Neon Soul by Alexandra Elle

This compilation of poems by Alexandra Elle is a wonderful read for anyone at all, simply due to its very appealing writing style. Here is my experience of reading this poetry book that came out very recently.

The day I became a bird by Ingrid Chabbert, Illustrated by Guridi

I have not read many picture books as such but my recent stumbling upon an illustrated fairy tale has piqued my interest in picture books. These books are not only read for their story but also for the pictures/illustrations they contain inside. I decided to review the book just for its beautiful cover but what it contains inside is even more promising.

It was his first day at school and he fell in love. 'The day I became a bird' had me since the beginning.

Cover page

The cover page consists of a sketch of a bird with large eyes and slender feet. The title 'the day I became a bird' holds a place on top right corner of the book making the bird on the cover the focus. The back cover too has a tiny bird sitting on the football which is meaningful to the story. The book itself is a well thought out product. The story begins with the boy wanting to turn into a bird and ends with the two characters uniting. The illustrations are suggestive and not smothering. The colors are kept visually subtle. The typography compliments the illustrations. 

One of he best covers I have come across this year. 

Characters 

It is a story of a boy who falls in love with a girl on the first day of his school. He is very simple and creative. The innocence in the character makes him even more appealing. His thoughts, as put across by the author, are lyrical. He also possesses the goodness of appreciating a person for her kindness which is a sweet trait. 

Coming to her lovely lady, Sylvia is a girl obsessed with birds. 

'There are birds on her pants and dresses.

She wears bird barrettes in her hair. 

She draws birds in her notebooks and folders. 

And when she speaks her voice sounds like a birdsong.' 

Content 

The story is of a schoolboy who falls in love on his first day of school and craves for attention of his girl. During the course of time he understands her interest in birds and starts seeing them differently. All for the love he possesses for her. 

It is a story of recognizing the love you posses for a person and putting efforts in understanding her likes and dislikes. The book also gives a message of kindness and internal beauty. It is a beautiful, innocent story told with some great messages.The story and the illustrations compliment each other. The story is as much in the words as it is in the sketches.

Language 

The language is quite simple. Author possesses an innocence in the narration. It is also lyrical at times when the boy describes the girl. The entire narrative is lingering sweet.

Good points 

The cover page is beautiful. One of the best I have seen this year. The characters are quite innovative and the portrayal, simplistic. The content is short and sweet, flavor added by the author with narration. 

Bad points 

The story ended quick. A sweet story like this leaves you wishing there was more. 

Overall 

This book is a good product. The story can be read over and over again.

Who do I recommend this to? 

This book is for those who like to read beautiful books. Those who appreciate short and sweet stories are also going to love this one.

Quotable quotes

I don't want to take my costume off - I am a bird.

The worst is when it rains. I smell like wet dog. 

My toy cars, soccer and all the rest don't seem important.

And i don't look at birds the same way I did before.

Book Trailer

I received an ARC of this book from the publishers via Netgalley. The review is my own, entirely uninfluenced. 

The Universe Of Us by Lang Leav

My first ever Lang Leav book was a present to me. After a little procrastination I read it. And thus began my love for poetry. I do not call myself a poetry geek. But what I am, is a lover of beautiful words that seem like they are everything you will ever need to hear. It is this love that keeps bringing me back to Lang Leav. The new book by Lang Leav is all about romanticizing the universe of you and me, of us. 

Cover page 

Every book by the author has its own language. On the cover is a beautiful illustration of the author herself. The cover is a shade of pink with cursive white lettering. The cover as usual is simple and elegant. The back cover contains a line from inside the book which says 'he and I collided like two predestined stars and in that brief moment I felt what it was like to be immortal'. Kudos to the publishers 'Andrews Mcmeel Publishing'. 

Content 

We, as humans, are dreamy. We get stuck in the humdrum of life and monotony of surviving but we dream of stars. These stars when stationary form traces of imageries. And when they break we close our eyes for a wish.

