"Sweetness" by Christy Jordan | Cookbook Review

Publishing Date: November 8, 2016
Publisher: Workman Publishing Company
Pages: 304
Links: Goodreads | Indigo | Book Depository | Amazon | Kobo

"A celebration of sweetness in all forms - sweet foods, sweet memories, sweet blessings, and a sweet life - in recipes by Christy Jordan of Southern Plate."

Whether you have a natural sweet tooth or just occasionally need something sweet to satisfy a craving, we all have a place in our homes - well, in our stomachs - for a little sweetness.

Christy Jordan's new cookbook Sweetness has plenty of recipes that would help fill that place in an instant.

From cakes to cookies to milkshakes and beyond, you're bound to find something you're itching to make. As I was going through the recipes, I found myself so excited at all the possibilities of what I could make! Everything looks and sounds so delicious.

But when I came to one particular recipe, I knew I couldn't pass it up: Funnel Cake. You know, that delicious doughey concoction they serve at amusement parks and special events? How could I pass up an opportunity - or, excuse? - to make this in my very own home.

Funnel Cake (p.208)

To my pleasant surprise, Funnel Cake is incredibly easy to make. It involves a few ingredients, all of which are common and can easily be found at your local grocery store or, if you bake with any regularity, probably just in your pantry.

It took a bit of trial and error to get the cooking time just right - neither under- nor over-cooked - but by the end I was pretty darn good if I say so myself.

You can put whatever you want on top, but I used whipped cream and fresh strawberries, which made for an absolutely scrumptious treat, let me tell you. When I posted the above picture on my Facebook, there were calls for me to host a Funnel Cake party.

While I was very happy with how that recipe turned out, I should also mention that I tried another recipe that didn't go quite so well. I made S'Mores Muffins, which sounded great - chocolate and marshmallows, what could go wrong? But unfortunately, I found them very bland and won't be making them again.

All in all, this is a really cool cookbook. There's a huge variety of desserts and tasty treats to choose from, and most seem to be pretty straightforward. I definitely recommend picking this one up if you're looking for some sweet Southern recipes.

*I received a NetGalley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"From Junk Food to Joy Food" by Joy Bauer | Cookbook Review

From Junk Food to Joy Food by Joy Bauer

Publishing Date: February 23, 2016
Publisher: Hay House, Inc.
Pages: 276
Links: Goodreads | Indigo | Book Depository | Amazon | Kobo

What if you could eat all the food you love - burgers, pasta, desserts - without the bloating and negative effects? In From Junk Food to Joy Food, Joy Bauer shows us how, with a few tweaks, we can turn our favourite comfort foods into healthy meals.

I'm always looking for healthier foods to make and eat, so when I read about this cookbook, I was so excited! Who doesn't want their favourite food to be healthier?

This book is full of a wide range of recipes, so there's sure to be something in it for everyone. It varies from starters and main courses to desserts and drinks. All the way through, we're met with helpful tips as well!

Now, let's see which recipes I made!

I was still having issues with my phone during the time when I made these recipes, so you'll once again have to endure my not-so-pretty Snapchat pictures - pictures should be back to normal for the next post!

There were so many recipes that I wanted to try, and I had a really hard time narrowing it down to three...so I did four. The first things I made were Chocolate Crunch Bars (p.196). These are basically chocolate-covered Rice Krispies and oh. my. god. I loved these. I like my chocolate to have a little texture and crunch to it, and this is the perfect treat for someone like me. Plus, they're incredibly easy to make!

Next up was a good ole classic - General Joy's Chicken (p.144), which is a variation of the more well-known General Tso's Chicken. This was a really tasty meal and it went quickly in my house. I had a hard time thickening the sauce so it was a bit runny, but throw it over some rice and problem solved.

After that, I ventured into hot territory - I made Jalapeno Poppers (p.36). These are well-loved at my house on special occasions - let's be real, if we were allowed to have these on any other occasions, they'd be well-loved then, too - so when I saw these in the cookbook, I knew I needed to try them. They were delicious and disappeared very quickly.

For my final recipe, I tried the Frozen Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cups (p.202). These were an interesting and heavenly alternative to regular peanut butter cups. Banana fans will surely agree with me on this one!

All in all, this cookbook is chock full of recipes of the foods you already love, tweaked so that they're healthier. There's a wide range of foods that are sure to appeal to even the pickiest of eaters. You can't go wrong with this one!

*I received a NetGalley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"101 One-Dish Dinners" by Andrea Chesman | Cookbook Review

101 One-Dish Dinners by Andrea Chesman

Publishing Date: September 20, 2016
Publisher: Storey Publishing
Pages: 192
Links: Goodreads | Indigo | Book Depository | Amazon | Kobo

We all love comfort food. Whether, to you, that means soup or mac and cheese or ice cream, there's always a place for comfort food at the table. 101 One-Dish Dinners aims to put these recipes into our hands - and stomachs - by showing us that they can be pretty simple to make.

