Waiting on Wednesday [56] - You

from harperteen.com:

This wasn't the way it was supposed to go.

You're just a typical fifteen-year-old sophomore, an average guy named Kyle Chase. This can't be happening to you. But then, how do you explain all the blood? How do you explain how you got here in the first place?

There had to have been signs, had to have been some clues it was coming. Did you miss them, or ignore them? Maybe if you can figure out where it all went wrong, you can still make it right. Or is it already too late? Think fast, Kyle. Time's running out. How did this happen?

You is the riveting story of fifteen-year-old Kyle and the small choices he does and doesn't make that lead to his own destruction.

In his stunning young-adult debut, Charles Benoit mixes riveting tension with an insightful—and unsettling—portrait of an ordinary teen in a tale that is taut, powerful, and shattering.

 
----------
 
Reason: You gotta admit that the synopsis provided is an entire teaser! I simply must know more about this book and more about Kyle and what happened to him!!
 
Cover Discussion: Very bold and powerful in my opinion. It's definitely something that would grab my attention in a bookstore.
 
 
 

 

You is be released August 24th!

 

What are you waiting on this week?

To see more books that are being waited for click here.
 

Review: An Offer From a Gentleman

An Offer From a Gentleman

Julia Quinn

Series or Stand Alone: Bridgerton series, book three

Release Date: July 2001

Publisher: Avon

Pages: 362

Author Site: http://www.juliaquinn.com/

My Rating: 5/5

Source: Paperbackswap.com

Synopsis:

[from juliaquinn.com]

Will she accept his offer before the clock strikes midnight?

Sophie Beckett never dreamed she'd be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball—or that "Prince Charming" would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.

Who was that extraordinary woman? Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other—except, perhaps this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid's garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?

Review:

I simply can't get enough of the Bridgertons! AN OFFER FROM A GENTLEMAN has a "Cinderella" vibe and features the second-oldest Bridgerton son: Benedict. He was hardly featured in the previous two books and I was very anxious to see what kind of person he was and how his happily-ever-after would pan out. I must admit that I wasn't in the least bit disappointed and this installment of the Bridgerton series is definitely one of my faves.

Sophie Beckett is the heroine of AN OFFER FROM A GENTLEMAN. The bastard daughter of the Earl of Penwood, Sophie has been accepted as his ward and has been tolerated to live in the Penwood home since she was first dropped off at the doorstep. But when the Earl marries Sophie's life slowly takes a turn for the worse. Lady Penwood despises Sophie and makes sure that her two daughters treat Sophie with the same disrespect and disgust that she feels for her. Shortly after the Earl dies, Sophie is forced into a servant role that she endures for years.

But Sophie's life changes forever when the servants of the home all help her attend a masquerade ball. And at that same ball is Benedict Bridgerton. The second son of the famous Bridgerton family, he has struggled to break the mold set upon him by the ton. He's tired of being known as only the "Second" and wishes for nothing more than to find himself among his beloved family members. Upon seeing a masked and alluring lady in silver, Benedict falls completely in love with her. But when the clock strikes midnight, the lady in silver flees and disappears out of Benedict's life.

He spends years after the ball searching for his lady in silver. She fills his dreams and thoughts daily and it's not until four years later when he happens upon a maid in an unfortunate situation that his heart seems to start beating again. After fleeing the Penwood estate four years ago, Sophie finds herself getting ready to leave another job after being constantly pursued by the son of the house. And it's on this very night that her Prince Charming comes back into her life once again...

I enjoyed the somewhat darker-toned writing in this book. It still had great dialogue and lots of laughs but was also filled with heart-breaking emotion that made me keep flipping the pages. Benedict was definitely a gentleman in the story with a sweet and lovable side to him. But he also had a pushy and insistant side that bothered me a little. He was relentless in his insisting that Sophie become his mistress. I get that he didn't know the entire story of her past but "no" does mean "no" and I think if he loved her as much as he said he did he would rather marry her and tell the ton to shove it! But of course things have a way of working out...

Sophie was so strong-willed. She was courageous and still had such a brightness to her. I very much enjoyed having her as the heroine of the story. I also wanted to comment on Violet Bridgerton (the famous mother of the Bridgerton clan)...In one word she's basically AWESOME! I pretty much love her =) A kind-hearted mother and human being in general, she's also fierce and loyal! And the story wouldn't be a Brigerton story without mentioning Lady Whistledown... She didn't seem as much into Benedict and Sophie's business as she usually is but she certainly brings that extra something to each of Julia Quinn's books.

