Fairest
Fairest by Marissa Meyer
I absolutely loved The Lunar Chronicles, all of them. It is one of my favorite series of recent years. So, of course, Fairest has been on the list for quite a while now… but as I don’t expect to see any Iko at all, and very little Cinder if any at all… it wasn’t moved to the top at all.
Well, now it is due. And I’m really looking forward to it. There should be a good dose of royal and family drama. Almost like watching a new season of The Crown…
…but on the moon…
… and with mind powers…
… and without Prime Ministers.
So… nothing like The Crown, I imagine.
Heart & Mind
I’ve always been fascinated with the human mind and how the brain works. it is such a complex and intricate machine/organ. I’ve read many books and articles, and watched many documentaries about the brain, about brain surgeries and mind disorders. i just find it all so interesting and compelling.
One of the things that I’ve learned about this, and that has changed the way I se many things, is about the contrasting and cooperating halves of our brains. I like to think about it like a set of conjoined twins: each one has it’s own roles and jobs, but they are both always ready to pick up the slack should there be a need.
Just imagine it. At this moment, each side of your brain is doing its own thing. One side of your brain does all the math, and the other makes you cry at the end of sad movies . You use one side of your brain when you write a letter, but the other when you listen to music.
One side is linked to creativity, impulses, and emotions; and, the other one, to rational thought, and the interpretation of symbols (basic for reading and writing).
So, it came as no surprise when I realize that I feel more emotionally attached to stories when I’m only listening to them. It takes more of a toll on me, when I’m listening to an audio-book and I feel more invested in the characters and their lives, than I do when I’m actually reading the same book.
But, at the same time, I find it hard to remember where exactly in the story I was, and the precise way in which something was said. This doesn’t happen when I’m reading book, printed or electronic. If I can see the words, I am most likely to remember it.
I guess this is way I work well with a paper planner. I always feel more comfortable with remembering things if i can write them down and see them written somewhere, no matter where… even if it is just on a post-it that i’m going to loose at any moment.
This would also explain why I like to have both, the audio and the printed version of my favorite books…
Does the same thing happen to you?
Have you notice a difference in how you enjoy books if they come in print or in audio?
The Handmaid
The Handmaid by Shay Savage
I think the only reason I couldn’t finish this book in one afternoon was my work schedule. I didn’t very much like that.
I’m no stranger to books that can be red non-stop through, nor have a problem with short books, and I’m definitely no stranger to Shay’s way to take you all the way through story in segments without feeling like you stopped to change books.
The problem I had with the Handmaid was the fact that it felt more like a long prologue or a first chapter than like a whole story. There was really nothing going on there. You are barely starting to get feel for what’s going on and who these character are, when the book is suddenly over.
I felt cheated. Of course, I’m going to read the whole series, but this one really felt like it could have come in a single book. 
Beyond that, I couldn’t tell you much. I am intrigued, and you can definitely see some sexy moments coming your way… but nothing much has happened yet.
The Girl at Midnight series
Ok. Another story that turns out has another sequel.
I’ve read many stories with multiple point of view and there are some pretty awkward and confusing stories out there, but I can honestly say that The Shadow Hour isn’t one of those.
The Shadow Hour by Melissa Grey
You get a bit of the drama, with the love triangle of Rowan, Echo and Caius; you also get a bit of the sweet stuff, with Dorian and Jasper and how their relationship blossoms in spite of the war going on; but you also get a bit of comic relief here and there and Ivy with her compassionate view of a world and the people that have done her many wrongs.
It’s great story, but i’m not sure I liked where it ended. An absolutely not sure abut what to expect on the next one. While I enjoyed this one with its mysteries and budding romances, it felt a bit anti-climatic by the end.
And, honestly! there was too little heard from the Ala. She is one of my favorite characters!
But well… I guess there is no other option but to wait for the next installment and go from there.
“(…) if he was dead, she would paint the broken stones of Avalon with [her] blood if it was the last thing she did”.
The Shadow Hour by Melissa Grey
“(…) if we die, my ghost is going to make your ghost miserable i the afterlife”.
The Shadow Hour by Melissa Grey
Guilt
H: “(…) And I did nothing“.
I: “There was nothing you could have done”
H: “Strange how that doesn’t make the guilt go away“.
The Shadow Hour by Melissa Grey
“The injustice was that they had inherited a conflict that had little meaning to them”.
“The injustice was that they had inherited a conflict that had little meaning to them”.
The Shadow Hour by Melissa Grey
“Tell me, what honour is there in children killing children?”
“Tell me, what honour is there in children killing children?”
The Shadow Hour by Melissa Grey
“One never knew when one might need a clean pair of socks”.
The Shadow Hour by Melissa Grey
I: “What’s the worst that could happen?”
Q: “Death. Maiming. Excruciating torture”.
The Shadow Hour by Melissa Grey
Travel reading
This year’s spring break was way more exciting than any in recent years, but it also involved a lot of airport time and time sitting in buses and trains. And, most importantly, a lot of time unplugged.
Of course, I wouldn’t survive anywhere without my books, or at least something to read, but thankfully I don’t need internet to use my e-reader.
And now comes the quick catch up. Feel free to go back and check out all the stuff that jut magically appeared with last week dates.