The book starts with a brief history of one-dish dinners, as well as some tips and advice for cooking and cookware.

Full of recipes both familiar and new to me, I would definitely say this cookbook is accessible to a wide range of people. Whether you want to learn recipes from other cultures or you just want to make a simple meal, or whether you're skilled in the kitchen or...just want to make a simple meal, there's something in here for you.

When I was looking through the recipes, I noticed that most of the ingredients are pretty standard and easy to find at a local grocery store. To me, that's important in a cookbook because it's nice to be able to make delicious food without breaking the bank or going on a trek to find obscure ingredients.

My one criticism of the book is that 2 of the 3 recipes I tried were not one-dish dinners. The soup used a couple of pans (which I'm not complaining about, just, it's not one dish) and the casserole required several pots and pans. I wouldn't quite call them one-dish dinners, even though they were fairly straightforward to make - I was expecting something simpler based on the title of the book.

Clockwise from left: Stovetop Mac 'n' Cheese with Ham
 & Peas (p.116); Caldo Verde (p.50); Pastitsio (p.145)

On to the food!

The first thing I made from this book was the Stovetop Mac 'n' Cheese with Ham & Peas (p.116). It was super simple and easy to make, and it's a good way of getting some greens and protein into you. I didn't have any ham at home, so it ended up being a vegetarian version of the recipe, but ham could only make it tastier. I also tossed in some leftover broccoli, which was delish. The mac 'n' cheese is a little dry, so I'd suggest using a little more milk and cheese.

The second recipe I made was Caldo Verde (p.50), which is literally "green soup" in Portuguese. Being a half-Portuguese family, everyone in my house was super excited about this one, given that we love my grandma's version. There were a couple of things I did wrong, so I endured some light ribbing (all in good fun) from my Portuguese mother and the rest of my family ("What happened?"), but overall, I'd say it's a great recipe. It ain't pretty, but it's so incredibly tasty. Everyone who tried it absolutely loves it, and I'd say it's a big success in my house!

The last thing I made was Pastitsio (p.145), which is described as a Greek mac and cheese. This was probably the most popular thing I made from the book, as I made it late last night and it's nearly 2/3 of the way gone already. It was also the most complicated - this is the recipe that used multiple pots and pans, and it was also time-consuming. I won't be making it for a while because it was a lot of work, but I do think it's worth the effort!

All in all, this is a great cookbook if you're looking for some fairly easy, very delicious recipes.

*I received a NetGalley copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Blog Tour: "Darktown" by Thomas Mullen | Book Review

Hi everyone! Welcome to this stop on the Darktown blog tour! This is my first ever blog tour, so I'm super excited to be writing to you about a book I really loved. At the end of this post there'll be a 1940s playlist, put together by the lovely people over at Simon & Schuster Canada, which I highly recommend you give a listen while reading the book (I've been listening to it on loop - I love 40s music!). Also, be sure to check out the other stops on this tour - which are shown below - for some cool extras!

Darktown by Thomas Mullen

Publishing Date: September 13, 2016
Publisher: Atria Books
Pages: 384
Links: Goodreads | Indigo | Book Depository | Amazon | Kobo

From Goodreads:

"Responding from pressure on high, the Atlanta police department is forced to hire its first black officers in 1948. The newly minted policemen are met with deep hostility by their white peers and their authority is limited: They can’t arrest white suspects; they can’t drive a squad car; they can’t even use the police headquarters and must instead operate out of the basement of a gym.

When a black woman who was last seen in a car driven by a white man turns up fatally beaten, no one seems to care except for Boggs and Smith, two black cops from vastly different backgrounds. Pressured from all sides, they will risk their jobs, the trust the community has put in them, and even their own safety to investigate her death. Their efforts bring them up against an old-school cop, Dunlow, who has long run the neighborhood like his own, and Dunlow’s young partner, Rakestraw, a young progressive who may or may not be willing to make allies across color lines."

This is a fantastic read. It's a compelling story about a murder and the racial tensions surrounding it in 1940s Atlanta. It's about what happens when the black officers try to do the job they were hired to do, without the constraints the white officers have put on them. It's incredible and eye-opening to read a story about cops who aren't publicly allowed to do their jobs - all because of the colour of their skin. They have the title of "Police Officer", but when they try to flag down a white officer to help them make an arrest, instead of help they nearly get run over as the white officers yell racial slurs and laugh. Not even the Records lady wants to help them when they request information.