We, as humans, have all romanticized the universe. Sun, moon, stars, Jupiter and the space. Lang Leav has revisited the romanticism clung to the universe in her new collection. She has explored the joy of love, the sorrow of loneliness, the vacuum of losing the ones you love; in all different forms. Some poems are deep as the sea and some are just lyrical, overwhelming your heart like a longing. Some of these poems are just rhyming bits, a little childish. 

There are people in the book who are floating in space, around Jupiter, watching the waves of the ocean, wanting to uncover the blanket of stars and accumulate them to quantify the love they have for someone.

There are some, just lines, that make you delve into them like everything in the world can wait. 

Language

The poems are very dreamy, lyrical, as they usually are. They are very simple to understand or they need not be understood. Just enjoyed.

Good points 

The book cover is just beautiful. I plan to pre-order my copy right away. The content is 'out of the universe'. The poems are just brilliant. Some slightly better than the best ones in the book. There is an illustration by the author at the beginning which is, again, beautiful. 

Bad points 

I am having some trouble here. But let me just say, I was expecting more illustrations from the author this time around too. Was a little disappointed here. 

Overall

Lang Leav lives up to all the expectations. This book is just brilliant!

Who do I recommend this to 

This book is for all those who like good writing. For all the dreamy ones!

Pre-order your copy here

Quotable quotes

Choose Love My mother once said to me there are two kinds of men you'll meet. The first will give you the life you want and the second will give you the love you desire. If you're one of the lucky few, you will find both in one person. But if you ever find yourself having to choose between the two, then always choose love.

When
When did you stop caring? he asked.
When did you start noticing? she replied.

Lover's Paradox Tell me that story again - the one where the world ends how it began with a by who loves a girl and a girl who loves a boy. And she is deaf and he is blind and he tells her her loves her over and over and she writes him every day but never hears a thing back.

From 'Time Stands Still' In cemeteries
of memories
our love will lie
in caskets.
My time with he
an eternity -
neither present
nor future
can past it.

From 'All I Ask'
Stay''til our present
slips into the past-
it is all that I ask.

I received this book from the publishers via Netgalley. The thoughts on the book are uninfluenced and my own.

Gone Wild by Jody Lundgren

Lurking in the wild and discovering oneself has been the theme for many novels, of which I have not read one. Novels like "Into the Wild" and others have made a mark. Deciding to read this book was partly influenced by these books. "Gone Wild" hardly met my expectations but there are some good points to talk about in this book. The author deserves appreciation for her work even though it has not made a mark. 

Cover page 

The book is about two main characters who are going to a camping trip in jungle beside an ocean. They are together finding their way. The cover page illustrates the story inside. It is a photographic page with the title at the top and author's name in the  bottom. It is very simple and neat design. The typography compliments the story inside which is of N/A or Y/A category. 

Characters 

There are two main characters in the book who are both dealing with a messed up life. 

Seth is an adopted child to his mother. His father separated from his mother and thought it would be best for him if he stays with his mother. But he did not leave alone. He took the dog with himself which was one true family to Seth. His mother got herself a new boyfriend who's name rhymes with "hurt". Seth is unhappy in his house and decides to search for his birth mother but, unfortunately, he is too young to be revealed the data to. 

Brooke on the other hand, has a complete family with no one missing from it. Her mom is bearing and Brooke tries to annoy her at every chance she gets. Brooke realized that she could be pregnant. To avoid her mom from thinking for her, she leaves the house to a camping trip to think on her own. 

The characters are very clear and sharp. They are given specific characteristics even though they are rebels. They are both different from each other. The minor details in the temperament are seen through the writing. Seth as a character calls for reader's pity. 

Content

The book is about Seth and Brooke. They are rebellious teenagers trying to get away from home for their own different reasons. Seth and Brooke meet each other in the camping trip and become each other's companions. They open up to each other and understand life better. Of course there is a lot of adventure in the forest. 

