BOTM #13

As of the 1st November I haven't done my wrap-up post on YouTube but I will be doing one during the weekend so I will leave a link to it on here once I have uploaded it.

So in October I had a great month of reading where nothing I read was rated under 3 stars and even those I loved in parts. So here's the books I read in October:

• The Diviners by Libba Bray ***
• Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins *****
• Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter *****
• Mystic City by Theo Lawrence *** 1/2
• The Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost ***
• A Soldier's Secret by Marissa Moss ****
• Becoming a Butterfly by Mia Castile ****
• Die For Me by Amy Plum ****

And the book of the month goes too...

 

Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

This month's book of the month was really hard for me to choose as I had a couple five star ratings and even the four stars could have won any other month but this on. In the end I went for Alice in Zombieland as it was down to the characters which I loved even more than my other books and it had me on more of a roller coaster ride of emotions. I am also not a big fan of zombie books but this book changed that for me. To read my full review click here.

 

So that was my pick did you agree with my choice? or would you have picked a different book? What was your favourite book you read in October?

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #53

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!
(Click on images to send you to Goodreads)

Finished Reading

(Click on title for review)

A Soldier's Secret by Marissa Moss

Becoming A Butterfly by Mia Castile

Die For Me by Amy Plum

 

 

Currently Reading

 

Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick

Only just started it but I'm not sure what to think about it yet as things are only just starting to happen so hopefully it will pick up soon.

 

 

Reading Next

 

Butterfly Kisses by Mia Castile

 

Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick

I actually haven't got this book but I am hoping to have it by the end of the day so I will make sure I start it sometime this week and I for one can't wait to read it.

 

 

So that is what I am planning on reading this week leave me links to your posts and I'll come take a look.

 

Book Review: A Soldier's Secret

A Soldier's Secret: The Incredible True Story of Sarah Edmonds, Civil War Hero by

Marissa Moss

(May contain spoilers)

 

Format: Paperback (arc)

Publishers: Abrams & Chronicle Books

Published: 1st September 2012

Pages: 400

Main Characters: Sarah/Frank,

Date Started: 17th October 2012

Date Finished: 23rd October 2012

Rating Given:

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

The story of Sarah Emma Edmonds, who masqueraded as a man named Frank Thompson during the Civil War. Among her many adventures, she was a nurse on the battlefield and a spy for the Union Army, and was captured by (and escaped from) the Confederates. The novel is narrated by Sarah, offering readers an in-depth look not only at the Civil War but also at her journey to self-discovery as she grapples with living a lie and falling in love with one of her fellow soldiers.

 

 

I received an email from Abrams & Chronicles (thanks for sending me the book) if I wanted to read this book and even though it's not my normal kind of book it sounded interesting so I thought I would give it a try and I'm glad I did.

 

The cover doesn't exactly draw me in but once I had read the story the cover explained itself. It's the title that actually drew me in so I'm glad it's in the centre of the book and bold making it eye catching.

 

I loved that this story was based on a true story as it gave the book more meaning and making the journey all the more remarkable. From the moment I started this book I was hooked and was intrigued to find out what was going to happen to her. The thing that I didn't like at the beginning was that if you never knew the title you wouldn't know the secret. We don't even find out her real name or even the background story of why Sarah poses as a man until a few chapters into the book. It's a very remarkable story that makes me think how lucky us women/girls have it today compared to back when this book was set. It is an action packed book as you would imagine a book set in the civil war would be and this book certainly paints a very vivid picture. Even though it was a depressing story of war there was still times when I would laugh out loud but then there was times when I felt for her especially the things she had to endure. I did find the book a bit repetitive as it was mainly fighting/disguising/ill/recover which was pretty much repeated throughout the story which did get a bit annoying. I loved that after Moss finished the story she also explained where she got her information from and also a couple of things that she made up which was the one thing I wanted to be true so it kind of breaks my heart to know that that never happened.

 

Frank/Sarah was a great character as she was so brave I just couldn't imagine seeing the things that she did without my stomach turning. She seemed more like a man than any of the male characters. I enjoyed seeing how she overcame certain situations and some of them even made me cringe. She just seemed to me like she was born in the wrong century as she wouldn't have had to go through half the things she did do today. There was a few other characters that was in this book book but they where mainly men who didn't know that she was a woman. My favourite character aside from Frank/Sarah was Damon as he was really funny but also he just seemed genuinely a nice guy. Jerome I liked and could see why Frank/Sarah fell for him but he did annoy me a lot. What makes me want to read about these characters more than I have before is that where real people in real situations.

 

Overall an inspiring read and one that I would definitely recommend to anyone.

Teaser Tuesday #44

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! To find out more about the books click on the picture which will take you to Goodreads.




My teasers:

A Soldier's Secret by Marissa Moss

Just a minute there." The recruiter stops me as I lean over to dip the pen in ink. "You can't enlist."
I freeze. Can he tell? I'm wearing a shirt, vest, and trousers as usual, my curly hair cut short except for a lock that insists on falling over my forehead. I brush it away nervously and meet the man's eyes. I've been passing for nearly three years now, but every new encounter still brings with it the same fear. I take nothing for granted. The key thing, I remind myself, is not to reveal anything, to act as normal as possible. - Page 1



I know I usually use two teasers when reading the one book but I have used a longer teaser this time to make up for it as I don't want to give too much away. This is actually the first lines from the book which I though set up the story the best. I have near enough finished this book and I am really enjoying it.

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #52

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!
(Click on images to send you to Goodreads)

Finished Reading

(Click on title for review)

 

Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

The Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost 

 

 

Currently Reading

 

A Soldier's Secret by Marissa Moss

Not my normal kind of book but it's very interesting and I am really enjoying it.

 

 

Reading Next

 

Becoming A Butterfly by Mia Castile

 

Die For Me by Amy Plum

I have had this for awhile now so thought I should read it and I've heard great things about it so I'm looking forward to reading it.

 

 

So that's what I'm planning on reading this week let me know what you're reading or leave me a link to your post and I'll get back to you.

 

 

 

It's Monday What are You Reading? #51

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!
(Click on images to send you to Goodreads)

Finished Reading

(Click on title for review)

 

Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter 

 

I didn't have the best week of reading as it was my Mum's birthday so I had to get her presents as well as spending the day celebrating with her and the rest of my family.

 

 

Currently Reading

 

Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

It's a really confusing start but I'm hoping once things start getting cleared up I'm sure it will pick up.

 

The Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost

A lot of the time this is a very action packed book but there are times when it's dull.

 

 

Reading Next

 

A Soldier's Secret by Marissa Moss

 

Destine by Katherine Polillo

 

 

 

So that's what I'm planning on reading this week let me know what your reading.

 

 

 

 

Showcase Sunday #14

Showcase Sunday is a new weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea and for more info click on the SS image which will take you straight to the blog. Click on the titles of the books to take you to Goodreads.





Books mentioned in the vlog

Review Books
A Soldier's Secret by Marissa Moss
Breathe by Sarah Crossan
Book Brought
The Duff by Kody Keplinger
Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Dark Eyes by William Richter


Thank you to Bloomsbury and Abrams & Chronicles Publishing for sending me my review books.