The characters were fascinating. The main characters felt so well-rounded and full of life to me, and it was interesting to read their different perspectives. Boggs and Smith, both of whom have pride in their jobs and want to actually be able to help, go through and deal with so much over the course of this story. They're faced with the choice of obeying the rules black cops were bound by and not doing anything about the murder, or doing the right thing, the job they as human beings should be allowed to do. As I mentioned earlier, it was eye-opening to read about the horrible racism and injustice they faced every single day.

Rakestraw was also an interesting perspective because you can tell that he's uncomfortable with the way his partner, Dunlow, treats the African American people they encounter, and yet for a long time he cowers, not wanting to mess with his comfortable position among his fellow white officers. On one hand, seeing the awful ways in which the white cops treat black people, you can sort of understand being afraid to disrupt the status quo - but nonetheless, it was frustrating to read about Rake wanting to step in and stop the racism and brutality, and then doing nothing. It was a real relief when he decided to help Boggs and Smith with their investigation.

The city of Atlanta itself seems like a character - the way Mullen creates the atmosphere of 1940s Atlanta really brings the place to life, and the whole time, I felt like I was there. I could feel the thick, muggy heat - it, like the tension, was palpable.

This book is incredibly uncomfortable at times. It can be jarring to read or even think about how cruel humans can be to each other and how terribly prejudiced someone can be toward another simply because of the colour of their skin. The depth of injustice and of corruption in the police force back then is almost unimaginable, and Mullen does a great job of interweaving these tensions with a compelling murder mystery.

Now, while you go read this awesome book, be sure to check out this Darktown-inspired playlist:

*This book was kindly sent to me by Simon & Schuster Canada in exchange for an honest review.

"Clean Soups" by Rebecca Katz | Cookbook Review

Clean Soups by Rebecca Katz

Publishing Date: September 6, 2016
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Pages: 160
Links: Goodreads | Indigo | Book Depository | Amazon | Kobo

Rebecca Katz grew up watching in wonder as her mother and grandmother conjured up delicious soups. While working at the Commonweal Retreat Center in Bolinas, California, she realized just how healing nutritious soups could be; people who previously were barely able to eat would return again and again for a taste of her soup.

The recipes within this book can be made for a variety of purposes. If you want to start incorporating soup into your regular diet because of its nutrient-rich, easily-digestible properties, this is your book. On the other hand, you might be interested in trying a brief soup cleanse because of its detoxifying effects on the organs; in that case, this is also your book.

I love that at the beginning of the recipes, there's background information and a short history of the dish, including where it originated from, as well as what it's been said to treat and heal. I love that as you're cooking up a delicious meal, you can learn a bit of history so that you're knowledgeable on what exactly you're eating. Another thing I really appreciate about this book is the fact that it has such useful "Cook's Notes" - if you're ever in doubt about anything, your questions are usually answered within these notes.

My one criticism of the book is that there's too much back and forth for me. For many of the recipes, they require you to also make a recipe (usually some type of stock or garnish) from elsewhere in the book. Generally, I'm not a fan of making multiple things for one dish - when I'm making a recipe, I usually want to be making one recipe, not multiple. That said, none of the recipes I tried were particularly difficult.

Clockwise from left: Simplest Chicken Pho (p.108); 
Greek Cucumber Yogurt Soup (p.52); Mulligatawny (p.95)

Now, let's get into what I made!

The first thing I made from this cookbook is something I don't have much experience with: Pho. I'd tried Pho exactly one time before I made this and I knew I liked it, so I thought it'd be a good idea to try and find myself a good recipe for this tasty Vietnamese soup. And let me tell you, the Simplest Chicken Pho recipe (p.108) is so. freaking. flavourful. I don't have much to compare it to, but I'd definitely say this is the best Pho I've had. I made it for a get-together and everyone flocked to it and complimented me for it, so it's not just me who liked it - I highly recommend this one!

For that same get-together, I made Mulligatawny (p.95), which is an Indian soup. It didn't get as much love because everyone wanted Pho, but those who tried this liked it. I thought it was really tasty and if you're in the mood for Indian food but you're maybe not feeling the best, hey, soup is great for that kind of a day, so Mulligatawny's got you covered.

The Greek Cucumber Yogurt Soup (p.52) & Avocado and Cucumber Salsa (p.132) is a cold soup that reminds me of Tzatziki sauce, which I'm obsessed with. Out of the soups I made, this was definitely the easiest because you stick all the ingredients in a blender and simply whirl away.

Clean Soups is all about the healing power of soup. The recipes are super healthy, nutritious, and let's not forget - absolutely delicious.

