Sunday, August 16, 2015

Trust No One By: Paul Cleave

Wow! Just Wow! Paul Cleave gives Stephen King a run for his money... I'm not even sure the two can be compared but Oh My Gosh the way Cleave weaved this story together was just incredible. This book kept me guessing until the last chapter. 'Trust No One' is a total page turner, with engaging characters and a fluid plot line with many twists and turns. Jerry Grey is one of my most favorite characters in fiction this year. This crime-thriller is sure to have you on the edge of your seat the entire time. 
Pros: 
good characters/great at bringing them to life
great use of space and time
great use of objects within the story 
good writing (some spelling errors, but overall good) 
Great plot
Great descriptions of places and things 
Great ability to draw the reader in and keep attention
Great attention to detail

Cons: 
Sometimes the story was hard to follow due to the main character, Jerry's Alzheimer's disease.
Author sometimes goes off on a tangent when describing certain things 
Because there is so much detail, it is easy to forget things as the story progresses. 
Author is somewhat repetitive when it comes to Jerry, and while some of it may be built into Jerry's character, I did find it unnecessary.  
Author often changed tenses and it was sometimes confusing. 
After an event occurred sometimes the author would treat the book as if he were writing a screenplay, putting 'And Scene' or things to that affect that were unnecessary and often took away from the story. 

While it seems like I have a lot of criticism's of this book I also have equally as much praise for it, if not more. 'Trust No One' is complex and exhilarating, aggravating and heartbreaking. It is definitely a must-read for any fans of Crime, Thriller or Psychological Thriller books. I will be reading it again soon because it's one of those books you can't put-down; it's one that will need revisiting to pick up on details you maybe glazed over on the first go-round.

Monday, August 10, 2015

On YouTube

So a friend and I finally took the plunge and joined the YouTube (BookTube) community! So far we have had a great experience with it all and our first video a book review of The Happenstances By Peter L. Harmon is up! So stop by Turnsmypage on YouTube or @Turmsmypage on Instagram to stay up to date on our latest reads!  *please bare with us as we are just beginning YouTube and are still working out some of the logistics i.e. lighting 
Harmon's book is a real gem of original wit and off the cuff jokes that will have you laughing out loud! The Happenstances is a true page turner that is sure to stay with you long after you've turned that last page. I promise you won't be disappointed, Now go buy the book! You can also follow Peter Harmon on Twitter & Instagram: @PeterLHarmon

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Book Outlet

BookOutlet.com is Awesome! I got all of these books and more for a fraction of the price! If you are an avid reader like me go check out BookOutlet, I think you will be pleasantly suprised with their selection of books. Sometimes, they even have autographed copies! 

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Death Cab For Cutie

Currently on repeat! Death Cab for Cutie's latest album Kintsugi is a masterpiece. It's an album that explores loss and heartbreak yet it is so beautifully crafted. By the end of the album you really begin to see the "pieces" form something new and beautiful. Kintsugi is actually Japanese for broken pottery so the album really ties together so well. Old fans and new will not be disappointed.

Friday, April 3, 2015

Ghost World: A Graphic Novel By: Daniel Clowes

     Ghost world is an indie-hipster graphic novel that totally nails our generation. I love how Clowes blends pop culture, politics and music in this utterly refreshing look at our world. While I have much praise for this graphic novel, I did have a few problems with it. I was not a fan of the mint green, black and white color scheme, the changes in lettering throughout the novel were also a bit distracting. Ascetically, I feel like more could have been done to please the eye and more vividly showcase the artwork. Also, while the story had cool elements to it, and was fiercely relatable for anyone currently in their 20's, the story didn't flow all that well.
     In a few cases throughout the novel  I didn't really understand where it was all going. However, I did really enjoy the ending and the overall moral of the story. Clowes has an interesting perspective on the youth of America and his novel will take you back to the past while also making you wonder about the future. I really liked his mentions of Sonic Youth, The Grateful Dead and it was really funny when the dad called the daughter "dumpling" as a sign of affection. If my dad were to call me dumpling I would be offended and think he was calling me fat. Clowes has a hilarious sense of humor that will have you laughing out loud at some of his references. Overall it was a good read and I look forward to seeing the movie.

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Ready for book club!! These leather bound classics at Barnes and Noble are fantastic! 

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

APRIL: TBR

I'm reading a bunch of graphic novels this month along with a few Ebooks I received from Net Galley. Stay tuned for reviews.  

What are you reading this month? Let me know in the comments below! 

Y: The Last Man Vol. 2 Graphic Novel

I really enjoyed this second volume of Y:The Last Man. After reading the first volume I wasn't sure about this one but I'm glad I read it. The story is definitely taking more shape now and has an interesting perspective. Y: The Last Man is deeply rooted in liberal politics exploring feminism, religion, the judicial system and government as a whole. The novel is humorous but also serious and I can't wait to read vol. 3. 

East of West Graphic Novel Vol.1

East of West is an apocalyptic western graphic novel that will not disappoint. It's original, with a solid plot and dynamic characters. I look forward to reading the next volumes. At first, I wasn't sure about the setting but it really worked well with the overall storyline. I especially loved the futuristic elements and the gorgeous graphics. The colors are so beautiful and vivid and the lettering is perfection. The cover is nice and simple too so as not to give too much away. I'm really impressed! 

