Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth
My rating: Save It
Genres: Fantasy, YA
Length: 487 pages
How I got my copy: Borrowed

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Strengths:

•  I like the thought of the of how Chicago is divided up in factions. It gets me thinking of which one I would choose on Choosing Day.
• The craziness of how the plot takes in a rollercoaster rides. I did not expect the p taken in path that we took.
• I also liked the arguments of is it right that ONE faction has control of the government and its choices.

Weaknesses:

• Some parts this book might be be suitable for all viewers.
• I was not a fan of romance in this book. I threw-up(sorry for the image) in my mouth a couple of times...gag. It was still a good book though.

Summary:

Divergent has a fascinating premise and strong characters.It was an interesting ride with Tris. Her journey in the book is quite interesting, but not shocking. Now that all of that has gone down, I’m excited to see what Insurgent has in store!

Calico Joe by John Grisham

Calico Joe by John Grisham
My rating: Save It

As a die hard Brewers fan, I have drown up hating the Cubs immensely.I had no problem cheering for the Cubs in this book..well mostly because the Crew did not exist yet.

This book is more than a mere sports book. It shows that with one pitch how a life and/or lives can be altered.

But here he has delivered a baseball allegory to rival the best ever – "The Natural" or "Field of Dreams." This is so much more than a book about baseball. It's about family, heartache, broken promises, disappointments, growing up...mostly forgiveness and resilience.

Cub’s fans will truly enjoy.

No, the Cubs don’t miraculously make it to the World Series. (Even Grisham has to stay tethered to some degree of reality). But they are central to this story of a soaring career brought to an end way too early; to the redemption, not of the perpetrator but of the victim; and to all 10 year old boys’ need for heroes.

Please read and enjoy. Even if you are  not a sports fan, I would recommend you give this book a shot.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
My rating: Back It Up

Cinder is a cyborg. It says everything, right?! Can a female protagonist be even better? No, not even Katniss from the Hunger Games
She is a strong-willed, reliable, stubborn and independent character. But there is even more about her that made me like her. She knows how to fix androids and other technical things. She is a very gifted mechanic. A girl? Mechanic? Yes it does make her even better :)

I love Cinder!
Finally something new and interesting! How can you go wrong with a cyborg as the main character as Cinderella.
An Asain, futuristic version of it? Wow. I hope that my daughter will like this book in the future. She wants to be Cinderella when she grows up.

Captivating!
Prince Kai? He is an interesting character to me.
He is in the middle of so many conflicts and all alone. The death of this father, the plague, the Lunar queen(b*tch) and Cinder. Still, he knows what to do and he has faith and I hope he will do everything right in the future.


The plot is fantastic! The development, the secrets that are revealed step by step.
I would love to write even more about this book, but there would be lots and lots of spoilers then, so I just stop here.

I closed the book and was left behind with sooo many questions... And not a single answer. Just think I ALMOST quit on this book. I am glad I didn't.

The second installment is on its way through the library for me to read. SWEETNESS.

I have an Announcement

I has been crazy busy over here. In August , my wife and I found out that we will be bringing another geekling into the world. He/she should be done processing at around May-ish.

With all the fertility treatments ,the negative test  results, and the countless prayers that we went through.We were also in the process of the last step of going through IFV after 2 failed IUIs. I know some of you have no clue what some of this is and some may know. If you are struggling, I pray that it works out for you as well.

 We are just so happy to see that it finally happened after 2+of trying. We wait to tell everyone until we were 4 month along.

Just a FYI for everyone :)

 

Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia by C.S. Lewis


This is the fourth book in The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. Like the others, I really enjoyed this book. Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are all transported back to Narnia, where Prince Caspian is on the run as his tyrant uncle has claimed Caspian's throne and wants to kill him to ensure he isn't rightfully restored. The children discover that the magic has left Narnia hundreds of years before, when they originally left, and that the place is not safe for Old Narnian's. They must fight, alongside Aslan, to restore Narnia to it's former glory and to see Caspian put on the throne.

C.S. Lewis has created such a magical world, and I love going there in his books. I am so happy that my wife introduced me to this great series. He is engaging and fun, and I wish I lived in Narnia, who wouldn't. I like all four children, they are noble and brave, out to fight the evil that ensnares the world. Their dwarf companion ,Trumpkin. He was a great character, I enjoyed watching him develop. He makes me laugh throughout the book.

We see castles, evil men, dwarfs, giants, humans, lions, mice, badgers, the White Witch and river gods, just to name a few. This is a great children's fantasy book that adults can enjoy. It is fun, gripping and well worth reading. The end was a bit sad, with the adventure ending for some characters, but the very last line made me laugh.

Sci-Fi Dress Up

Hosted by Rinn Reads

If any of you didn't know it is Sci-Fi Month. I will be posting Sci-Fi related posts this month. I am excited as well.

 I am sure that I am not alone in this post...well I hope not at least. Growing up, my brothers and I did not play cowboys and Indians(Native Americans) all that much. We did play plenty of Star Wars and Star Trek. 

If so were you a lead or a supporting character? I was usually Luke or Obi-Wan in the Star War plays. In Star Trek, I was Spock..who wouldn't choose him. Spock is badass and plus I am the only one that could do his hand sign.

I am happy to have grown up in a pro sci-fi family-that understood the wonderful world and sci-fi. Everything that it offered young and old minds.

It just got me wondering if any of you did the same thing with your siblings/cousins/friends?

Thank you for reading, and thanks to Rinn Reads for hosting this wonderful, month-long celebration of Science Fiction!  Visit her website to learn more about the event and visit other participants' posts! 

Happy Sci-Fi Month

I was looking through my blog feed and saw something interesting in Little Redhead blog. November is Sci-fi month! I'm a huge fan of science fiction, and it makes me sad :(  that a lot of people don't even give the genre a try because they're put off by the stereotypes. I promise you it's not all  aliens and UFOs, and that there are some really interesting and amazing worlds and ideas worth exploring.

This month, I'll be posting more than usual sci-fi related things. Thanks to Rinn at Rinn Reads for setting this all up!

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
 I’m in my 30s,I live in rural Cheeseland. I have a wife that tolerates me totally geekyiness(I am thankful for that) and I have a 3 year old daughter in which I corrupt daily. I work as a cheeseminer and love reading escaping reality. I like watching sci-fi/fantasy and playing video games.

2. How long have you been a fan of sci-fi?
Ahh...I have been a fan since watching the Star Wars original series on VHS..over and over and over again. I can still recite the original trilogy by heart. For about 25 years or so.

3. Why do you like sci-fi, and what is your favourite thing about it?
What is there not to like about this massive and rich genre. Reading the wonderful world that sci-fi has to offer as well. You can never get enough of it. There is something for everyone, but sometimes you might have to look a little harder for some individuals.

4. Favourite books/games/films/TV shows in the genre?
Some of my favorite authors are Philp K. Dick, HG Wells, Suzanne Collins, Ernest Cline, JK Rowlin,Terry Prachett, CS Lewis....this list could go on and on.  I’m a HUGE fan of Dr. Who, ORGINAL Star Wars trilogy, Star Trek, Short Circuit, ET and LOTR trilogy.

5. What are your plans for Sci-Fi Month?

For the most part I will be reviewing a number of scifi books. I will be taking part in some of the discussions that will be taking place this month.