*I received a NetGalley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

"Easy. Whole. Vegan." by Melissa King | Cookbook Review

Easy. Whole. Vegan. by Melissa King

Publishing Date: September 6, 2016
Publisher: The Experiment
Pages: 224
Links: Goodreads | Indigo | Book Depository | Amazon | Kobo

Melissa King was vegetarian for a long time before she became vegan and gluten-free, and the lifestyle permeates much of her life. The writer, photographer, and recipe developer for the blog My Whole Food Life, who is also a wife and mother, decided to switch to a plant-based, whole-food diet when a nutritionist suggested it could help her daughter, who had a host of serious medical issues. The new diet transformed her daughter and her family and now they swear by whole foods.

I've heard so many stories like Melissa's, about how embracing a vegan or plant-based diet has cured people of their ailments. It seems that natural foods, sans added chemicals and hormones, are best for us! Who would've guessed. Although I'm not vegan myself, I like to eat mostly vegetarian and vegan foods, and I find that I feel best when I eat plant-based foods. So I'm always excited to try new vegan recipes and cookbooks!

After we learn Melissa's family's story, she walks us through some common ingredients in a vegan pantry. I always find these sections useful because a vegan kitchen by nature has different staples than a "regular" kitchen does. One important distinction is that vegans need egg substitutes when baking! And did you know there are several ways to substitute an egg, including with chia and flax seeds?

I made a few recipes from the cookbook and the first one I want to mention is the Blueberry Muffin Smoothie (p.198), because it is SO GOOD. *Ahem* So. Good. I'm definitely a smoothie lover, but this is by far one of the best smoothies I've ever had. It feels like a hearty breakfast smoothie with just the right amount of sweetness. And I can't get over the shade of purple it was - the picture doesn't even do it justice. This is going to be a staple in my diet from now on.

Clockwise from top left: Maple Vanilla Bakes Oatmeal
Squares (p.33); Avocado and Chickpea-Stuffed Cucumbers
 (p.66); Caramelized Onion Soup (p.89); Blueberry Muffin
Smoothie (p.198)

The Maple Vanilla Baked Oatmeal Squares (p.33) were up next. I was excited to try these because based on their appearance, I thought they'd be granola bars, but they actually weren't. That would've been fine, but I found the texture really strange - I'm not really sure how to describe it, but I guess I'd say it was kind of soft and kind of like hard foam. That said, I know some vegan recipes take some adjusting to because they don't always use common ingredients. And these squares do taste good and would be great for on-the-go snacking!

I made the Avocado and Chickpea-Stuffed Cucumbers (p.66) as an appetizer for a get-together, and let me tell you, they went fast! These little bites pack a refreshing punch and are perfect for the summer weather we've been having.

The final recipe I made was the Caramelized Onion Soup (p.89). It was incredibly easy to make, as you just chop up your onions and gather a few other ingredients and then stick everything in a crock pot for a few hours. I found it nice though a bit bland, however, so I recommend using some pepper if you feel the same way. Since I'm not vegan, my quick fix was to eat it the traditional way, with some bread and melted cheese on top, and I found that it was great that way.

Overall, this is a useful cookbook if you're interested in going vegan. It provides good information how to adjust your pantry's staples and you'll learn vegan alternatives to common animal products. I have mixed feelings about the recipes I tried, but there are plenty more delicious-sounding recipes in the book, and the recipes I did enjoy were ones I loved.

*I received a NetGalley copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

"Brave Enough" by Cheryl Strayed | Book Review

Brave Enough by Cheryl Strayed

Publishing Date: October 27, 2015

Pages: 135

Publisher: Knopf Canada

Links: Goodreads | Indigo | Kobo

Cheryl Strayed's books have been highly acclaimed: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail is a New York Times best seller, the first choice in Oprah's Book Club 2.0, and was adapted into an Oscar-nominated film; Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar is a national bestseller and has now been developed into a podcast. On top of this, she's also released her debut novel, Torch. Now, she's come out with a collection of quotes from her works, called Brave Enough.

I love quotes, but I've never actually had a book of quotes so this is a nice change for me. I haven't read any of Cheryl Strayed's books yet (although Wild is very high on my to-read list), so I didn't really know what to expect from a book of quotes by her. I did hope it would be motivational and inspirational – and it was.

In Brave Enough, you'll find a ton of wise quotes about life, love, and forgiveness. Some of these hit really close to home and left me teary-eyed, and some made me feel like I could do anything if I only put my mind to it or were willing to work for it. There were some that I didn't really identify with at this point in my life, but I think it's normal for one person to not identify with all of the statements in a collection of quotes – the ones that don't resonate with me could be the ones you identify with the most!

Cheryl's quotes involve compassion, tough love, empathy, bravery, and much more. Her words are sometimes funny and often comforting. She teaches us that life will never be perfect and we'll be terrified sometimes – we just have to try to be “brave enough.”

What's your favourite quote? Do you like books of quotes?

*This book was sent to me by Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review.

"A Long Way Down" Review | Movie Monday

*Trigger warning for suicide*

Martin (Pierce Brosnan), Maureen (Toni Collette), Jess (Imogen Poots), and JJ (Aaron Paul) meet on a rooftop on New Year's Eve. Each of them has come to commit suicide. Rather than jump, the unlikely foursome makes a pact to not kill themselves until Valentine's Day - six weeks from now.

This film deals heavily with suicide and depression, and shows four people - all from very different walks of life - and how their life experiences have affected them and led them all to the same rooftop.

I love this movie. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I love movies that make me cry. I think it's the mark of a good story if it can touch me emotionally, find a place deep down where I can relate to the characters' feelings and not only sympathize with them, but truly understand why they feel the way they do.

I found all four characters lovable in their own way. Martin is the bitter grump whose quips you can't help but enjoy; Maureen is reserved and has such a warm heart; Jess is loud-mouthed and a bit neurotic, just wanting someone to love and pay attention to her; and JJ is a very sweet, but utterly lost man. Each is portrayed brilliantly by the actors - I think the casting is perfect in this movie.

I think it's important to keep in mind that this is a work of fiction. A chance meeting of suicidal people on a rooftop wouldn't likely end well in real life. But this story is very hopeful and leaves the audience thinking that perhaps things do get better. Their friendship has by no means cured anyone of their depression, seeing as it's a chemical imbalance in the brain. But it made something twig in each of them, made them realize there might be a reason to keep going.

Another great thing about A Long Way Down is that it's based on a book, so you know I'll be reading that soon!

Our four protagonists have almost nothing in common aside from their suicidal thoughts. And yet, when they find each other on that roof, something changes. This is a very sweet, moving film about four people who find hope and love in the most unlikely place - each other.

"Guardians of the Galaxy" Review | Movie Monday

In 1988, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) was abducted from his home planet, Earth. Fast forward 26 years and Quill, aka Star-Lord, is a badass-leather-jacket-wearing Ravager searching for a highly sought-after orb. He quickly discovers that a very powerful person, Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace), is also looking for it. The motley crew - Quill, Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), and Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista) - must work together to stop Ronan from using the infinity stone to destroy the world as they know it.

I love this movie. It's absolutely in my top 4 Marvel movies, and within those 4 I'd have a very hard time picking a favourite.

I really liked most of the characters and could empathize with them and their back stories. It's very funny - the humour is so well-done by everyone, and it's great that there was some innocent humour and some not-so. I laughed at both. Hard.

Guardians is pretty accessible. It can stand alone and you don't need to have seen any of the other Marvel Universe films to understand what's going on, although there are a lot of Easter Eggs for fans who are more familiar with the Universe.

This film and its characters are very sweet. I think my favourite friendship was Rocket and Groot's because they really cared for and understood each other. Who knew I could care so much about a raccoon and a talking tree?

I like what they did with Quill and his cassette player. They really emphasized that he's human and grew up in the same society as many of the viewers, listening to the same songs and watching the same movies - he's like us. His attachment to the device is sometimes used as a comedic thing, but it's very clear that Peter's cassette player means a lot to him.

There are so many 80's references, it's wonderful. As I was growing up, my parents introduced me to "oldies" and songs they loved (much like what Quill's mom does for him in the film), which included stuff from the previous decade, the 80's, so I knew and loved a lot of the songs on the soundtrack and it made me so happy whenever I recognized one of those great songs.

This movie combines several things I love very much: humour, sci-fi, adventure, the 80's and Star-Lord's jacket (seriously, I want one).

I. Love. Marvel.

Image Credit: "Rocket Raccoon Statue" by Gage Skidmore via flickr in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.

"Shatter Me" | Book Review

"Shatter Me" Book Cover

Juliette's touch is fatal. The last time she touched someone was 264 days ago, when she accidentally murdered an innocent. The Reestablishment has locked her up and she's given up hope of living a normal life. In a cruel twist of fate, she's released and given a choice: use her curse as a weapon or rebel against the highest form of government she knows.

Tahereh Mafi is so good at building suspense. One moment, things are normal and the next, your heart's racing and you're almost on the edge of your seat from all the drama and action happening on the pages. Several scenes in Shatter Me are action-packed and thrilling!

As a protagonist, Juliette is very interesting to me. Her narrative voice is often poetic in a way, and I really enjoyed reading her thoughts and impressions on what is going on around her, for the most part. I say it that way because there were also many times where she was heavily doubting her self-worth and I honestly wanted to shake her and tell her something to the effect of, "you're worth more than this, don't be so hard on yourself!!"

The villain, Warner, is great because he's incredibly terrifying and creepy. Warner is obsessed with Juliette and wants her to help he and The Reestablishment fulfill their agenda - or more accurately, he wants her to want to. Yeah.

