Filtered by G.K. Lamb 📚 BOOK REVIEW

G.K. Lamb

I read a digital edition of Filtered that I received for free from Reedsy Discovery in exchange for an honest review. Filtered is the first book in the Great Society trilogy.

Genre: Dystopian

Publisher: Monolith

Originally published: November 17th, 2015

Pages: 382 (paperback)

Blurb by the publisher:

Wear Your Mask—in the smog-choked city of Einsam it’s not just a good idea, it’s the law.

Every aspect of life in the Great Society is regulated, your every action observed.

The only thoughts you can trust are your own.

Seventeen years of oppression boil in Evelyn’s mind and she’s desperate for a way out.

In an act of defiance, she breaks from routine and discovers a world of radicals and dissidents. Beliefs she thought immutable crumble away like ash.

Standing on the threshold between the world she’s always known and an uncertain path toward freedom, Evelyn must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to learn the truth about the Great Society.

My thoughts:

When it comes to dystopian novels, I tend to feel that I often come across the same storylines over and over again, but Filtered was something very different. 

It is a dystopian novel with a premise of a future that had me feeling suffocated together with the main character and wanting to fight for the truth alongside with her. And while it is fiction and all, I can’t help feeling that a lot of the scary parts of a government-driven fear hits quite close to home. We live in a world where we see the evil of the world combined with information overload, and reading a novel like Filtered has me considering how much of my everyday thinking and actions are completely my own. 

Filtered is a story of dystopia, but it is also one about power, control, propaganda and the search for truth and human kindness in the darkest of places. 

It took me a little while to connect with the main character Evelyn, but at some point, she took me by the hand on this scary but exciting adventure. There were quite a few characters that I would have loved to know better, and also a lot of questions I have been left unanswered, but knowing this is the first book in a trilogy (and ending on quite the cliff-hanger I must say), I’m hoping that will change when the story continues on. 

Filtered was a breath of fresh air, and I will be impatiently waiting for the next book in the series!

Click on the Reedsy Discovery logo below to get to know more, maybe get your own copy, and let me know what you think of it💛

Reedsy Discovery

Unteachable by Leah Raeder (Elliot Wake) 📚 BOOK REVIEW

Elliot Wake (formerly known as Leah Raeder)

I read a paperback version of Unteachable as a part of my Exploring Erotica project.

Genre: Adult & contemporary fiction, Erotica

Publisher: Atria Books

Originally published: July 27th, 2013

Pages: 320 (paperback)

Audiobook length: 9 Hours 49 Minutes

Blurb by the publisher:

Maise O’Malley just turned eighteen, but she’s felt like a grown-up her entire life. The summer before senior year, she has plans: get into a great film school, convince her mom to go into rehab, and absolutely do not, under any circumstances, screw up her own future. 

But life has a way of throwing her plans into free-fall. 

When Maise meets Evan at a carnival one night, their chemistry is immediate, intense, and short-lived. Which is exactly how she likes it: no strings. But afterward, she can’t get Evan out of her head. He’s taught her that a hookup can be something more. It can be an unexpected connection with someone who truly understands her. Someone who sees beyond her bravado to the scared but strong girl inside. 

That someone turns out to be her new film class teacher, Mr. Evan Wilke. 

Maise and Evan resolve to keep their hands off each other, but the attraction is too much to bear. Together, they’re real and genuine; apart, they’re just actors playing their parts for everyone else. And their masks are slipping. People start to notice. Rumors fly. When the truth comes to light in a shocking way, they may learn they were just playing parts for each other, too. 

Smart, sexy, and provocative, Unteachable is about what happens when a love story goes off-script

My thoughts:

I’ve been on the search for good adult fiction and erotica through my Exploring Erotica Project that’s been going on for a few years now. Around my birthday last year, I ordered a big bunch of erotica novels that were recommended to me in the comment section of one of the first Exploring Erotica videos I posted on YouTube. That is how I came across Unteachable and I was immediately intrigued by the story and the good reviews.