Book four is patiently waiting to be read on my shelf and I'm super excited about it. It features the next brother-in-line Colin and Penelope Featherington: definitely a story that I can't wait to dive into! I hope you'll give this series a try if you haven't already. The books so far have been laugh out loud funny, filled with swoon worthy scenes, and is still written with a depth of emotion that I've come to really look forward to.

Teaser Tuesday [47] - Eve of Darkness

Teaser Tuesdays asks you to:








-Grab your current read
-Let the book fall open to a random page.
-Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12
-You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given.
-Please avoid spoilers!

----------

 Gadara's face split with a smile. " I want you to get your feet wet."

"Whatever," she scoffed. "I've gotten wet plenty of times in the last week."

Alec cleared his throat. Reed grinned.

"You know what I mean," she mumbled. (247)

Eve of Darkness :: S.J. Day

The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Water for Elephants meets Geek Love in this riveting first novel, an enchanting love story set in P. T. Barnum's American Museum in 1865 New York City.

Bartholomew Fortuno, the World's Thinnest Man, believes that his unusual body is a gift. Hired by none other than P. T. Barnum to work at his spectacular American Museum—a modern marvel of macabre displays, breathtaking theatrical performances, and live shows by Barnum's cast of freaks and oddities—Fortuno has reached the pinnacle of his career. But after a decade of constant work, he finds his sense of self, and his contentment within the walls of the museum, flagging. When a carriage pulls up outside the museum in the dead of night, bearing Barnum and a mysterious veiled woman—rumored to be a new performer—Fortuno's curiosity is piqued. And when Barnum asks Fortuno to follow her and report back on her whereabouts, his world is turned upside down. Why is Barnum so obsessed with this woman? Who is she, really? And why has she taken such a hold on the hearts of those around her?

Set in the New York of 1865, a time when carriages rattled down cobblestone streets, raucous bordellos near the docks thrived, and the country was mourning the death of President Lincoln, The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno is a moving novel about human appetites and longings. With pitch-perfect prose, Ellen Bryson explores what it means to be profoundly unique—and how the power of love can transcend even the greatest divisions.

----------

I'm giving away my gently read ARC copy of THE TRANSFORMATION OF BARTHOLOMEW FORTUNO (June 22, 2010). To enter simply comment below with an email address... (no email address = no entry)

Extra Entries:
+3 for following the blog with Google Friend Connect
+2 for subscribing through email (Located in sidebar)
+2 for following the blog on Facebook. (<---- click the link)
+2 for following on twitter. (provide your twitter @name)
+1 for commenting on the review! (<---click the link)
+1 share this! -sidebar, blog post, twitter, facebook (links required, each link = +1)


Giveaway ends July 12th and the winner will be announced July 13th. Sorry, US Entries only.

Good Luck!

The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno - ARC Review

The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno

Ellen Bryson

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Release Date: June 2010

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Pages: 400 (352 ARC version)

Author Site: http://www.ellenbryson.com/

My Rating: 3.25/5

Source: Received for review from publisher

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

Water for Elephants meets Geek Love in this riveting first novel, an enchanting love story set in P. T. Barnum's American Museum in 1865 New York City.

Bartholomew Fortuno, the World's Thinnest Man, believes that his unusual body is a gift. Hired by none other than P. T. Barnum to work at his spectacular American Museum—a modern marvel of macabre displays, breathtaking theatrical performances, and live shows by Barnum's cast of freaks and oddities—Fortuno has reached the pinnacle of his career. But after a decade of constant work, he finds his sense of self, and his contentment within the walls of the museum, flagging. When a carriage pulls up outside the museum in the dead of night, bearing Barnum and a mysterious veiled woman—rumored to be a new performer—Fortuno's curiosity is piqued. And when Barnum asks Fortuno to follow her and report back on her whereabouts, his world is turned upside down. Why is Barnum so obsessed with this woman? Who is she, really? And why has she taken such a hold on the hearts of those around her?

Set in the New York of 1865, a time when carriages rattled down cobblestone streets, raucous bordellos near the docks thrived, and the country was mourning the death of President Lincoln, The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno is a moving novel about human appetites and longings. With pitch-perfect prose, Ellen Bryson explores what it means to be profoundly unique—and how the power of love can transcend even the greatest divisions.