This is very much a romance novel, in my opinion. I think the focus for this novel, the first in a series, was the romantic relationship. The dystopian setting was discussed throughout the story, but I think more action will happen in the next novel, Unravel Me. I have conflicting feelings about the love story: on one hand, I really like Juliette and Adam together and I think they're well-suited to each other so far; on the other hand, it's a bit frustrating that she falls in love with the first guy she can touch without consequence.

A few pages into this book, I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it because of all the metaphors and generally flowery writing, but I was sucked into the story and didn't want to put it down. This is a great tale of the quintessential lovers in a dangerous time.

What dystopian YA novel or series do you recommend?

"Cinder" | Book Review

"Cinder" Book Cover

 Cinder is a fascinatingly futuristic re-imagining of the classic fairy tale, Cinderella. The title character is a cyborg working as a mechanic, but most of her earnings go to her cruel step-mother, who is very clear about her hatred for the girl. As a plague hits New Beijing and Cinder is tasked with fixing Prince Kai's beloved android, she quickly becomes entangled in intergalactic issues and must learn more about her mysterious past in order to protect the planet.

 I love this adaptation. It's so different from the original story in that it takes place in a future very different from what we know right now - the descriptions are so vivid that while I read this, I felt like I was in the future, experiencing and seeing everything Cinder was! It's also really fun to notice all the parallels as you progress through the story. Even the things that were changed from the original - like Cinder's cyborg foot instead of a glass slipper, and certain aspects of her relationship with her step-sisters - were done in a way that I felt suited this version of the story better.

I found Cinder herself to be an interesting character and an even better role model. She is self-reliant and self-sufficient, always wanting and willing to get things done on her own. She faces a lot of discrimination because her society frowns upon cyborgs - they are not seen as "whole". Because of this prejudice, she is often undeservedly hard on herself, but through all her troubles, she perseveres.

My only criticism is that there was a bit of insta-love between Cinder and Prince Kai. Having said that, I can forgive it in this case because this is an adaptation of Cinderella, after all.

I recommend this novel to anyone who is interested in a unique twist on fairy tales!

Read about the Marissa Meyer book signing I attended.

What's your favourite fairy tale?

"Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" | Book Review

"Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children"

Happy Friday the 13th!

I'd been wanting to read Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children for almost two years, but for one reason or another, I never got around to it; that is, until a couple of weeks ago!

Written by Ransom Riggs (how cool is that name? I love alliteration), Miss Peregrine tells the story of Jacob Portman, a 16-year-old boy who grew up being told fantastical stories by his grandfather, Abe, but who has now lost his faith in the stories and characters. That all changes one fateful night when Jacob's grandfather is brutally murdered by a creature that Jacob glimpses in the woods. Jacob sets off to Wales to find out the truth behind his grandfather's strange tales.

Although I'd wanted to read this for a long time, I hadn't read any reviews or heard anything about the book, other than "it's intriguing" because of its pictures - which is certainly true. Because of this, I didn't really know what to expect, but I though it'd probably be some kind of supernatural story, based on the levitating girl on the cover. As it turns out, this story is a blend of fantasy and sci-fi, specifically of the time travel variety - and who doesn't like a good tale of time travel?

At the beginning of the novel, I didn't like the protagonist. I found Jacob to be irritating and insufferable. But he grew on me once he became more independent and on his own, started to look into the mysteries surrounding his grandfather's life and death.

The pictures were very cool and definitely added to the eerie feeling of the story. There were some freaky photos in the book, including one of Santa Claus that is nightmare-inducing.

Despite disliking Jacob for the first few chapters, I really enjoyed Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. The story itself is not revolutionary or anything, but it's a fun read, especially if you're interested in odd, fantastical stories and characters with strange abilities.

What's the strangest book you've ever read?

"The Apparition" Review | Movie Monday

"The Apparition" DVD cover

Four college students attempt to recreate the 1973 "Charles Experiment", where a group of people concentrated on a drawing of a man named Charles Reamer in an attempt to summon his spirit. Using modern technology to magnify the parapsychological study's effects, Patrick (Tom Felton) and his team delve into the dangerous world of the paranormal and they summon more than they bargained for. Now Ben (Sebastian Stan), one of the participants in the study, and his girlfriend Kelly (Ashley Greene) are being haunted by the very thing that was summoned that night.

The beginning of this movie is incredibly awkward - but if you get through the first 15 minutes, you'll probably get through the whole movie. The set-up for the couple's story is so cheesy and unnatural; I think it's a combination of bad writing and directing, which is a shame because I like both Sebastian Stan and Ashley Greene and I know they're better than they seem at the beginning of this film.

The good news is, no part of this film is worse than the first 15 minutes. Once creepy things start happening around the house, the film improves. There was a good build-up of suspense with the mysteriously open doors and nerve-wracking "break-ins" at night.