One of the first things I noticed that made me instantly like Maise as the main character was how strong and funny she was. Having read quite a few erotica novels by now, I feel like it’s a way too common thing to put young and inexperienced characters in these stories as sort of damsels in distress, and honestly, I’m not a fan.

When it comes to stories of love and sex, I much more enjoy experienced and strong characters that stand up for themselves. Maise, although she comes from a problematic upbringing, she is a very strong and passionate character. She’s very aware of her femininity, sexuality, and the power that comes with both.

I was worried that I would see the overly dominant and submissive character tropes when I saw that the story was about the relationship between a teacher and a student, but it didn’t have that.

Both characters are quite young(18 and 32), and the age difference between them doesn’t make the relationship between the characters uncomfortable and weird.

It’s more the story of an inconvenient setting of two young people that find themselves attracted to each other and trying to find out how to rightly maneuver their way through the jungle of love, lust, and judgment.

Something that adds to the depth of the characters is the fact they do carry each of their own demons into the relationship they start and that complicate things, as those pesky past demons tend to do. This makes it into a more realistic story.

Talking about realistic; the sex is very well written and fairly graphic, and there’s quite a lot of it, so this one is not for those readers who’re looking for “clean romances”. I really appreciated the erotica parts of this story. I thought it was well balanced with the rest of the story.

Unteachable is also a sort of coming of age story as well. It has the elements of worry and uncertainty about making big life choices, which is something we all can relate to on some level.

I think that this book also does a really good job of portraiting that slightly unhealthy obsession that sometimes happens when falling in love.

These characters and their relationship was interesting to observe as it grew and changed.

The secrecy and potential drama that comes with this forbidden relationship also make this story into a pageturner that’s hard to put down.

Unteachable is a breath of fresh air in a genre that really needs exactly that, and more awesome storytellers like Elliot Wake (formerly known as Leah Raeder).

 Click on the Bookdepository banner below to get your own copy with free shipping, make up your own mind, and let me know what you think of it💛

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The Secret Life of Cows by Rosamund Young 📚 BOOK REVIEW

I read a hardback version of The Secret Life of Cows.

Genre: Nonfiction

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Originally published: 2003

Pages: 137 (hardback)

 

 

 

 

Blurb by the publisher:

Cows can love, play games, bond and form strong, life-long friendships. They can sulk, hold grudges, and they have preferences and can be vain. All these characteristics and more have been observed, documented, interpreted and retold by Rosamund Young based on her experiences looking after the family farm’s herd on Kite’s Nest Farm in Worcestershire, England. Here the cows, sheep, hens and pigs all roam free. There is no forced weaning, no separation of young from siblings or mother. They seek and are given help when they request it and supplement their own diets by browsing and nibbling leaves, shoots, flowers and herbs. Rosamund Young provides a fascinating insight into a secret world – secret because many modern farming practices leave no room for displays of natural behavior yet, ironically, a happy herd produces better quality beef and milk.

Rosamund Young

 

"A lighthearted and charming read, but I was expecting something
 completely different."

My Thoughts

When I first heard about this book, I was utterly intrigued. And since I became vegan, I’ve gotten more and more interested in the psyche of animals. I went into this one expecting something completely different, and I can’t blame anyone but myself for that. I didn’t do proper research and I jumped in blindly. Sometimes that is a positive thing, this time though, it wasn’t a perfect match.

Where I was expecting more research and facts I got a cute story about farmed cows and their personalities.

There no denying that Rosamund Young has written a charming book about animals that she clearly loves, and I really do appreciate that in this one. That being said, I could not help but feel that this book wasn’t targeted as much to me as a vegan. She writes quite a lot about how the wellbeing of the cows makes for better meat and milk, and needless to say that doesn’t really resonate much with me say.

That being said, I still think that Young and her family’s way of running a farm is a million times better than factory farming, and I applaud them for making the choice to value these wonderful cows and making sure they all live a good life filled with love and comfort.

