Raven + Beez - Me before You by Jojo Moyes

Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.

I know its terribly cliche to begin a review with a sobbing picture or rants about sobbing but....

My heart is bleeding!

This book is beautifully devastating.

Sometimes I feel like killing the author Jojo Moyes for doing this to me.

This is one book that I could read a million times but still feel torn and heart broken.

In fact I think I should stop writing this review now because no matter what I write I can never do this book any justice.

This is one of those books that just pulls you in, slowly mesmerizing you, making you break into smiles every few seconds and makes you grow such a bond with the characters you didn't think possible!

The story: Lou is a 20 something girl who is satisfied with her life. She does not really yearn to live fully and crazily. While Will would kill to be able to just have the option and the choice of doing so much with his life.

As it happens Lou begins working for will!

And in all that time, Lou learns how to live, how to be full spirited while trying to remind a man that life is worth living. With several twists and heart wrenching scenes in this book, Jojo Moyes completely makes you fall in love with Will, the arse, and Lou the girl with the striped legs.

Their journey in this been written in this astoundingly real way and not made it feel like make believe. There are no magical coincidences and there is a lot of sarcasm and normalness.

There are various truths and understandings along the journeys and some terrible and truths and then finally those twists that twist your heart. This book tells us to live a little bolder and never settle for less because it may be taken away from you any time. This book also tells that sometimes things don't go like you think they will and that change and taking risks are very frightening but very needed as well. Out there is a world waiting for you to open it and take all what you want from it.

This story was written in an amazing way with the perfect plot to connect with you. When this book surprises you, it feels like those times when you feel as if life has slapped you on the face and it stings. Perfect in every way.

As for the ending, I don't know if I would have changed the ending. Probably not. As much as I want what happened not to have happened, the ending was perfect and made me sob my lungs out. This is actually my second time reading this book. I STILL CANT GET OVER IT.

What makes this book even more amazing are those little moments. In Alicia's wedding the dance between will and Lou, the storm night in Mauritius, Lou's birthday party, the various concerts they attend, the foreign films will makes Lou watch.

This is a beautiful book and I suggest every one that read it once in your life even the guys out there. I mean it, there's soo much more to this book than falling in love. There's the bitter truth and all that. 
On an ending note I should probably warn you that this book gives out dangerous emotions and guarantees outbursts and depression periods. Totally worth it though!

Lots of love & chocolate marshmallow pizza
Beez.

As usual, this is just another one of the books that Beez forced me to read and I'm glad she did. This isn't your typical romance novel, even though the beginning may fool you into thinking so. I don't really know what genre to put it in since it has almost everything except for supernatural and fantasy stuff.

Me before You was released last year and everyone knows that Twilight was all the rage at the time. This book went unnoticed among almost everyone. Why? Because the publishing market was craving for more vamps and werewolves. But thank the lord that this book was published. If such a book remained as a draft then it would be a crime. A crime towards all the people who cherish a beautiful, heart-touching book. 

The story might sound confusing but I think that's what makes this book something you can relate to. Since life is one huge pile of schist. 

Louisa was a really happy and satisfied woman. She had the best job, a hot/rich boyfriend, a small house with her bedroom (or closet) being the smallest, financial problems, a younger sister, Katrina who is always smarter than her, an old grandfather who is just a burden... okay so maybe I should cut off the "Happy" part about her life.

And I should probably mention that unlike any other "normal" individual she has no desire what so ever to explore the world around her, to gain fame or whatever.  She just wants to  work since she loses her great job at a tea shop. She wants to support her family again because she was the only one who was working. 

After going through the options of working at a chicken fast food restaurant and working as a stripper she finally decides to try for the job of taking care of a quadriplegic, even though she was afraid that she would have to wipe butts.

She ends up getting the job and all she has to do is keep Will happy. Easy right? Wrong. 