Review:

 
THE TRANSFORMATION OF BARTHOLOMEW FORTUNO was a very enjoyable read for me. I haven’t read many historic novels as of yet so it was exciting to find a book set in the past that I had no problem with reading. It’s 1865 in New York right around the time President Lincoln was assassinated. The story takes place in P.T. Barnum’s American Museum that housed some of the world’s most famous oddities and curiosities. Bartholomew Fortuno is the world’s thinnest man and has had a very successful career sharing his gift with the patrons that frequent the museum. But after a mysterious new act arrives Bartholomew’s entire outlook on life changes and he begins to question everything he’s believed in for so long.

I enjoyed the unique characters in the novel. I appreciated the way that Bryson not only portrayed them as oddities but included the beauty of their differences as well. Bartholomew was an interesting main character. Seeing him develop and his attitude change was over the course of the novel was definitely a journey. In the beginning, Bartholomew considers his extreme thinness as a gift. He considers all of his fellow curiosities to possess their own gifts as well. These gifts set them apart from the normal crowd; above them even. I think my favorite character was Matina. Her honesty and beauty shined every time she was in a scene and I suppose me being a little on the bigger side myself I admired her courage and her sense of self.

The atmosphere of the novel was well written and definitely believable. I didn’t feel bogged down by any unnecessary historical facts either which I suppose is what worries me when it concerns books that are written in a past time. The writing was smooth from beginning to an end with a pretty good finish to sum up the story. The ending wasn’t as dramatic as the plot led me to believe but it didn’t disappoint me all that much.

The only issue I had with the novel was the synopsis. I was expecting more of a love story in the novel, that’s basically what the back of the book is promising. However, it’s more a story of obsessions, which isn’t a bad thing just not necessarily what I thought I was getting into. Not only is Bartholomew obsessed with Iell, but his entire “gift” of being thin is based on an obsession as well. I found his obsession with Iell a little confusing. I understand how one can feel totally attracted to something or simply compelled to be around it without really understanding why they feel that way. However, I just couldn’t really connect with Bartholomew’s obsession. Either it wasn’t really explained or developed enough for my brain to get a grip on it. I did appreciate Ellen Bryson’s way of capturing his obsessions though. Obsession is so closely related to addiction and I think Bryson depicted Bartholomew’s actions very well. His obsessions were definitely borderline addictions.

I think many readers who enjoy the time period or subject matter will definitely like this book. If either factor is new to you I still recommend you give it a try.

Friday Finds [34]

**Hosted by MizB, click here to see more Friday Finds

I usually add a lot of books on my TBR list throughout the week. This is just a small glimpse into the ones that were added on recently. Maybe you'll find something you like =)

Please let me know your thoughts on a book you've read from the list. Or tell me about a good book you've found this week.

My Finds This Week:

Riding Invisible :: Sandra Alonzo

The Mill on the Floss :: George Eliot

Exposed :: Susan Vaught

Toads and Diamonds :: Heather Tomlinson
Pegasus :: Robin McKinley

Party :: Tom Leveen

Flirting with Forever :: Gwyn Cready

Skin :: Adrienne Maria Vrettos

Aries Rising :: Bonnie Hearn Hill

 Winter Longing :: Tricia Mills

Lord of Snow & Shadows :: Sarah Ash

The Education of Bet :: Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Spirit

Spirit

Andrew Feder

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Release Date: January 2010

Publisher: AuthorHouse

Pages: 356

Author Site: http://www.andrewfeder.com/spirit.html

My Rating: 1/5

Source: Received for review from The Cadence Group
 

Synopsis:

[from http://www.goodreads.com/]

 

Randall Lender was a Wanted Man. He was wanted by the Clergy of the Major Organized Religions, the Governments and the New World Order, but that was the least of his problems. After going out of body (astral projection) Randall Lender suddenly found himself in such a paradox where the surrealism meets dilemma. Within this phenomenon of Looking Through the Hour Glass he unfortunately after leaving his physical body ended up into another's. This was his paradox. This was his dilemma. This was his surrealism. And regrettably for Lender this was the real quantum problem. Randall Lender found himself on an unexpected journey with its twists and turns until he realizes that he must die to live for his return to his former body. And now the elixir of questions remains: What? How? And Why? Then you'll ask why me? Why him? And What If?