Some of the stories told in this book are very interesting, and I definitely do have a bit of a new look on the kind of personalities cows can have. And I found the way that she explained how they communicated with humans to be the most fascinating part of the book.

So overall I would say that it was a lighthearted and charming read, but I was expecting something completely different.

Do you want to make up your own opinion about the book? Click on the Bookdepository or Amazon logo below to go and get your own copy!

Drawing Reading Goals for 2016

How Do I Read You Ask?

I’ve been getting questions a lot lately from readers and friends wondering about my reading habits and routines so I thought I would share my answers with you all 🙂

The Real Deal!

The thing about books is that it’s really all about the story and how it is told.

But for book nerds like myself there are other things that we value as well. Like a beautiful cover and how it’ll be a great addition to that future library, preferably one as big as Belle’s in Beauty and the Beast of course!

This is one of the many reasons why my absolute favorite is the book that I can hold with my hands, feel that lovely paper texture and sometimes even sniff it because some of them have that lovely old book smell that warms a readers heart.

But I want to be very clear about one thing: If I don’t like the book, I won’t keep it just because it has a beautiful cover.

It is what’s inside that truly counts!

Listen! Can you hear it?

When you are a dedicated reader you find time to devour the stories whenever you can.

Too many books, too little time! You know how it is..

So whenever I do my makeup, workout, are out and about or can’t sleep I use my Audible App and listen to an audio book.

For me it is the perfect way of “reading” a book when I don’t feel like flipping those pages.

 If you haven’t tried Audible out yet, then click on the banner below for a free 30 days trial and two free audio books!

Oh Kindle, my Kindle!

A Kindle (or any reading tablet really) is a wonderful gadget to have for any book lover.

What opened my eyes to Kindle was when authors started to contact me, asking me if I wanted to read and review their books. I was so honored (and still am, every single time!) but when I was sent the media file I found myself struggling to commit to reading them on my phone or mac.

That’s when the Kindle ended up on the top of my wish list and I was lucky enough to get one for my birthday last year!

Mine is a Kindle Paperwhite and now that I have this darling in my life, I can’t imagine my life without it!

It’s such an easy way to get books in an instant, you can read in bed (without having to keep others up with that bright reading light) and you can bring hundreds of books with you when you travel without having to carry all that paper weight. You don’t want to ruin those beautiful editions either, right?

You can also download the Kindle app for free on any kind of tablet as well if you already have one of those and feel like you don’t need yet another gadget in your life.

All those books! Don’t get them mixed up!

I don’t always have the time or energy (or functional arms at times) to review a book at the very moment when I’ve finished it.

And some books takes some time to get through and have a bunch of characters. When wanting to review books I make sure to take notes while I’m reading.

I try to always have my notebook with me and if that isn’t possible I bring post-it’s (or something of the sort) and of course a couple of pens. I also like to mark out quotes or interesting things that I find in the handheld novels that I read.

With these notes of mine I can stay organized and avoid mixing up all the characters.

The Where? The When? The How?

Now that we’ve covered the things, it’s time to talk about the reading itself.

I am committed to my reading and my exploration of imaginary worlds. This means that I really do make time for my reading.

Instead of being bored, I read. But when I don’t feel motivated to do so, then I don’t. It’s important to not push it so that I don’t find myself falling into a reading slump.

I almost always bring a book (or my Kindle) with me and if not I have my phone and headset so that I can listen to one.

I very often choose reading over tv. I sometimes choose reading over socialization. I’m a book nerd, and I can’t help my self at times!

I can fully understand that my intense reading habits isn’t for anyone but I do encourage everyone to read a little every day. If just a poem, an essay or an article. Broaden your horizons and explore within the sentences written by people that has something inside them that they feel passionate about sharing with the world.