Will has lived every moment of his life to the fullest until his accident. He doesn't regret anything he ever did but he was a man who wanted to live more and here comes along a woman who is actually satisfied with her boring, imperfect life and is responsible for giving him a reason to live.

On one hand, Lou is helping Will see a whole new perspective of life through his wheelchair and on the other hand, Will is trying his best to make Lou attain something in life. In a way you could say that while Will is bound to his chair physically, Lou is bound to her fear of unfamiliarity which restrains both of them from gaining more than what they actually can.

Also it's funny how two people see things in a completely different perspective. While I thought that Will was more like a gentleman, Beez considered him more of an arse (a good arse of course) 

I just love how funny the whole book is. The sarcasm and the extent to which we can relate to almost everything that happens in the book is just wonderful. It's like a bonus to the awesome plot of the story. I can't imagine anyone not liking this book. The immaturity of Lou is hilarious and the sibling rivalry is expressed perfectly.

There is no part that I can mention in particular because there are many tiny and special moments that I cherished. Like Beez said, it's those little moments that make this book amazing. Another thing that separates this book from all the other ones out there is the "This is life not fiction" feel of it. Half of the time I expected Will to get up from his wheely and hold Lou tight but of course nothing like that happens in real life. 

Now about the ending, I wouldn't want it to change no matter what. Even though I laid the book aside and cried my eyes out into the pillow, I still wouldn't want the ending to change. It's just another specialty of this book. It's got one of the most perfect ending in the history of perfect fiction endings. 

Usually, no matter how much I love fangirling about a book, I won't read it again unless required but this book... I won't mind opening this book on any cold, rainy day with hot chocolate and tissues. In fact if anyone asks me for a good book I will smack their face with this one and force them to read it. Yes, it is THAT good.

I would gladly rate it a 5. 

Lots of love & Pasta,

Raven

Here's a few of our favourite quotes:

‘I just . . . want to be a man who has been to a concert with a girl in a red dress. Just for a few minutes more.’
"It has been, the best six months of my entire life."

"Funnily enough, Clark, mine too." 
“I will never, ever regret the things I've done. Because most days, all you have are places in your memory that you can go to.” 

“... if you're going to wear a dress like that you need to wear it with confidence. You need to fill it out mentally as well as physically.” 
“There are normal hours, and then there are invalid hours, where time stalls and slips, where life---real life---seems to exist at one remove.” 
“It's complicated.'

'So's quantitative easing. But I still get that it means printing money.” 
“How could you live each day knowing that you were simply whiling away the days until your own death?” 

Yeah! Cinco!!

And here is our Dream Cast for this beautiful book!

Hugh Dancy as Will, Zooey Deschanel as Louisa, Ginifer gooodwin as Treena, Eric winters as Patrick, Hayden Christensen as Nathan

Beez: The power of six (Lorien Legacies#2)

Pittacus Lore

I've seen him on the news. Followed the stories about what happened in Ohio. John Smith, out there, on the run. To the world, he's a mystery. But to me . . . he's one of us.

Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us—if we all still believe in our mission. How can I know? There are six of us left. We're hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another . . . but our Legacies are developing, and soon we'll be equipped to fight. Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I've been waiting for? And what about Number Five and Six? Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams? The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine? The girl who may be strong enough to bring the six of us together?

They caught Number One in Malaysia.

Number Two in England.

And Number Three in Kenya.

They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio—and failed.

I am Number Seven. One of six still alive.

And I'm ready to fight.

This book is the sequel to I am number four, which i ever read. I have seen the movie which is awesome with Alex Pettyfer (swoon). I tried to read the first k but i nver found a proper ebook and it started out boring. As i the plot was good but the writing wasn't great. I liked the movie wayy better.

This book was quite better. I felt thouruly engrossed and thriller especially because of the action parts. I fell more in love with Six and Nine. Fur kida irritated me i this one. I also liked Sam. Cntrary to what people say that he is a waste of space, i feelthat smeone like him is definately eeded. 

