Friday, February 6, 2015

Pocket Book Reviews {January 2015}

I'm starting a new monthly series called Pocket Book Reviews! I'll be sharing short and sweet reviews of the books that I read every month with the hope that you'll find something new to add to your "Want To Read" list on Goodreads. I love reading book reviews and finding new books to add to my ever-growing list, so I hope you feel the same way.  

Not only will you be getting mini reviews, but I'll be giving away one of the books I've read every month! Talk about an awesome bonus, right?

So let's get into it!
Pocket Book Reviews -- Jan 2015

Attachments 

★★★ (5 out of 5)

Written by Rainbow Rowell, it's about Lincoln, an IT security officer who reads all of the company's emails that are flagged. Beth and Jennifer send emails to each other about their personal lives and they keep getting flagged. Lincoln knows he shouldn't keep reading, but he does and he starts falling for Beth.

Since I enjoyed Rowell's other books so much (Fangirl more so than Eleanor and Park), I knew I had to read Attachments. I had a feeling I was going to love it and I was right. It's funny and charming, the characters become your friends, and the emails between Beth and Jennifer are so believable that you feel like you really are snooping. I would recommend this for those who love romance and awkward situations.

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon | Goodreads

The Savages

★★★ (5 out of 5)

Written by Matt Whyman, the Savages are a family with usual tastes. Each family member is hiding something (teen Sasha is dating a vegetarian, the father Titus has shady business dealings, etc.), but the whole family must keep their biggest secret from getting out: the fact that their cannibals.

My friend Jackie is a vegetarian and has a joke that the only meat she would eat is human, so when I heard about this book I had to get it because it reminds me of her and it sounded like a fun and unique read, and that it is. Even though you know that they eat people and you know that it's wrong, you start to like the whole Savage family and worry if when the secret will get out. I liked that we got into head of each family member to get to know them. If you like dark humor, you'll love this.

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon | Goodreads

The D.U.F.F.

★★★ (4 out of 5)

Written by Kody Keplinger, this book is about Bianca, a teenage girl who is called a D.U.F.F. (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) by the school's hottest man-slut, Wesley. Even though she knows she shouldn't let it get to her, it does. Not only that, but her family is falling apart, so to take her mind off things she starts to sleep with the person she hates the most: Wesley. Worst of all, she starts to fall for him.

This book sounds SO teenager-y that I was worried it would get on my nerves (I initially picked it up because the movie is coming out February 20), but I ended up really enjoying it. Bianca takes a bit of getting used to because she's so snarky, but I liked that the book didn't shy away from safe sex, divorce, and how people's words work themselves into your brain. I read it in two days because it was amusing, funny, and real.

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon | Goodreads

Dark Places

★★★ (3 out of 5)

Written by Gillian Flynn, Libby Day's family (mother and two sisters) was murdered when she was just six years old. She testified at a young age that her older brother Ben, then sixteen, had committed the crime. But a Kill Club contacts her about the murder and how they believe Ben is innocent; Libby decides to use them to get money, but soon realizes that they may be telling the truth after all.

I read through Gone Girl so quickly because it's heart-pounding and fascinating, but Dark Places didn't capture my attention as well as Flynn's more famous book. Libby isn't a good person, which could be interesting, but she falls flat most of the time. The book is slow-paced and it doesn't feel like a lot happens.

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon | Goodreads

P.S. -- Check out the outfits inspired by the cover!

Gretchen (Zombillenium #1)

★★★ (4 out of 5)

Written by Arthur de Pins, this short graphic novel is about Zombillenium, the unique amusement park that only hires creatures of the night: vampires, werewolves, mummies, zombies, and other undead peoples. Three undead creatures are making their way back to Zombillenium when they run over a human man. He's then bitten by a vampire and a werewolf and taken to the amusement park to work the cotton candy stand.

I picked this up from the library because the artwork is amazing and the idea of an undead amusement park sounded intriguing. The story is fun and entertaining, the dialogue is witty, the characters are charmingly awesome, and I wish this amusement park was a real place. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer. I would recommend this to anyone, especially if you love humor and monster stories.

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon | Goodreads

Today you can win The Savages by Matt Whyman!
Open to residents of the U.S., U.K. and Canada only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What do you think of this new series?

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22 comments:

  1. Love this series already! I'm always on the lookout for new books to read, so this is great! I actually haven't read any of these books, but I've now added Savages and Zombillenium to my list. Currently I'm reading The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman. It's wonderful!

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  2. I actually just finished Dark Places a week or two ago. I thought it was pretty good. I half guessed the end but that's okay. lol! I'm pretty good at guessing the endings, it drives my husband crazy when we watch TV or movies. I have Attachments on my "to read" list too! I've heard so many good things about it. I had never heard of Savages but it sounds like a really interesting read!

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  3. I actually had added The Savages to my wish list after you talked about it in a previous post! It sounds like such a great concept for a story. I also picked up The DUFF this month but I haven't read it just yet!

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  4. I started reading Attachments forever ago, but had to put it down when I moved and never finished it. Thanks for reminding me about it!

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  5. I loved attachments!!! Lately I picked some bad books... so I will check these out, maybe the duff before watching the movie :)

    xoxo

    Novelstyle

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  6. I've read Dark Places and really liked it, but I think all the others are on my "to read" list.

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  7. what a great series. Can't wait to hear more thoughts! =)

    xo,
    nancy

    http://www.adoretoadorn.com

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  8. I've read Dark Places, I enjoyed her characters, and the twist at the end was interesting, but it wasn't as gripping as Gone Girl was! I am totally adding all of these to my "to-read' list on Goodreads though! Especially Attachments, I love books that use different mediums, like e-mails, to tell stories!!

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  9. So glad you liked Attachments! I love this new series of yours and can't wait to get some more good book recommendation :) I'm working through Z right now, as well as Trigger Warning (which I'm loving!)

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  10. Haha I really have to read savages now! It speaks to me :-P I actually am just finishing up reading 50 shades of grey - its pretty awful

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  11. Dear Sara, I don't know any of the pocket books you show here, but you know I think how much I love reading and therefore I'm thankful for your tips! Happy Sunday <3

    xx from Germany/Bavaria, Rena

    www.dressedwithsoul.com

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  12. I haven't read any of these but they sound pretty interesting, especially Attachments!

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  13. Thanks, Rena! I'm glad you like reading as much as I do!

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  14. Yay thank you, Kristin! I'm going to check out Trigger Warning. Thanks for the rec!

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  15. The DUFF is really funny! Hope you like it!

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  16. You're welcome! :) I hope you like it!

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  17. I hope you like both of the books!!

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  18. Thank you so much, Kay! I love The Ocean at the End of the Lane! A fab book!

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  19. I have to bookmark this to come back. I have got to finish the book I am currently reading before I start something else!

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  20. Great reviews, Sara! I didn't realize The DUFF was a book. That movie looks cute! Thanks for saving me some time on Dark Places. I'm currently reading her other book Sharp Objects. It has me interested so far, but I'm only a few chapters in.

    Christie
    The Closet by Christie

    http://www.theclosetbychristie.com

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  21. I have to agree about Dark Places, though super creepy, some of the narrations were not as interesting as others. I listened to it mostly while exercising, but had to switch to music a few times when it got lengthy. Not all the characters were super interesting to me. Still, glad I finished it. I had to find out what truly happened!

    ♥ perfectly Priya

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Hello, beautiful! Thanks for leaving a comment!
Have a lovely day!
~Sara ♥

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