Review: Knits for Nerds

 Title: Knits for Nerds
Author:  Joan of Dark
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 5 stars!!

Synopsis from Netgalley:
The best of science fiction, manga, and animaguiri meets knit one, purl two as knit siren and part-time roller derby girl Joan of Dark offers up an out-of-this-world assortment of knitting nerdiness inside Knits for Nerds. The patterns for 30 iconic clothing and accessory items inspired by popular TV shows, books, films, comics, and more—including Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Firefly—are presented alongside full-color photographs showcasing completed projects, such as:

• Lieutenant Uhura's sexy Star Trek minidress
• Hobbit feet slippers
• Firefly-inspired scarf, socks, hat, and jacket
• Tank Girl socks
• Hermione Granger's secret beaded bag
• Manga-inspired leg warmers
• The Big Bang Theory-inspired his and hers sweater-vests
• Lord of the Rings-inspired shrug

In addition to a wardrobe of costume finery, hobbyists will also find instructions for practical projects such as an e-reader cover or a laptop bag crafted of checkered fabric that serves double-duty as a chessboard and carryall, as well as patterns for plush toys inspired by Star Trek, robots, and the comic book Squee! Wear (and knit!) your nerdiness on your sleeve with Knits for Nerds.

My review:
I (and my husband) are nerds.  So I was really excited when I saw this book on Netgalley and requested it right away.  There are so many things in here I want to make right away.  My favorite is probably the Hobbit socks.  My husband wanted me to make lots of things in here, especially the Star Trek mini dress.  I haven't actually knitted anything out of it yet, but all of the patterns and items look well done. 

I received an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review: The Way we fall

Title: The Way we fall
Author: Megan Crewe
Source:  Netgalley
Rating:  3 1/2 star

Synopsis from Netgalley:
When a deadly virus begins to sweep through sixteen-year-old Kaelyn's community, the government quarantines her island-no one can leave, and no one can come back.

Those still healthy must fight for dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival. As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest. 

Because how will she go on if there isn't?

My review:
I was really excited to read this book because it sounded exactly like something I would love.  However, I found that I was a little disappointed.  For me, it was just kind of "eh".  It was well written and I liked the characters, but I felt like the action never really picked up much.  I just kept waiting for something to happen.  It wasn't bad but it wasn't great either.   

I received an electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Review: You are my only

Title: You are my only
Author: Beth Kephart
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis from Netgalley:
Emmy Rane was married at nineteen and a mother by twenty. Trapped in a life with an abusive husband, Baby was her only joy. Until one day in September, when Emmy walked the sixty-three steps from the backyard to the upstairs closet, and returned to find Baby missing. All that was left behind was a yellow sock, which Emmy clings to as she's institutionalized for what she calls grief and others call mental instability.

In another town, fourteen years later, Sophie is a teenage girl living a reclusive life with her overbearing mother. They move from place to place with almost no notice, always outrunning the No Good. One afternoon, Sophie ventures outside and meets Joey and his two aunts. Their unconventional family opens up Sophie's eyes, giving her the courage to look into her past. And what she discovers changes her world forever. . .

The alternating narratives of Emmy and Sophie tell haunting tales of loss and freedom that complement one another, though set a decade and a half apart. 


My review:
This book was decent but forgettable.  Most of the plot was expected, and there was nothing new.  It was well written and the characters were well developed.  It was good enough that I wanted to keep reading, but I was disappointed overall.

January wrap up

I can't believe it is already February.  I started my last semester of grad school and I graduate in April! Here are the books I read in January. 

1. Saving June
2. These things hidden
3. Forgotten
4. THe Way we fall
5. The secret holocaust diaries- Nonna Bannister
6. The sweetest thing
7. The bad beginning
8. In the garden of beasts
9. Moon over manifest
10. Matched
11. The house at riverton
12. Bridge to terabithia
13. Will grayson, will grayson
14. A walk across the sun
15. The Paris Wife
16. Glow
17. Leisl and Po
18. City of falling angels
19. An uncommon reader
20. Wilderness tips

Best Books of the Year

Prophecy of the Sisters- Michelle Zink
Handmaid's Tale- Margaret Atwood
Stiff- Mary Roach
Running the Books- Avi Steinberg
Firefly Lane- Kristin Hannah
Backseat Saints-  Joshilyn Jackson
Of Bees and Mist- Erick Setiawan
Madame Tussaud- Michelle Moran
Still Alice- Lisa Genova
Divergent- Veronica Roth
Delirium- Lauren Oliver
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children- Ransom Riggs
Girl in Translation- Jean Kwok
Forest of Hands and Teeth- Carrie Ryan
If I Stay/Where She Went- Gayle Forman
White Oleander- Janet Fitch
The Night Circus- Erin Morgenstern
The Story of Beautiful Girl- Rachel Simon
The Distant Hours- Kate Morton
The Lost Hours- Karen White

Review: Lady of the Rivers

Title: Lady of the Rivers
Author: Philippa Gregory
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 4/5


Synopsis from Amazon:
Descended from Melusina, the river goddess, Jacquetta always has had the gift of second sight. As a child visiting her uncle, she met his prisoner, Joan of Arc, and saw her own power reflected in the young woman accused of witchcraft. They share the mystery of the tarot card of the wheel of fortune before Joan is taken to a horrific death at the hands of the English rulers of France. Jacquetta understands the danger for a woman who dares to dream.
Jacquetta is married to the Duke of Bedford, English regent of France, and he introduces her to a mysterious world of learning and alchemy. Her only friend in the great household is the duke’s squire Richard Woodville, who is at her side when the duke’s death leaves her a wealthy young widow. The two become lovers and marry in secret, returning to England to serve at the court of the young King Henry VI, where Jacquetta becomes a close and loyal friend to his new queen.
The Woodvilles soon achieve a place at the very heart of the Lancaster court, though Jacquetta can sense the growing threat from the people of England and the danger of royal rivals. Not even their courage and loyalty can keep the House of Lancaster on the throne. Henry the king slides into a mysterious sleep; Margaret the queen turns to untrustworthy favorites for help; and Richard, Duke of York, threatens to overturn the whole kingdom for his rival dynasty.
Jacquetta fights for her king, her queen, and for her daughter Elizabeth for whom Jacquetta can sense an extraordinary and unexpected future: a change of fortune, the throne of England, and the white rose of York.

My review:
I have read most of Philippa Gregory's books and have loved them all.  However, after a while, they all seem to be very similar.  Lady of the Rivers was a typical Philippa Gregory book.  It was good and I really enjoyed it, but wasn't anything groundbreaking or new.  There was one thing that bugged me about this book: it repeated A LOT.  There were quite a few instances where she described something, and then in the next paragraph, described it again in slightly different wording.  Despite this, I really enjoyed the book and will continue to read her work.

Montreal bloggers meet up

Left Side (Left to Right): 
Me, Natalia at Dazzling Reads, Ilana at From Smiler, With Love, Avis at She Reads and Reads, & Tina at Bookshipper.

Right Side (Right to Left): 
Emilie at A Beautiful Madness, Tynga at Tynga's Reviews, Lucy at Moonlight Gleam's Bookshelf, Cindy at Cindy's Love of Books, & Cat at Beyond Books.

Last weekend I met up with a group of other bloggers from Montreal.  As usual I had a great time talking about books and lots of other stuff.  We also exchanged books.  Here is what I got:

How to Deal- Sarah Dessen

All American Girl- Meg Cabot

How to be popular- Meg Cabot

Jinx- Meg Cabot

Glow- Amy Kathleen Ryan

Where she went- Gayle Forman

Fever- Lauren DeStefano

Devoted- Hilary Duff

The Hunger Games- Suzanne Collins