Book Review: Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives,

Disclaimer: I received this book free from Birchbox for their Birchblogger book club.

I don't remember exactly when I received the book, but I do think I tried to start reading it a few times before I finally put my brain to it and started reading in June. I got pretty into it and was reading fairly consistently, until I wasn't. Life got really busy (new puppy, bought a house, life itself) so the reading dwindled. And finally, yesterday, I finished it. Oh what a sweet relief to finish a book.

As far as the book was concerned, it was only OK to me. I definitely had a struggle to finish it the more I read through it. The text just seemed to get a little repetitive. I think the information was well presented and very thorough.

If I could have made a change to the text, I think that once I had laid out the 4 tendencies, I would have then broken the rest of the book down by those tendencies and how habit forming works best for them. As an "obliger" (according to the mini test at the back), I don't really care about how Rebels and Questioners and the 4th category (Which I can't remember the name) form habits. If I needed to interact with them to form a habit, then I would indulge in that section.

If you're interested in reading this, click here for the author's page about the book.

I'm not a huge fan of Self Help books. I feel they're not quite as helpful to me as they may be to others. While I did highlight a few things in the book, I'm not sure it's one I'll be going back to read again and again.

I'm thankful for Birchbox to have been able to receive it and read it.

I know this is probably one of my less thought out reviews, but I just don't know what to say about a book I didn't love.

So I'll call this good here.

Until next time.

-S

Book Review: Four - Veronica Roth

After falling in love with the book Divergent, drooling over the attractive selection of Dauntless males in the movie adaptation I proceeded to buy the rest of the books in the trilogy and set them on my bookshelf to promptly read. Which didn't happen. Then I heard from some YouTube beauty guru who also enjoys literature (I forget now who) mentioned Veronica Roth wrote a book from Four's perspective of Divergent. On my next Target trip I made sure that book made it out the door in my grocery sack.

I had wanted to read it before the sequels to Divergent, but then remembered it had been a while since I had both read the book or seen the movie and decided  I needed a refresher of the plot line before reading Four's take on it all. 

Come to find out it's a collection of stories, the majority centering on his transition from Tobias in the abusive Abnegation home of his father to his miraculous (As in there hasn't been a Stiff who made the switch to Dauntless in quite some time, if at all) first place finish as Four in the Dauntless initiate class when he turned 16. In the ending of the book (not including the extras) is a chapter where he interacts with Tris and we see his perspective of some events where she is involved. 

Four is as intelligent and deep as I thought while reading Divergent and Insurgent. His actions are calculated and have substantial backing to them. He's an intelligent character and it's great to see the beginnings of it. 

The chapters were broke up well and though consecutive were not back to back events. They provided a good snippet into Four's experiences in Dauntless and the explanation for why he does the things he does in Divergent. 

I wish other authors would do this for other protagonists in their story. Though I do understand that not all characters have as strong a connection with their authors as others. 

Until next time

-Samantha

Book Review: Insurgent - Veronica Roth

What a whirlwind this book was to read!

This was one of the most intense sequels I've ever read. The action and conflict in this book left me out of breath trying to keep up with it all. But in the best possible way.

Like the first book, this one too was full of vivid picture painting, so you knew exactly what the scenery was like at all times. I felt I was right there with Tris in the simulation rooms, climbing the steep stairs, and stepping over broken glass in the lobbies of faction headquarters.  The growing tension between the factions continues, and eventually sparks a reaction and the war against the Erudite-Dauntless takeover continues.

After the first book ends, and Tris realizes the loss of one of her friends (not naming names in case it'd be a spoiler) and deals with the repercussion, one of which is the fear and inability to handle a gun, adding a very interesting plot twist to a war between the factions: how can you win as one of the figureheads if you cannot defend yourself? Other interesting points are brought up: the "girlfriend" of the deceased male is upset to learn Tris is the one who killed him in his simulation stupor, and she isn't sure how to act around Tris, enemies seem to become allies when the loss or gain of information is on the line and the question stands: trust or not to trust. 

Veronica Roth is a talented writer and I look forward to reading more by her.  I thoroughly enjoy the way she weaves words to portray the ideas. :)

Until next time

-Samantha

Book Review: Divergent - Veronica Roth

I had read this book prior to blogging, but never made it to the second or third book in the Trilogy. With Insurgent set to release March of next year, I decided I should probably finish reading the series. 

My copy is a little worn on the edges, as it's survived two readings and a traveling expedition through the cargo area of a plane.

Rereading the book I can see how different it is from the movie Hollywood made, but isn't that usually the case?

I really enjoyed the way Tris's mind is written and the commitment behind her actions. She is certain of her decisions, even if it seems she shouldn't be. The progression of hesitant abnegation to confident Divergent is a tale told well.

Though the story is told exclusively from her point of view, the way the other characters have been written allow us a glimpse into their minds. It's the way they way they interact with Tris, and her reaction to them, that also reveals what they're about. It's a well written introduction to the characters so that we can stand behind them, or learn to dislike them. It also builds up the climax to the conflict that is sure to follow in the sequel 'Insurgent'.

The description about all the characters, locations and buildings portray a wonderfully vivid picture. The words paint the scenery well that I too feel I've gone through the Dauntless initiate process, minus the impact of the fighting. 

Though a "post apocalyptic"/dystopian novel starting a strong female lead like Hunger Games, they are different enough elsewhere that reading one does not eliminate the need to read the other. Personal preference alone, I prefer Tris and what was the city of Chicago to Katniss and what could have been the United States.

One nice feature about the book itself, is the fact that though very chunky as a text, it's light and easy to handle whilst reading. If you have read the Harry Potter series, you'll know those books hold a little bit of weight to them. This book on the other hand is almost as light as a feather. 

Book Review: Dark Places - Gillian Flynn

Dark Places was one of the three books I received complimentary of birchbox through their birchbloggers book club program. Having better expectations for this book after liking Sharp Objects, it didn't take me long to tear through it.

 

After finishing it, I can say that the book moved slower than SO. The book is broken up based on different character's perspective: Libby, the only surviving daughter; Patty, the mother's perspective from the night of; and Ben, the suspected and convicted killer who everyone is trying to prove innocent, and at the end a very brief chapter of the killer's rationale for the night (I can neither confirm nor deny that Ben is or is not the killer). Like I mentioned in my review of The Help, it's more difficult for me to get through a story when it's told from different characters. Unlike The Help, however, this book switched between flashbacks of Ben and Patty, to present day view of Libby.

Libby's perspective was the most prevalent throughout the book. I found myself going back and forth with liking her as the narrator, and dislike her thinking she may have partaken in the killing. She is a disturbed klepto character trying to unravel the mystery of what happened the night her mother and two sisters were murdered. It leads her to some interesting locations included an area of strip clubs at a trucker stop and a hazardous homeless camp likened to Hooverville. There's also Satanic practices that some of the characters take part in, which is an interesting idea because it is one I know nothing about.

The amount of gruesome detail Gillian Flynn puts into this novel is so exquisite, it made my stomach turn over. Her word choices are on point. The research for this novel is extensive and I do give the author props for writing what may be perceived as a controversial topic. But controversial makes the for the most interesting material.

Ranking these novels I'd put SO first, then DP and finally GG. Thank you to birchbox for the opportunity to read these novels.

If you want to follow brief ratings and reviews on books, you should look for me on Good Reads (link opens in new window). It's a great way to track books in your life: Books you've read, want to read and are currently reading. 

Until next time,

-Samantha