I'm participating on a tour for this book, my review should be posted September 24th. I don't really accept books for reviews because I never have enough time, but Kinetic sounds interesting. I'm not used to read about a divorced protagonist but sounds like a good paranormal story.

Kinetic Blog Tour

August 10, 2013

Book Review: The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore

Series: Lorien Legacies #2
Author: Pittacus Lore
Published August 23rd 2011 by HarperCollins
Age: Young Adult
I've seen him on the news. Followed the stories about what happened in Ohio. John Smith, out there, on the run. To the world, he's a mystery. But to me . . . he's one of us.

Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us—if we all still believe in our mission. How can I know? There are six of us left. We're hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another . . . but our Legacies are developing, and soon we'll be equipped to fight. Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I've been waiting for? And what about Number Five and Six? Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams? The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine? The girl who may be strong enough to bring the six of us together?

They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio—and failed.

I am Number Seven. One of six still alive.

And I'm ready to fight.
The Power of Six is the second book of the Lorien Legacies and follows the story exactly where I Am Number Four left us, with Four, Six and Sam escaping. Basically it's just them escaping and trying not to get caught by the police or the Mogadorians, while they discover more about their past and powers.

But this time it's not only Four the protagonist, but also Seven. She has a totally different life, but she's sure John Smith is one of them...the problem is convincing her cepan. Her only choice might be escaping before the Mogadorians find her...but what if other allies found her?

I really enjoyed reading Seven (Marina). Her life was much more interesting, or maybe I thought so because the only thing Four, Six and Sam where doing was running and getting caught in a love triangle-quartet that didn't seem to be important for the story and bored me.

But I still liked to discover more about Lorien, their past, their powers, Sam's father and even number Ten. It was a book full of action, fast paced, and the ending left me kind of surprised in a good way and wanting to read The Rise of Nine soon.


More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon, The Book Depository.

August 1, 2013

Book Review: Double Crossed by Ally Carter

Author: Ally Carter
Series: Heist Society #2.5, Gallagher Girls #5.5
Published January 22nd 2013 by Disney Hyperion
Age: Young Adult
Macey McHenry—Glamorous society girl or spy-in-training?

W.W. Hale V—Heir to an American dynasty or master thief?

There are two sides to every coin. Whether these two can work together is a tossup.

Born into privilege, Macey and Hale are experts at mingling with the upper class. But even if they’ve never raised an eyebrow at the glitz, neither teenager has ever felt at home with the glamour.

When Macey and Hale meet at a society gala, the party takes a dangerous turn. Suddenly they’re at the center of a hostage situation, and it’s up to them to stop the thugs from becoming hostile. Will Macey’s spy skills and Hale’s con-man ways be enough to outsmart a ruthless gang? Or will they have to seek out the ultimate inside girl to help?

The worlds of Heist Society and the Gallagher Girls collide in Ally Carter’s fast-paced, high-stakes and tantalizing new story. Get a behind the scenes glimpse as Ally delivers an irresistible thriller that is full of her signature style and savvy twists.
I love the Gallagher Girls and Heist Society series, so a story that combines those two worlds sounded amazing! It didn't disappointed me. It's short but exciting and fun, event when it was a little weird to see Macey and Hale interacting, but they make a good team. I can see them working together in the future :)

Definitely recommended to fans of these series, or if you want to try and see spies and thieves are for you!


More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon.