Teaser Tuesday - Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!

Just do the following and go here to participate: Teaser Tuesday

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) 'teaser' sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I am really enjoying this book.

I am tied to Max the same way that an astronaut is tied to his spaceship by hoses and wires.  If the spaceship blows up and the astronaut dies, that doesn't mean that the astronaut was imaginary.  It just means that his life support was cut off.

1% on Kindle


Book Summary

I am not imaginary...

Budo is lucky as imaginary friends go. He's been alive for more than five years, which is positively ancient in the world of imaginary friends. But Budo feels his age and thinks constantly of the day when eight-year-old Max Delaney will stop believing in him. When that happens, Budo will disappear.

Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend is a triumph of courage and imagination that touches on the truths of life, love, and friendship as it races to a heartwarming . . . and heartbreaking conclusion.

 

Start Over: Create the life YOU want by Mary Jaksch

Book Summary

This book will give you a blueprint on how to start over and find happiness.

When change happens it life, it's easy to get stuck in negativity and self-blame. "Start Over" will show you how to overcome fear, negativity, self-blame, and inertia order to move ahead and find serenity, success, and happiness.

It will help you to come through changes in your life, and make starting over your greatest opportunity.

Think of how a caterpillar finally becomes a butterfly – this book will inspire you to find your wings and learn to fly.

My Review - 5

You may remember, in Feb/March I was struggling with reading and realized it was life over all and I was really overwhelmed without a plan.  I joined a 100 day happiness project to boost the start and Start Over really made me 'check' myself.

For my review, I have decided to share amazing quotes Mary Jaksch used throughout the book to motivate the reader.  It is a good work book, short but with a punch.

Favourite Quotes

"Out of difficulties grow miracles." - Jean De La Bruyere

When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. - Henry Ford

Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.            -Joanne Kathleen Rowling

What is to give light must first endure burning.  - Victor Frankl

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do.  - Confucious

The ultimate measure of a person is not where they stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where they stand at times of challenge and controversy.  - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.                     
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Review - Faking It by Elioisa

Book Summary from Amazon

After breaking off her engagement, thirty-something writing professor Andi Cutrone abandons New England for her native Long Island to focus on her career and start over. When she meets Devin at a cocktail party, the sight of an honest-to-goodness male escort shocks her—and fascinates her more than a little. Months later, Andi impulsively calls Devin. Over cheesecake in Brooklyn, she offers him a proposition: he will teach her how to be a better lover, and in return, she will give him writing lessons. He agrees, and together they embark upon an intense partnership that proves to be as instructive as it is arousing. For in the midst of lessons in rhetorical theory and foreplay, Andi and Devin delve into deeper questions about truth, beauty, and self, gradually coming face-to-face with the issues at the core of their emotional limitations. Smart, witty, and introspective, Faking It is an engrossing novel about two people discovering their authentic selves.

My Review - 5

Another book that just came at the right time.  I started to slip into a reading funk again, started 4 books and it just didn't work and then I started this one and ate it up this weekend.  It was so good I am starting the sequel tonight.

Andrea meets Devin and they agree to an arrangement both believing not a true client agreement.  I really loved how they helped each other.  Andrea is a writing instructor and helps Devin learn how to write, understanding prose, who your audience is etc, very intriguing.  Andrea asks for Devin's help on how to own her sexuality and become a better lover.  The once a week sessions were entertaining to say the least, I loved the interaction and connection they had, really adding a sense of suspense throughout the book.

I loved reading about adults who find themselves, you are always growing and the unorthodox romance set this apart from the romance books you expect.  Andi and Devin were strong characters but not honest with themselves and the outside world.  I really enjoyed the character building in this novel and look forward to more.  A beautiful complex journey with a great non typical ending.

Favourite quotes

If you are uncertain about your purpose, then your audience is ambiguous.  If you are uncertain about your audience, then your writing is ambiguous.  23% on Kindle

This past year, I lived the life I always wanted, and you know what? I was still faking it.  I was trying to cover up so much:  my body, my sexuality, my insecurity, my fear....   81% on Kindle

Similar Book Recommendation - Attachments by Rainbow Rowell (my review)




 

It's Monday, what are you reading?

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while adding to your 2013 Wishlist.

I just completed, review up tomorrow, I loved it.