And as an extra motivator Belle and I will share a little secret:

I hope that this answered some of your questions! And if you did not find yours answered then please tell me and I’ll see if that can be fixed 🙂

Have a wonderful whatever it is wherever you are at this very moment!!

Toodles!

Document Your Life – July 2015

Midnight Gratefulness

Well in all honesty, the clock passed midnight way over an hour ago. But that is only a minor detail. 

There’s been so many surprises and wonderful things happening lately and at this very moment I’m lying in bed completely awestruck and so unbelievably grateful and excited!

First off I have to mention that Paulo Coelho shared both my written review and my video review of his book Adultery on his Facebook and Twitter! 

   

 
  
And yes! I shamelessly print screened it because this is freaking huge and utterly amazing! To be acknowledged for something that you do by someone you admire makes you feel so incredibly lucky and so grateful! This is something I will remember the rest of my life!! 

 And even though I’ve always loved reading (way before I started my blog and my YouTube channel) this made me even more motivated to read even more and expand my horizons while sharing it all with you guys! 

My views on this blog hit an all time record! I now have over 300 followers on this blog and over 100 followers on YouTube and it’s all happening at record speed now. At the time when I’m writing this, my video review of Adultery just passed 2000 views in just over 24 hours of it being published on my channel. 2000! It’s mind boggling to me but so amazing at the same time!

It’s so wonderful to read your comments and e-mails. And in a moment like this it is really hard to find the words that do my feelings justice, but to simply sum it up:

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! 

You’re all amazing and I love you guys so much! Thanks for all the lovely comments, constructive criticism, tips and encouraging words! You all warm my heart and inspire me endlessly! 

 
Now that I got to pour my heart out I’m going to try to get some sleep (with a huge smile on my face and a couple of matching tears) so wish me good luck 🙂 

 

Document Your Life – May + June

Landline by Rainbow Rowell – REVIEW

Landline is an adult contemporary novel. I read this in a paperback edition published by Orion Books.

Published: January 1st 2014

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Pages: 320 (hardcover)

Audiobook length: 9 hrs and 3 min

 

 

 

 Synopsis by the publisher

Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble; it has been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply — but that almost seems beside the point now.

Maybe that was always beside the point.

Two days before they’re supposed to visit Neal’s family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can’t go. She’s a TV writer, and something’s come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her — Neal is always a little upset with Georgie — but she doesn’t expect him to pack up the kids and go home without her.

When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she’s finally done it. If she’s ruined everything.

That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It’s not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she’s been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts…

Is that what she’s supposed to do?

Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

Rainbow Rowell

***

The Writing

Rowell’s writing is witty and I really did like the dialogue between the characters. Especially the ones between Georgie and young Neal.

There was a lot of easy humor, witty remarks and thoughts on love. And I loved the Tolkien references.

This is the second Rowell novel that I’ve read and I do really enjoy her writing even though I don’t feel as captivated by it as many others do.

The Characters

Georgie was a really ambitious character and I could relate to her in her frustration in feeling like she was trying to fulfill her dream as well as taking care of her family.

Seth and Neal made for two interesting male characters. I really fell for Seth in the beginning and just loved his smart remarks and his humor, but when young Neal came into the picture I had a hard time trying to decide which one of them I liked best.

Noomi is the cutest character in the bunch though! “Meow!”

The Plot

Landline had a pretty even pace and good build up.

It did take me a little while to get invested in the story, but when we got to around a hundred pages the story took a hold on me.

I felt like there could have been a lot more to this story as I did enjoy it quite a lot, but felt like everything got resolved a bit too quickly when there was so many feelings behind the whole plot.

I did like the ending though and it got me a little teared up.

My Thoughts

As I wrote above, it did take me quite a while to  get invested in this story. I was not bored for the first hundred pages, but I did not connect with the characters that much either.

But as the story finally took a hold on me I really did fly through it and enjoyed it very much.

It was an enjoyable and fast read but I didn’t love it.

Would you like your own copy of Landline? Click on the Amazon or BookDepository logo below 🙂