What i quite liked about this bok waa the styleof writing. I liked how he switched between the view points of Marina and John.

Lets review:

Now that the school has blow up John, Sam ad Number Six are on the run from the mogdorians and the FBI. While on the other part of the world, we see Marina, Number Seven who is desperately trying to find out her identity no thanks to her cepan. John and company face a few problems, blow up a few planes, train with six which always result in them being beaten by six and keep searching for something. 

Marina is trying to find out about the rest of the garde while trying to wake her cepan and tell her more. 

There are super fun fights and exciting parts in this book. I for one, don't like the romance between Six and Four. I liked Sara and even though after this book less so, i want Sam with Six. 

I felt the characters in this book were being especially stupid and careless. Just like in Switched, there is so much they can do, yet they don't. And more of my anger is directed at four. He's some sort of leader but he doesn't deserve to be one and he makes such stupid decisions. I was really pissed at him. 

Though i sympathized with Marina i felt that she could have doe soo much more earlier. Also i completely disliked her cepan who is a a bag of useless bones. Also i don't quite understand that how so suddenly she just changes her mind in the end of the book ad starts finally heliong Marina. I mean, hello she was there all your life, what were u doing then??

Lets discuss the terrible love triangle here- Four, Six and Sara.

Really? Soo stupid.

If the author wanted to make two garde fall in love, then why on earth did he introduce Sara in there first book. And if John loves Sara, why is he falling for Six? Who Sam his bff like btw. 

This was one of the most terrible triangles ever and i hated John when he liked Six but after the Sara incident my thoughts had become more to 'i'll allow it'.

But really, why??

I ship Sam and Six all the way.

Best part in this book-

the fighting.

Honestly, it was cool. With all those super powers, especially Nine's, i was enjoying.

BAM BAM POW!!

Thats all for this review. 

I'll say this i liked this book very much until i read this review and all its flaws suddenly came to me. Honestly this review is amazing and soo good. A definite read even if  haven't read the book or plan to.

Status of the garde members:

Number Four: John – Resistant to fire, telekinesis, lumen (Cepan: Henri – dead) (Lara and Liren – Four’s parents)
Number Five: ???
Number Six: Maren Elizabeth – Invisibility, telekinesis, change weather (Cepan: Karatrina – dead)
Number Seven: Marina – Breathe under water, telekinesis, can undo damage inflicted on those who don’t deserve it, heals others and herself, nocturnal vision (Cepan: Adeline – dead)
Number Eight: ???
Number Nine: No Name Yet – Xray vision, antigravity, superior hearing, can transfer powers (Cepan: ??? – captured, assumed dead)
Number Ten: Ella – Can change her age (Cepan: Crayton – alive)

I don't think i can give it more than a 3..
Nice read and all but....

Lots of love and mashed potatoes with sour cream

Beez.

Raven: The Demigod Diaries (The Heroes of Olympus)

A collection of short stories and games by Rick Riordan

Publication Date: January 1st, 2012
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Pages: 242
Targeted Audience: Teenagers who need more of Percabeth

Summary: What dangers do runaway demigods Luke and Thalia face on their way to Camp Half-Blood? Are Percy and Annabeth up to the task of rescuing stolen goods from a fire-breathing giant who doesn't take kindly to intruders? How exactly are Leo, Piper, and Jason supposed to find a runaway table, dodge a band of party-loving Maenads (who just might be a little psychotic), and stave off a massive explosion... all in one hour or less? 
With his trademark wit and creativity, Rick Riordan answers these questions and more in three never-before-seen short stories that provide vital back-story to the Heroes of Olympus and Percy Jackson books. Original art, enlightening character interviews and profiles, puzzles, and a quiz add to the fun in this action-packed collection.

*A story from Luke Castellan's point of view, from the days when he adventured with Thalia and Annabeth. Many people have asked me to write an adventure prequel to The Lightning Thief. Here it is!

