Lauren Miller

I think I just read the craziest/awesomest (yes I know it's not a word)/weirdest/most-complicated book ever. Okay, the most complicated part probably isn't true but still, my head is still spinning from the possibilities.

The book is called Parallel by Lauren Miller. And hats off to you Ms Miller. Because I think this book needs a round of applause.

So sure, I didn't understand a lot of it, but what I did comprehend gave me a whole different view point on...reality, I guess.

It's the story of a girl who, after an "earthquake", has collided with the past of a parallel version of her life had she taken an Astronomy class verses a Drama class. How minor factors can change the whole course of fate. But Miller puts a creative twist on the theory by adding that maybe, just maybe, no matter what direction, no matter where your decisions lead you, you'll end up in the same place either way.

So if you're a fan of philosophy and a unique stance on an interesting subject, check out Parallel. 

Lissa

Jane Austin

I could go on, and on, and on, about all the books I've been able to read this summer, and maybe someday soon I will, but to be honest, I'm too lazy right now. But I did want to post on a book I just recently finished while it's still fresh in my mind. 

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin is a classic that people have been reading for decades now. 
Now, story time: The only reason I even picked up a Jane Austin book was because of my sister. While on a six week internship, she brought me back a cute little copy of a book called Mr. Darcy's Guide to Courtship. The only problem is, I'd never read about Mr. Darcy, so hence, I wouldn't understand the book. So I took it upon myself to read Austin's (probably) most famous novel.
Needless to say, I fell in love.
Although old English can be tough to read, it's so breathtakingly beautiful in a way that modern day English can never be, that it kind of makes up for it. The story line, the connections between characters and plots was amazing.
And yes, anyone who's actually keeping a list can add Fitzwilliam Darcy to my long list of book characters that have ruined my standards for men. 
There's a reason the classics are the classics.

Lissa

Danielle L. Jensen

This is a book that, to be completely honest, I don't know why I first picked it up because trolls aren't really my thing...Thank goodness I did though!

The Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen is a thrilling story about  a kidnapped vocalist who is forced into a complicated marriage with a troll. Except these trolls aren't the nasty green monsters that turn to stone in the sun, no, these are far from that. Well, almost.

Tristan is the troll prince, and Cecile's destined. She knows her life is about to end, one way or another. Only it really sucks when you start to fall for your enemy. 

This book is so cool and when I had to go to school and couldn't read, it was all I could think about (my teachers weren't too happy about that...)

I loved this book and I can't wait for the second one to come out! Seriously. Can't. Wait. I'm kind of dying right now.

Lissa

Kasie West

Okay, this one isn't for one specific book because if I had to choose just one of her books to write on, I might die of indecision. The amazing author I am referring to is a woman named Kasie West.

West has written two contemporary novels (The Distance Between Us and On The Fence) and I read them both in, like, a day because I could not put them down. She trapped me under a spell of awesomeness (is that even a word?) 

Her other two novels (or at least the only other two I know about) is a novel and it's sequel. Pivot Point and Split Second were...entrancing. It takes place in a Utopian Society, except not. It's weird but a good weird. A very good weird. I really enjoyed it and I personally really liked watching the novel unfold. She threw twists and turns that were unpredictable and fun. 

These book are all family friendly and when people ask me what to read, Kasie West is at the top of the list. 

Lissa

 

Tarrah Montgomery

Confession time!

I am in love with the fairy-tail re-tellings. Maybe it's just something about how people can take the basics of one simple idea and create a thousand different interpretations of it.

A FABULOUS example of this is a book I just read called I'm Not Cinderella by Tarrah Montgomery. 

I can not explain the addiction I had with this book. The timing of everything, the twists (although some of them were kind of obvious to me) I was completely enthralled by the story. When I was about halfway through and I was forced to work on some English homework, I quite literally could not get my mind off of this book. So caution: do not read this book if you have any urgent homework.

I loved the way the story didn't drag even though I felt it was more character based than plot based. I loved how you could imagine the way they almost realistically fell in love (as realistically as fairy-tails go that is). And I really liked how the main character wasn't stupid. She didn't let a pretty face tell her what to do and yet was generally respectful at the just the right times and places. I hope you understand how awesome that is.

Lissa