This movie is pretty creepy if you watch it at night like I did, so if you enjoy being scared, I recommend viewing it in the dark. This is by no means a fantastic horror/thriller movie, but it's entertaining and good for a one-time watch, especially if you're with friends who are easily frightened.

"The Fault in Our Stars" | Movie Review

Expect tears. That's the first thing I want to say about this movie. But if you've read John Green's novel of the same name, you already know what a sob-fest you're in for.

I'm really impressed with The Fault in Our Stars. It is a truly moving story of two teens who are in love, and how their lives have been and continue to be affected by cancer.

I think the cast did a beautiful job of portraying this very sad, very sweet story. Shailene Woodley makes me love Hazel even more than I did before, and Ansel Elgort IS Augustus. Personally, I think they were both perfect in their respective roles.

Fans of the novel are probably concerned about how well the film adaptation presents the original novel's sentiments and quirks. Fear not, because this film is very true to the novel. I'm so glad they were able to keep the scenes and lines that we, as fans, have come to love so much. The cast and crew truly brought the novel to life in front of our eyes.

If you're a fan of the novel, I think you'll be very impressed with The Fault in Our Stars as a film adaptation. If you haven't read the novel, I absolutely recommend reading it and watching this film. Hazel and Augustus' story is one of reality, love, and above all, hope.

You can read my review of the novel here.

"The Fault in Our Stars" | Book Review

"TFiOS" book cover

The Fault in Our Stars, written by heartstring-tugger extraordinaire John Green, follows Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16-year-old girl with stage 4 Thyroid cancer with metastis forming in her lungs. After her mother forces her to attend weekly support group meetings, Hazel meets Augustus Waters, an intelligent, very attractive 17-year-old boy in remission from Osteosarcoma. Although Hazel fights it at first, the two fall in love and develop a relationship that is a pleasure to witness take form.

To call this book a tear-jerker would be a massive understatement. John Green gives us such an honest portrayal of cancer's effects on families and relationships. You really do fall in love with the characters over the course of the story; it's the wonderful characters coupled with the harsh truth about cancer that make this story so painful. And yet, through all the tears (and trust me, there are a lot), Green manages to leave readers with a sense of hope at the end of the novel.

I absolutely love this book (I've now read it twice), although I do sometimes find it hard to believe Hazel and Augustus are teens because the way they speak sounds so advanced. I've never known any teenager to speak with the level of intelligence they do - which is not to say I think teens are unintelligent, because I don't, nor am I saying these kinds of teenagers don't exist. I just found a lot of their speech to be so metaphor-laden and mature-sounding. I think this maturity can be attributed to the amount of growing up their cancers have forced them into; they had to deal with extremely difficult situations at a young, impressionable age.

I highly recommend this sad, beautiful, hopeful, and incredibly quotable book to anyone and everyone. Be warned: you will cry, so be sure to keep a box of tissues by your side.

Have you read The Fault in Our Stars? If so, what did you think? Will you be watching the film adaptation?

You can read my review of the film here.

"Bad Words" Review | Movie Monday

"Bad Words" Theatrical Release Poster

Bad Words tells the story of Guy Trilby (Jason Bateman, who also directed the film), a 40-year-old man who finds a loophole in the Spelling Bee rules and decides to enter, much to the chagrin of the child contestants, their parents, and the event organizers. Guy has a reporter named Jenny (Kathryn Hahn) report on his progress in the competition, and along the way he reluctantly befriends one of the contestants, Chai (Rohan Chand).

This film is full of dark humour - the kind that makes you chuckle and simultaneously wonder, "Oh my god, did (s)he really just say that?" Jason Bateman's Guy is a miserable person and when he reveals his reason for entering the Spelling Bee, it just makes you, as an observer, feel bad for him because he was so affected that he went and ruined an otherwise entertaining competition for a bunch of kids.

Guy's relationship with Chai is really funny and endearing as we see it develop; Guy begins by not wanting anything to do with the child, but Chai is just so sweet and persistent, despite Guy being an absolute jerk to him.

I really enjoyed this movie; it's definitely not a happy, feel-good film, but the dark humour did make me laugh often, and I think the story-line is an interesting concept.

What's your favourite word?

"Tic Tac Tome: The Book That Will Beat You at Tic-Tac-Toe" | Book Review

"Tic Tac Tome"

Picture this: you're all alone, trying to think of something to pass the time. You feel like a good ole game of Tic-Tac-Toe - but there's no one around to play it with you. That no longer matters, because now Tic Tac Tome exists!

This book claims (yes, the book actually addresses you) that it's nearly unbeatable at Tic-Tac-Toe. And that's not far from the truth! I have yet to beat it at the game, although we have drawn a few times (I grew up playing Tic-Tac-Toe a lot and my Dad taught me a few tricks).

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys playing the game. Tic Tac Tome is a lot of fun and definitely makes you think about your strategy and what your next move will be. You'll be a better player for it!

Tic Tac Tome: The Book That Will Beat You at Tic-Tac-Toe comes out on June 10, 2014.

Do you play Tic-Tac-Toe?

*This book was sent to me by Quirk Books as a review copy. All my reviews are honest and based on my own opinions.

"Blood Red Road" | Book Review

"Blood Red Road" book cover

Everything Saba loves is taken from her one fateful day: the day when four horsemen show up and abduct her twin brother, Lugh. In order to get him back, Saba must navigate not only the harsh desert landscape, but also the brutal, drug-addled people she encounters. With the help of comrades she meets along the way, will Saba reach her brother in time?

Blood Red Road has action from beginning to end - just when you think the characters are finally safe, there's another onslaught of action or a barrier they must overcome. This novel keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout, and you never know what's going to happen next.

The style of writing Moira Young uses is, I think, perfect for the story she is telling. The first thing you notice about the words themselves is that they're written phonetically - that means they are spelled out exactly the way they sound. Most of the characters in the novel have accents, so this is a really authentic way of being more immersed in the world of Blood Red Road. Personally, it took some getting used to at first, but I quickly adjusted - it's fun reading with an accent!

Another interesting point about the writing style is that there are no quotation marks used to indicate dialogue. I find this so interesting because sometimes we don't know if we're reading what someone's saying or if we're hearing Saba's internal monologue. Without quotation marks, we as the readers are right in her mind; it's abundantly clear that we're seeing things from Saba's subjective perspective and must sometimes question her opinions and the conclusions she reaches.

Saba, our protagonist, is a fascinating character. She is by no means perfect - in fact, she's often very frustrating. This is realistic though, especially because we're right inside her mind; when we spend time with someone, we see what they want us to see, but the fact that we're in Saba's head means we see all her imperfections and cruel thoughts and opinions.

Having said that, Saba's character development from the beginning to the end of this novel is spectacular, especially concerning her relationship with her little sister, Emmi, who she blames for Ma's death. Character development is a big deal to me, and I'm really impressed with how it's done in this novel. When I went to Moira Young's book signing, she gave some really great advice on the subject, saying "you have to make the stakes high; that's how the characters grow as people".

The world-building in this story is fantastic as well; it takes place post-apocalypse, but there are some really cool references to our current civilization - they call us "Wreckers", which is incredibly appropriate, seeing as we're wrecking the planet. There are several references to our civilization and it's often funny to read about the seemingly outlandish things we take for granted from the perspective of a character who's never seen them in use.

I absolutely love Blood Red Road, it's one of my favourite books. It's an action-packed and thrilling read, and I'm eager to read the next books in the trilogy!

Have you read Blood Red Road?

"Neighbors" Review | Movie Monday

"Neighbors" Theatrical Release Poster

Neighbors follows Mac (Seth Rogen) and Kelly Radner (Rose Byrne) as they face parenthood and the reality of a fraternity moving in next door. Everything goes well at first with the fraternity's President, Teddy (Zac Efron), seeming compliant with the couple's requests to keep the noise down; but when things go wrong and the Radners call the cops, all hell breaks loose.

This movie is pretty funny from the get-go, but it really hits its stride once the pranking and sabotage begin. There are many laugh-out-loud moments, including a few scenes involving airbags. In terms of humour, this film is pretty much what you expect when you see a film starring Seth Rogen - frequently stupid humour, and always gut-busting.

Among all the comedy, there's also a heartwarming aspect to Neighbors. Mac and Kelly have a rough time dealing with Teddy and his fraternity, but ultimately the experience makes them a stronger family unit. There was also a sense of brotherly love among the fraternity brothers, particularly between Teddy and Pete (Dave Franco), whose relationship is also tried among all the sabotage.

Zac Efron usually plays the "nice guy", so it was nice to see him in a different role, although Teddy is frequently a douchebag.

I really enjoyed this film - it had me laughing a lot. If you usually like Seth Rogen movies, you'll definitely enjoy this!

"Waiting for Godot" | Play Review

The plot is simple. Two men, Vladimir and Estragon, are waiting for a man named Godot. We never find out exactly why, although the protagonists seem to think it's an important matter. But Godot never shows.

Written by Samuel Beckett, Waiting for Godot is a play that makes you constantly question what is happening - in a good way. The change from friendly conversation to "why are we here?" happens quickly and often, and leaves the reader as confused as the characters. Beckett has a knack for witty dialogue that results in frequent laugh-out-loud moments.

Waiting for Godot is a bizarrely funny play; I recommend it if you'd like some laughs and don't mind being a bit confused.