 

Review:

 
  First off let me say that the synopsis of this book is what got me to say yes when I was approached to review this book. I haven't read a lot of books on astral projection but it's an interesting topic; one I definitely wanted to see explored. Not only does the blurb speak of astral projection but it delves further by asking 'What happens if one's soul gets lost after leaving the host body?' Randall Lender may have bitten off more than  he could chew when his spirit landed in a wanted criminal who just committed a murder. (No spoiler there...it's on the back of the book) Anywho, with all my interest in the topic of the novel I was very disappointed with the execution and had to even put the book down a couple of times to keep from giving up all together. *sigh*.

Let me start by saying that I always finish a book I start...even if I have to put it down for a little while like I stated in the previous paragraph. I respect and admire every author who has written a book. I know how precious the novel can be to its creator; like a baby. So while I respect and admire Andrew Feder for all his efforts I still don't know how his book got published. I know, I know...that was harsh. But I seriously doubt an editor even looked at the book. While there is definitely promise in the premise of the story, its characters, and even the background world Feder creates, the writing itself is like eating something that you refuse to acknowledge is inedible. The style can leave one in a state of confusion where they simply ask "What did I just read?" There were many times that the writing was good. Then there were times when it was simply okay. Other times it seemed Feder's overeagerness to create his "novel baby" got the best of him and he sort of just wrote or typed without really thinking of how it fit with the rest of the page/chapter/or entire book.

There is a lot of repetitive writing as well and the constant switch from bold, italicized, and capitilized words is a real distraction from the story. It seemed Feder wrote a statement or a description and then in the next sentence or two had the exact same statement or description with maybe one word difference. Also the dialogue was a bit sketchy for a lack of a better term. I had a hard time connecting with the characters because of their interaction with each other.

I didn't hate the book. I loved the idea of it and I love the fact that Feder made an effort to express his ideas even if I didn't enjoy the way he did it. He has a highly orinigal story that was just put together a little too funky for me. My 1 star rating is definitely a more personal rating. I wasn't really feeling it and it just wasn't the book for me.

Waiting on Wednesday [55] - Dust

from goodreads.com:

Nine years ago, Jessie had a family. Now, she has a gang.

Nine years ago, Jessie was a vegetarian. Now, she eats very fresh meat.

Nine years ago, Jessie was in a car crash and died. Nine years ago, Jessie was human.

Now, she’s not.

After she was buried, Jessie awoke and tore through the earth to arise, reborn, as a zombie. Jessie’s gang is the Fly-by-Nights. She loves the ancient, skeletal Florian and his memories of time gone by. She’s in love with Joe, a maggot-infested corpse. They fight, hunt, dance together as one—something humans can never understand. There are dark places humans have learned to avoid, lest they run into the zombie gangs.

But now, Jessie and the Fly-by-Nights have seen new creatures in the woods—things not human and not zombie. A strange new illness has flamed up out of nowhere, causing the undeads to become more alive and the living to exist on the brink of death. As bits and pieces of the truth fall around Jessie, like the flesh off her bones, she’ll have to choose between looking away or staring down the madness—and hanging onto everything she has come to know as life…

 
 
 
----------
 
Reason: This definitely sounds like a brand new twist to the zombie world. I'm very excited to see what the novel has in store for its readers.
 
Cover Discussion:  The cover is unique just like the synopsis. I love the leaf image and the way it looks like it's decaying. I'm looking forward to seeing the connection between the cover and the story itself.
 
 

 

Dust will be released September 7th!

What are you waiting on this week?

To see more books that are being waited for click here.
 
 

Teaser Tuesday [46]

Teaser Tuesdays asks you to:







-Grab your current read
-Let the book fall open to a random page.
-Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12
-You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given.
-Please avoid spoilers!



----------

"I think I have to kiss you," he said, looking as if he couldn't quite believe his own words. "It's rather like breathing. One doesn't have much choice in the matter." (170)

An Offer from a Gentleman :: Julia Quinn

Finding Marco GIVEAWAY

***GIVEAWAY CLOSED***

As a young boy, running through the mountain valleys of Italy, Mark Gentile dreams of success-the kind of success that happens in a boardroom, far away from the country life. So after graduating from law school, Mark quickly climbs the corporate and legal ladder, eventually becoming CEO of a leading auto manufacturer. But after butting heads with company leaders, Mark fears he has compromised his ethics. With his wife's blessing, Mark returns to Acerenza, his birthplace in southern Italy. While enjoying the leisurely pace of the new life he's found in his old home, however, Mark must make a decision: Should he abandon his roots for a second time and satisfy his innate hunger for the struggles and rewards of corporate life? Or should he embrace his native land and create a more balanced life for himself and his family?