 

 

Up next is the sequel since I loved Faking It so much

 

 

 

 

I also reviewed Sliver of Truth - 4, I enjoyed the follow up to Beautiful Lies

 

 

 

 

 



 

Review - Sliver of Truth by Lisa Unger

Book Summary

Ridley Jones is on a mission to find a ghost from her past . . . a very deadly ghost.
In Beautiful Lies, Ridley Jones stepped off a street corner and into an abyss of violence, deception, and fear. She is being a lot more careful about where she steps and trying to get on with her life when another seemingly mundane act—picking up a few envelopes of prints at a photo lab—puts her at the nexus of a global network of crime. A shadowy figure of a man appears in almost every picture she’s taken in the last year, lurking just far enough away to make identification impossible. Everyone from the federal government to the criminal underworld wants to know who the man is, but the only thing Ridley knows for sure is that she has to get to the truth about herself and her past if she’s ever going to find her way home.

Published Date - 2007

My Review of Book 1 - Beautiful Lies 4 stars

My Review - 4 stars

A great continuation in a series that you should read soon after because many details can have you (me, lol) completely confused, in the end I remembered some but think I would have enjoyed even more if I had read sooner.  Beautiful Lies was more like Deadly Lies and Sliver of Truth was the line between innocence, naivety or to know the truth you must die.  Great thrillers, I highly recommend.

My favourite style was the chapter parts - Daddy's Girl, The Ghost and The Homecoming.

Ridley has moved on after the disaster of finding out who she is and family history that almost breaks her.  She is still with Jake, her boyfriend who gives mixed signals, we should move on or just enough to keep her engaged with her past.  She is feeling balanced and then is pulled off the street by detectives and shown pictures of someone they state is her father but her father is dead.

Everyone is asking her where is the ghost.  It becomes a chase against time but why are they chasing a ghost?  Another detective continues being in her life, does she trust him or is he the ghost they are chasing thinking it is her dad.  Lots of action and mystery to keep you thrilled.

Lisa Unger continued with the second person narrative, she executes this style perfectly, draws you in, making it more personal.

I look forward to reading more Lisa Unger, I won't wait as long as I did this time.  Any recommendations?

 

Review - Believe like a Child by Paige Dearth

Book Summary from Amazon

Alessa is just seven years old when her uncle rapes her for the first time. As the years pass, his sexual appetite becomes more voracious and his perversion more twisted, until the abuse has become almost a daily ritual, with the unspoken involvement of the girl’s mother. She flees her home to escape this hell, only to find herself descending into a more dangerous one.

Wherever she goes, however, trouble keeps seeking her out, until she meets three people who change the course of her life forever. Though Alessa’s bittersweet journey is perpetually fraught with challenges, she does, nevertheless, manage to find fleeting moments of joy along the way. But as she begins to settle down, a ghost from the past comes to haunt her again, threatening to destroy the very foundation of her small world and plunging her back into an abyss of despair, until she makes her final bid for escape.

Publication date - June 22, 2011

My Review - 4 1/2

I would start out saying I was an emotional train wreck from beginning to end, deep breath.  This is one of the most emotional heart wrenching dark family horror stories I have ever read but with an alluring character, Alessa, she made it worthwhile.

This was a novel but rang so true.  This book was inspired from the authors life, a balance between what lives on in her imagination and the evil that lurks in the real world.  This was a story she used as therapy for her own personal abusive turmoil.

Hardcore details have to be appreciated before trying to read this book.  Rape, incest, murder, drugs, abandonment, homeless life, physical abuse and scary drama.  There is no holding back, all the bad things in life you will find in this book, frightening disturbing scenes.   This story will pull you in from the first paragraph and won't let go until the end.

Alessa is a joy to know throughout her journey, you cry with her, for her, praise her, celebrate with her, fear for her and torture yourself with why is she a continuous victim but has the strength to go on. 

The character building was executed perfectly, many you will hate but again Alessa helps you to see the good in others even if it is only a glimmer.  Alessa always believed if she died no one would notice and care but in the end she touched so many and helped to save so many lives from their personal turmoils that she finally achieved life.  Note, Believe Like a Child has an amazing ending but no means is a happy ever after one.

Favourite quotes

"I guess I've never seen it as survival.  It was just my life.  Most kids are raised on Cheerios, but I was raised on sex."  41% on Kindle

Listen, until other people walk in your shoes and live your life, they can't know or understand anything about you.  64% on Kindle


 

What are you reading?

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while adding to your 2013 Wishlist.
I realised today that half the year is almost gone, how is that possible.....

I am currently reading the 2nd in this series,  another blogger, Stacy, told me not to wait to long to read on, sigh, why didn't I listen, I really enjoyed the first one and the this one is good but so tied in I am confused, lol.  I just started though so we will see.

1st in series - Beautiful Lies

 

 

I reviewed - 4 stars

 

 

 

 

My review of this one will be up tomorrow.  Sooooooo good.

 

 

 

I also did a personal post here, on my new home and the countdown to moving in.  I shared my inspiration on bookshelves and book art.

 

 

 

Countdown with Marce - My Houzz

Last year June, my partner and I bought a house but with a two year rental in place.  I was upset with the wait but now can't believe it is less than a year away.  I am always on Houzz, getting inspiration and choosing furniture and decorating ideas.  I spend as much time on that site as I do blogging now.

I decided I am going to share some of my choices here on my blog, one weekend every month.  Hope you enjoy my excitement.

My house is called Amethyst.  I was born and raised in Bermuda. I am a 1st time home owner. Bermudians say 'owning a piece of the rock'.

My first choice to share with you is my inspiration for the bookshelf and art.......

All pictures are from the site Houzz

I love the mix of shapes. I can see books, book art and our Swarovski crystals here.

Contemporary Living Room by Hong Kong Interior Designer S.I.D.Ltd.

 

 

  

Modern Spaces by Hong Kong Interior Designer S.I.D.Ltd.

 

 

 

Photos from Etsy for my book art sculpture inspiration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

 

 

Review - Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante

Book Summary from Amazon

As the book opens, Dr. Jennifer White’s best friend, Amanda, who lived down the block, has been killed, and four fingers surgically removed from her hand. Dr. White is the prime suspect and she herself doesn’t know whether she did it. Told in White’s own voice, fractured and eloquent, a picture emerges of the surprisingly intimate, complex alliance between these life-long friends—two proud, forceful women who were at times each other’s most formidable adversaries. As the investigation into the murder deepens and White’s relationships with her live-in caretaker and two grown children intensify, a chilling question lingers: is White’s shattered memory preventing her from revealing the truth or helping her to hide it?

Publication Date - July 5, 2011

My Review - 4 stars

It was suggested to me by Christa to read a summary of the book to see if I would enjoy the style of writing, I think this is the perfect idea to consider.  Christa's review at Mental Foodie: A book and food lover blog.

The whole book is told from Dr. White's perspective, who has different stages of dementia and from journal entries from the other characters.  They are simple paragraphs and having her as the unreliable narrator adds to the mystery.  At times it doesn't make sense initially but also ties in together at the end.  My favourite times is when she goes back to being an active physician, she was obviously respected in her work and the murder was a direct tie in with her profession also.

My dad has dementia and so reading this felt personal to me.  I have read enough books to know this novel was genuine on what goes through the heads of victims to this harsh illness.  Many times not making sense to the reader or Dr. White.

If you read mysteries you may not be surprised by the ending but I thought it was executed well in this style.

The relationship of Dr. White with her son, daughter and best friend was memorable.  Mixed emotions with  family drama, grief, loss, anger, humor and trust all surrounding her being the person of interest with the murder of her best friend.  She is the one who can answer the questions unanswered but she doesn't remember, glimpse are clear but did it really happen.....

This was a great novel with a unreliable character with dementia. 

I think Still Alice by Lisa Genova is the best novel for those interested in reading a book on Dementia/Alzheimers.

Favourite quotes

I've read enough about this disease to know that you can't predict the future by the past.  It's like they say about parenting:  Just when you think you've mastered it, everything changes. 22 % on Kindle

My plots are simple:  Walk to the door.  Wait until no one is looking.  Open the door.  Leave.  Go home. Bar the front entrance against all comers.  62% on Kindle

I added to my TBR list after reading the review of Tina says..... go here.

 

Monday again - what are you reading?

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while adding to your 2013 Wishlist.

I am slowly finding my way back to the joy of reading.  When overly stressed I realised reading was not helping as I couldn't concentrate on what I was reading but I'm getting there now.  Thanks for the inspiring stress free comments last week, I appreciate it.

I just completed Turn of Mind - Review up this week, I give it a 4

 

 

Last reviewed book - I recommend series

 

 

 

 

I also read Coraline - very weird, can't say I enjoyed it, haven't decided if I will review

 

 

 

 

I think this is next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review - The Prophet by Ethan Cross

Book summary from authors website

OLD ENEMIES

Francis Ackerman Jr. is one of America’s most prolific serial killers. Having kept a low profile for the past year, he is ready to return to work – and he’s more brutal, cunning, and dangerous than ever.

NEW THREATS

Scarred from their past battles, Special Agent Marcus Williams cannot shake Ackerman from his mind. But now fully integrated into The Shepherd Organization, an underground law enforcement agency, Marcus has to focus on catching the Anarchist, a new killer who drugs and kidnaps women before burning them alive.

HIDDEN TERRORS

Marcus knows the Anarchist will strike again soon. And Ackerman is still free. But worse than this is a mysterious figure, unknown to the authorities, who controls the actions of the Anarchist and many like him. He is the Prophet – and his plans are more terrible than even his own disciples can imagine.


My Review - 4 1/2

Ethan Cross has made a name in the crime genre, I think he will be known as the likes, Thomas Harris and Jeffrey Deaver.  He knows how to write an edge of your seat thriller.  This series will get your heart pumping with exciting rage.

I really enjoyed the debut The Shepherd and novella The Cage.  This also lived up to expectations.  I was wow'd in December and kind of wished I had just read this right away.

Marcus is the main character, an unorthodox detective that has a mysterious connection to Ackerman, the serial killer from Shepherd.  I enjoyed how this tension was used in the book and when Ethan Cross reveal's it towards the end they slam you with another, enough to keep you excited for the next.  I am sure there will be another..........

There was lots going on in this installment, action packed thrills, mystery and suspense.  A new serial killer on the loose with a connection to a cult, where the leader was known as The Prophet.  Marcus was running against the clock to save many but had the continuous distraction of Ackerman calling him, trying to manipulate the investigation and continue his torture games.

Ackerman is the craziest, cruelest killer I have ever read about so to mix it up with sadistic cult killers also, terrorizing to say the least. 

If you want a taste to see if you will enjoy it, go for The Cage, the thriller novella, a perfect taste of madness.

I highly recommend this series.

Quotes

A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it.  19% on Kindle

Marcus wondered how someone that could appear so normal to the outside world could actually be so utterly insane.  85% on Kindle

That kind of joy and contentment was so elusive and rare.  He had been born without a soul.  But soon he would steal a piece of hers.  He would feel what she felt.  He would taste her happiness and make it his own.  11% on Kindle


Here is my review of The Shepherd - 4 1/2
 

What are you reading on this Monday

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while adding to your 2013 Wishlist.

I never realised how bad stress can affect someones life.  I feel so behind in everything including reading and blogging.

My last book and review here, great debatable bookclub read

 

 

I'm currently reading

 

The debut The Shepherd was an amazing serial killer story, highly recommend.

 

 

 

 

I look forward to downloading this one next, releasing tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review - Blindness by Jose Saramago

Book Summary

A city is hit by an epidemic of "white blindness" which spares no one. Authorities confine the blind to an empty mental hospital, but there the criminal element holds everyone captive, stealing food rations and raping women. There is one eyewitness to this nightmare who guides seven strangers-among them a boy with no mother, a girl with dark glasses, a dog of tears-through the barren streets, and the procession becomes as uncanny as the surroundings are harrowing. A magnificent parable of loss and disorientation and a vivid evocation of the horrors of the twentieth century, Blindness has swept the reading public with its powerful portrayal of man's worst appetites and weaknesses-and man's ultimately exhilarating spirit. The stunningly powerful novel of man's will to survive against all odds, by the winner of the 1998 Nobel Prize for Literature.

Publication - Oct, 1999

My Review - 4 stars

I have been sitting on this review for a week, I couldn't find the right words immediately and wanted to see what I would remember with the details not being fresh.

A dynamic thought provoking novel that is not for everyone.  This is a book I would not know who to recommend to other than those that want to think about what the bigger meaning the author is trying to get you to consider is.  What would life mean to you if you and the country was struck by the epidemic, blindness.  I enjoyed the real life feeling of this book and would categorise it as an intense thriller.

The main character is the wife of an eye doctor who does not go blind but lies to stay with her husband.  She is the voice and site of reason, most of the victims trust her without knowing she still has her vision.

An interesting style used was there were no formal punctuation used only commas and periods, so there were paragraphs of dialogue and description in a very long paragraph.  I found this easy to understand and it added to the effect of the blindness epidemic for me but would confuse or irritate others.  All the characters did not go by name but more, the girl with the dark shades, the doctors wife, the first man blind etc.

All those infected were put in quarantine and those that were in contact with the blind also but on another ward until their fatal day of becoming blind.  With no site, how quickly morals and integrity go which is a complete new reality for humanity.

The fear and torture everyone had to go through was amazing.  The woman with the site was a powerful character and the book only worked because of her really.  To see how humanity had changed was her own torture to deal with.

When the epidemic hit everyone they were free to the streets again, I enjoyed this change, it allowed some to have hope and believe again.

I am not one that usually enjoys details but I really wanted to know and understand each moment.  This book did take me 2 weeks to read, I was engaged but it was a hard dark read and the tiny words on paperback didn't help, wish I had read on my Kindle.

I found this to be a mind blowing read, a really good debatable book club read.

I have read some debates on the ending, I have to smile as I believe the author achieved what he wanted, discussion, also, for us to make some personal conclusions.

A favourite quote and example of paragraph without true punctuation

....If we cannot live entirely like human beings, at least let us do everything in our power not to live entirely like animals, words she repeated so often that the rest of the ward ended up by transforming her advice into a maxim, a dictum, into a doctrine, a rule of life, words which deep down were so simple and elementary, probably it was just that state of mind, propitious to any understanding of needs and circumstances, that contributed, even if only in a minor way to the warm welcome the old man with the black eye patch found there when he peered through the door and asked those inside, Any chance of a bed here.  Page 116


 

Top Ten Books I Recommend The Most

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

 

 

My Top Ten Books I Recommend the Most and Why

 

 

The Manufactured Identity, favourite of trilogy, recommend trilogy

 

Why I recommend - this is my favourite psychological thriller ever.  Reading the whole trilogy brings it all together but The Manufactured Identity left me breathless and I immediately wanted to reread it with the knowledge I had at the end.  Beyond impressed even 3 years later.

 

This currently is an all time favourite.

 

 

 

 

Still Alice

 

Why I recommend - Anyone that has been touched by Alzheimer's should read this, just an amazing story.  Lisa Genova has a style which teaches you why emotionally engaging you also. 

 

This currently is an all time favourite.

 

 

 

Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls

 

Why I recommend - I never had interest in reading memoirs, it was my first, WOW, definitely a great taste of memoirs.  A remarkable memoir of resilience and redemption, an intense family love you can't believe as they are so dysfunctional. 

 

 

 

 

 

Night Road or Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

 

Why I recommend - So far Kristin Hannah can do no wrong in my eyes, the best emotional engaged contemporary author for me.  If you haven't read Firefly Lane, do that now as her new book Fly Away is the new beginning after and will be released end of April.

 

 

 

I am not a Serial Killer, favourite of trilogy but recommend whole trilogy

 

Why I recommend - The main character John blew me away, I love him - he is not a serial killer ;-)  It is the best mix of genres, mystery, paranormal, dystopian, science fiction and YA.

 

 

 

 

Secret Garden

 

Why I recommend  - I can't wait for my daughter to grow up so we can read this one together.  Some books are timeless and magical, this is a gem.

 

 

 

 

We Need to Talk about Kevin

 

Why I recommend - This is the best book club read.  You will want to discuss and debate it so choose to read with friends.  It may be hard in the beginning, keep at it until the end.

 

 

 

 

Rebecca - Daphne du Maurier

 

Why I recommend - I only read this classic last year but I am a forever fan, this is the best classic suspense story every in my opinion and everyone wants to read a classic, right.  Read this one.

 

This currently is an all time favourite.

 

 

 

I heart you, you haunt me - Lisa Schroeder

 

Why I recommend - Verse novels became my simple pleasure. I find Lisa Schroeder's to be magical, beautiful writing that touches your soul. I recommend for all ages. If you have a teen that doesn’t read you should try one of these for them.