Rat Queens Graphic Novel Vol.1

I really enjoyed this graphic Novel. It was full of wit and zest. The characters were well developed... Hannah was a bit too crude for my taste but Dee Dee, Betty and Violet are interesting. This novel is really all about girl power and taking on evil forces, the story was a bit disjointed at times but I think it will grow on me over time. I can't wait for volume 2. Rat Queens is different than anything I've every read and I really enjoyed the mystical elements and beautiful graphics of this book. 

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Book Review: Girl on the Train

Girl on the Train is a suspenseful Psychological thriller that did not capture my attention fully until the last 100 pages. It is towards the end that the book really picks up and then wraps up. It has many similarities to Gone Girl, but it moves at a slower pace and I felt like the author could have cut out a lot of the unnecessary info and tangents. I also got really annoyed with the constant complaints of one of the characters. The novel was dark and depressing, sometimes too depressing and it got old after a while. I like dark story lines but this one was a bit too slow. Also, some of the grammar is a bit weird since its characters are in Europe. "So and so has got me an interview scheduled" "cheque"instead of check and a few other things as far as tense were annoying while reading this book. However, I will say, I did like the train aspect and the ending was well done. Interesting read but definitely not the best. Gone Girl is still leaps and bounds ahead of Girl on the Train. 

Friday, January 23, 2015

Sleater Kinney

It's been a decade since Sleater Kinney has released an album and I can't wait to add this record to my collection. #vinyl 

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Must See Films

The Theory of Everything
No Good Reason
Under the Electric Sky 
Frank 
The Past Is A Grotesque Animal
NAS: A Documentary
Bird People 
What Is Cinema?
Begin Again
Mistaken for Strangers 
What If 
If I stay
Comet 
Skeleton Twins 
The One I Love
Whiplash
Two Night Stand  
Boyhood (favorite film of 2014) 
Imitation Game (favorite film of Winter 2015) In theaters now! 

Monday, January 19, 2015

Magazines and wine

So many good magazines on the news stand right now! ( January 2015 ). 

Ready for Spring?

Me too! 

Picking up some fresh flowers and planting some plants can add a little spring to your life if you are getting stir crazy indoors during this cold winter. 

Holy Grail Skincare 2015


New year, Fresh start! 
I've already found some great skincare items of 2015. All of these items can be found on Sephora.com and Birchbox.com. 

I really enjoy relaxing at night with a glass of wine, watching my favorite shows on HBO (girls), AMC (The Walking Dead) or Netflix and trying new skincare products from my mothly birchboxes or sephora samples. Here are just a few I am loving so far. 
I usually like to buy the value sets from Sephora so I can try a variety of new products for a good price. The particular box above comes with Ren glycolic serum for brighter skin, First Aid Beauty Red Clay cleanser, Glam Glow mud mask and Ole Henriksen makeup remover towelettes for $18 (a $52 value) 

While those are all high-end products there are also some great finds from your local drugstore as well. I love love love Nivea hand lotion, Nivea lip balms and the New Soft Lips Cube. EOS balms are great too, but I find they are a bit bulky to carry in my purse when I'm on the go. 

Some of my other drugstore favorites include Olay Lotions, cleansers and scrubs, Aveeno Daily Cleanser, and Neutrogena make up remover facial wipes. 

Also, I highly recommend signing up for Birchbox if you are looking to upgrade your beauty routine. Each box is $10/month. I have learned about many great products through my subscription! 




*All images from sephora and birchbox websites. 


Thursday, January 15, 2015

Fresh Start - 2015

I'm already so loving this year! Every year I always make a resolution to eat better, live better and just be all around better. Each year, I stick to my resolutions for the most part but life gets busy and sometimes I tend to forget the things I resolved to do so this year I'm writing them down and sticking to them. No wining! (Haha!)
 This year, I turned 24 whoop whoop! It could very easily be a whomp,whomp but one thing I resolve to do is be extremely positive and optimistic about life and living in the moment. So often, I find myself constantly planning for the future that I'm missing the world around me each day. 
Here are my resolutions:
1. Focus on what you are doing, do not compare yourself to others. We all do things in our own time and God has a plan for each of us.
2. Do more of what makes you happy! For me these include: filmmaking, writing press, working for non- profit organizations and good causes, getting envolved in the community, doing more yoga and reading more books for fun!
3. Take time out of each day to meditate: breathe in and out and remember each day is a blessing. 
4. Make a concious effort to eat healthier. Don't diet just really thing about what you are consuming on a daily basis. 
5. Drink lots and lots of water! And green tea too! No more diet sodas, or artificial sweeteners. (These can cause severe muscle spasms) atleast for me they do. And having Cerebral Palsy, I don't need anymore joint pains of any sort.
6. Work out atleast 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week even when feeling tired or stiff. Moving around a little bit will help!
7. Be kind and make more of an effort to go out of your way to help someone else. 
8. Keep following your dreams even if they seem too far to reach, you will get there one day, one step at a time. 
9. Have more fun, try new things, meet new people. 
10. Love, always love.
How you approach this year will make all the difference in the world. You either view life as a glass half full or a glass half empty and I choose for my glass to be half full and overflowing with good vibes this year! 

                 Faith. Hope. Love.