----------

I have one (1) copy of FINDING MARCO up for grabs thanks to Phenix Publicity for one lucky reader. To enter simply comment below with an email address... (no email address = no entry)



Extra Entries:
+3 for following the blog with Google Friend Connect
+2 for subscribing through email (Located in sidebar)
+2 for following the blog on Facebook. (<---- click the link)
+2 for following on twitter. (provide your twitter @name)
+1 for commenting on the review! (<---click the link)
+1 share this! -sidebar, blog post, twitter, facebook (links required, each link = +1)


Giveaway ends July 4th and the winner will be announced July 5th. Sorry, US Entries only.

Good Luck!

Book Arrivals

----------

From Contests/Misc:

Queen of Soul and Songs :: C.L. Wilson

(Book four in the Tairen Soul series)

(Won in a giveaway hosted by Anna's Book Blog - Thanks so  much Anna!)

As the Fey King and his bride finally complete their truemate bond, they defeat their most powerful enemy and discover hidden truths about their world.

The Reapers are the Angels :: Alden Bell
(ARC Received for review)

Zombies have infested a fallen America. A young girl named Temple is on the run. Haunted by her past and pursued by a killer, Temple is surrounded by death and danger, hoping to be set free.

For twenty-five years, civilization has survived in meager enclaves, guarded against a plague of the dead. Temple wanders this blighted landscape, keeping to herself and keeping her demons inside her heart. She can't remember a time before the zombies, but she does remember an old man who took her in and the younger brother she cared for until the tragedy that set her on a personal journey toward redemption. Moving back and forth between the insulated remnants of society and the brutal frontier beyond, Temple must decide where ultimately to make a home and find the salvation she seeks.

Something Like Fate :: Susane Colasanti

(Won from a giveaway hosted by Book Lover-Carol - Thanks Carol!)

Lani and Erin are bonded for life. One thing that connects them is their fascination of fate. Lani wonders how much of our lives has already been decided and how much we can actually influence. Since the Unknown can unexpectedly change our lives forever, how much can we really control?

From the minute Lani meets Jason, she can't deny the intense connection they share. It feels like she's known him forever. She's not sure if he feels it, too. But it doesn't matter. Because Jason is Erin's boyfriend. Lani is determined to ignore her feelings for Jason, no matter how powerful they are, rather than risk hurting her best friend. How long can Lani keep running from the boy who might be her destiny?

The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno :: Ellen Bryson

(ARC Recieved for review)

Bartholomew Fortuno, the World's Thinnest Man, believes that his unusual body is a gift. Hired by none other than P. T. Barnum to work at his spectacular American Museum—a modern marvel of macabre displays, breathtaking theatrical performances, and live shows by Barnum's cast of freaks and oddities—Fortuno has reached the pinnacle of his career. But after a decade of constant work, he finds his sense of self, and his contentment within the walls of the museum, flagging. When a carriage pulls up outside the museum in the dead of night, bearing Barnum and a mysterious veiled woman—rumored to be a new performer—Fortuno's curiosity is piqued. And when Barnum asks Fortuno to follow her and report back on her whereabouts, his world is turned upside down. Why is Barnum so obsessed with this woman? Who is she, really? And why has she taken such a hold on the hearts of those around her?

Set in the New York of 1865, a time when carriages rattled down cobblestone streets, raucous bordellos near the docks thrived, and the country was mourning the death of President Lincoln, The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno is a moving novel about human appetites and longings. With pitch-perfect prose, Ellen Bryson explores what it means to be profoundly unique—and how the power of love can transcend even the greatest divisions.

----------

From Paperbackswap.com:

Romancing Mister Bridgerton :: Julia Quinn

(Book four in the Bridgerton series)

Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend's brother for...well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret...and fears she doesn't know him at all.
 

Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of everyone's preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can't seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph. But when Colin returns to London from a trip aboard he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same -- especially Penelope Featherington! The girl haunting his dreams. But when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide...is she his biggest threat -- or his promise of a happy ending?



The Way of Shadows :: Brent Weeks
(Book one in the Night Angel trilogy)

For Durzo Blint, assassination is an art-and he is the city's most accomplished artist.
 