*A classic first-person Percy Jackson story, the first I've written since The Last Olympian. In this adventure, Annabeth and Percy's date is interrupted by the god Hermes, whose staff has been stolen by a fire-breathing giant. This cannot be good . . .

*A Leo Valdez story, set at Camp Half-Blood. As Leo builds the Argo II, something goes terribly wrong. Now Leo will need the help of Piper and Jason, or the entire camp might be destroyed.

*And, as announced on Rock Center, the anthology includes a debut short story from my son Haley. Since Haley inspired the entire Percy Jackson series, it seemed only right that I asked him to contribute his own original spin on Percy's world for this book. I was amazed at what Haley came up with. His brother Patrick, who's a tough editor, was quick to say, "Dad, his story is better than yours!" Haley ponders the question: "What happened to the demigods who fought with Kronos's army after the battle in Manhattan?" This is the story of one such demigod, and I have to admit, some of Haley's ideas are so good I wish I'd come up with them!

Before dwelling into my rant about the four awesome short stories I'm just going to mention that this book has puzzles, quizzes and images of the characters. Ok, so now the rant.

I almost died when I read the first story of Luke and Thalia and how they fight an unbeatable creatures called Leucrotae. It was so different than his other book plots that I loved it even more. It shows us that Luke had seen how cruel Gods were to their kids. In this, it's Apollo's son Halcyon Green and his horrible curse. It was an insightful back story. And it also shows how they met Annabeth. *looks up into the sky with glittering eyes* She must have been soooo cute! A tiny rebel!

Plus when I began reading the part with loads of Percabeth in it... I hyperventilated to death. THEY WERE ON A DATE!! Finally! In the Heroes of Olympus series we were just told that they were dating but in this book there was a part of their date! AAAAAAH! I read it a few weeks ago and I'm still feeling so excited typing it!

It was so cute how Percy wanted to be the best boyfriend to Annabeth. But since he forgot that it was the one month anniversary of the day they first kissed... yup, he was in trouble. But just then Hermes comes to the rescue! kind of. Hermes lost his staff and he was afraid that he will be ridiculed and mocked for the rest of his life by the other Gods if they found out and so he turns to Percabeth to help. The fight between Percy, Annabeth and the giant Cacus was an awesome but equally hilarious fight.

[Cacus was the one who stole George and Martha, who slither across the staff of Hermes or his caduceus, whatever]

But of course Percy and Annabeth did celebrate their anniversary at the end of the day.

The next story is about Leo's Buford problem while making the spanking hot Argo 2. If you have read Mark of Athena, you would know who Buford is... It's a table that walks and runs. And in this short story Buford ran away cause' Leo cleaned him with Windex. I swear I could not stop laughing when I read this part. This particular short story among all was the most hilarious. Jason, Leo and Piper try finding Buford but end up meeting the Maenads-Dionysus fanclub, who happen to eat the people they party with. 

The last story is written by Rick Riordan's son Haley. It's called the Son of Magic and it is the back story of what happened to the ones who fought for Kronos. It's a really sad story. I felt bad for those who fought against the demigods. Specially Alabaster (who is the Son of magic referred to), son of Hecate. I also loved Dr. Claymore. It is how any normal, practical human would behave if exposed to some other worldly stuff but he had enough sense to accept it by the end.

I was truly shocked by the time I finished this short story. It was amazing how his son was able to write like a pro. I guess writing runs in his family genes now. But I hope his son doesn't end up torturing his fans to death with cliffhangers like how Rick Riordan does. That would be horrible. 

I guess all writers kids are awesome. Here is Haley Riordan and then there's Jodi Picoult's daughter Samantha Van Leer who wrote "Between the Lines" [Link of the review here ]

So this is all I have to say, I rate this book a five! Isn't it obvious why? A must read for all those Percabeth fans and Leo Valdez Fanclub members!

Lots of Love & Pasta

Raven