For Azoth, survival is precarious. Something you never take for granted. As a guild rat, he's grown up in the slums, and learned to judge people quickly - and to take risks. Risks like apprenticing himself to Durzo Blint.

But to be accepted, Azoth must turn his back on his old life and embrace a new identity and name. As Kylar Stern, he must learn to navigate the assassins' world of dangerous politics and strange magics - and cultivate a flair for death.
 
 
 
 

Finding Marco

Finding Marco

Kenneth C. Cancellara

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Release Date: June 2010

Publisher: Synergy Books

Pages: 211

Book Site: http://www.findingmarco.com/

My Rating: 3.25/5

Source: Received for review from Phenix Publicity

Synopsis

[from goodreads.com]:

As a young boy, running through the mountain valleys of Italy, Mark Gentile dreams of success-the kind of success that happens in a boardroom, far away from the country life. So after graduating from law school, Mark quickly climbs the corporate and legal ladder, eventually becoming CEO of a leading auto manufacturer. But after butting heads with company leaders, Mark fears he has compromised his ethics. With his wife's blessing, Mark returns to Acerenza, his birthplace in southern Italy. While enjoying the leisurely pace of the new life he's found in his old home, however, Mark must make a decision: Should he abandon his roots for a second time and satisfy his innate hunger for the struggles and rewards of corporate life? Or should he embrace his native land and create a more balanced life for himself and his family?

Review:

FINDING MARCO was an enjoyable read. It was slow-paced but filled with vivid descriptions and a “homey” kind of writing style that was very easy to get lost in. Mark “Marco” Gentile has been successful all his life after his big move to Canada with his family as a child. He graduates from law school top of his class and spends many years as a successful lawyer. Mark eventually finds a niche as a CEO of a top North American auto manufacturer. But shortly after taking over, the business strategy of the company is up for debate and Mark’s views disagree with those of the company leaders. So instead of compromising his ethics and integrity he decides to resign from his position.

After resigning Mark heads back to Acerenza, Italy where he was born in hopes of finding something to help guide him into the next stage of his life. In Acerenza the corporate world seems to fade away as Mark immerses himself in the simplistic beauty of his birthplace. He comes back into contact with an old friend and finds the time to reflect on his life. Not really a mid-life crisis, Mark is struggling to come to terms with what to do now that he has achieved so much in his life already. Mark’s journey is a reflective one that I think most adult readers will come to appreciate and enjoy.

After reading a little of the author’s background, I can definitely see some similarities between him and Mark. Kenneth Cancellara has been through much of what his character has and successfully uses the events in his life to help shape Mark’s. Being a business major myself I found the first part of the novel extremely interesting. Mark’s corporate career dealing with business strategies and running a company involved things I had talked about earlier this year in college and I admit I liked knowing exactly what was going on. I wanted to mention the fact that that the first part of the novel is filled with business terms that some readers may find a little boring or overwhelming.

I also wanted to say that I did have some trouble personally connecting with Mark. Overall he was a very developed character. It might have been the fact that the story was in written in third-person, but I’m not too sure. I just felt distant from his character if that makes sense at all. And that’s just a personal thing I’m sure. Like I said, the book was enjoyable and so was Mark (along with the other characters). I think FINDING MARCO focuses more on the journey rather than the character taking it and because of that I think many readers will be able to find some part of Mark’s journey that they can connect with.

Friday Finds [33]

**Hosted by MizB, click here to see more Friday Finds

I usually add a lot of books on my TBR list throughout the week. This is just a small glimpse into the ones that were added on recently. Maybe you'll find something you like =)

Please let me know your thoughts on a book you've read from the list. Or tell me about a good book you've found this week.
 
 
 

My Finds This Week:

  

Mermaid :: Carolyn Turgeon

The Replacement :: Brenna Yovanoff

Sasha :: Joel Shepherd

Bone and Jewel Creatures :: Elizabeth Bear

Red Hot Fury :: Kasey Mackenzie

The Fire Lord's Lover :: Kathryne Kennedy

Oath of Fealty :: Elizabeth Moon

Knightley Academy :: Violet Haberdasher

Out of My Mind :: Sharon M. Draper

  

 

Wolf at the Door :: Christine Warren

How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire :: Kerrelyn Sparks

Heavenly :: Jennifer Laurens