Now, the content as described above seems like a story for a perfect book. But it is not. Especially when there is not enough backing. The story seemed like broken pieces of scenes. It moves too fast for anyone to savor it. There is some adventure in the book but that also dies out too soon. Brooke is just a sad character in the book who is constantly looking for limelight through Seth. The book is a short read. It takes maximum of two hours to finish the story whereas a concept like this deserves more explanation and description than given in the book. 

After reading the book it still does not quench the thirst for a good story. 

Language 

Here is a good part about the book "On Writing" by Stephen King. People are actually reading  the book and improving their writing. The product is seen in the pages of the book. The language is simple and clear. There is not much swaying from the point which is worth appreciating. The unnecessary side characters are also avoided. It is clean writing which is not seen much in books these days. 

Good points 

The cover page is beautiful. It is a part of the reason I decided to review the book. It works well to bring the book into the limelight. The characters are distinct. Seth has a mind of his own even though he is a teenager who is lost in the ocean. The concept of the book is very interesting. Language is polished. The author has learned the art of writing and it shows. 

Bad points 

Even after mentioning all the above good points about the book I cannot bring myself to like it. The book is technically correct but it fails to connect with the reader. The story is fast paced by which I mean too fast to catch. The scenes and events need more description to convince the readers which were lacking. The story finished with a happy ending but it was too quick. There was a lot of stalling in the beginning and then whoosh! 

Overall 

Overall, my eagerness to read an adventure novel and understand the ways of the forest is far from quenched. The book does not fulfill what I set out for. 

Who do I recommend this to 

This is book has got some interesting presentation and writing but as far as content is concerned it is a disappointment. I would probably recommend it to those who are looking for a guide to good writing or a good kindle document for publishing example. Those looking for a good story, wait out. 

I received an ARC copy from the publisher for reviewing. It has not influenced the review at all. 

Flawed (Flawed, #1) by Cecelia Ahern

Sir Thomas More was defining a near perfect society when he coined the term ‘Utopia’. Utopia has been fodder for many fiction and derived fiction novels. Author Amish Tripathi’s ‘shiva trilogy’ is one such series. The book talks about a perfect society and the whole dynamics. A flaw can only be used to polish to perfection. A dystopian society can only lead to utopia. And these two terms are not mere two ends of the pole. They are the two chambers in the hourglass. Time passes and sand keeps slipping from one chamber to the other, thus reaching one end to the other. This is a cycle. Dystopia, just like utopia, has also been a frequently used theme for the work of fiction. ‘The Hunger Games’ series made the genre famous and now more and more authors are treading carefully into the cold waters. 

Cecelia Ahren is a prolific writer, her arena being love stories. This is the first time she is writing a young adult book that too with dystopian theme. ‘The Scarlet Letter meets Divergent’ is how the publishers are describing the book. Having read neither, it would be improper to agree with it or invalidate the claim. But this novel is going to be surprise treat for the readers, it is safe to say! 

“No, its not funny, comical, but its funny, peculiar,” I say, feeling slapped.
“Thank you, Thesaurus,” Juniper says under her breath. Its what she always calls me when I get bogged down by definitions.

Cover page

The cover page narrowly escapes the dungeon and keeps itself from being boring. Narrowly. The color white dominates the cover. The designers have used the character as branding on the book. The female lead of the book finds herself on the cover. There is also the much talked about ‘flawed branding’. For someone who has not yet read the book, the cover is going to be dull.

But this is different once the story is known. The cover-page describes the story inside perfectly well. The white color denotes the perfection of Celestine, our leading lady. And to shatter the crystal ball, there is a sear of ‘flawed’ on her. The cover page is thought provoking. Someone who reads the book is going to come back to the cover and ponder over it. Smart approach. 

Characters

I am a girl of definitions, of logic, of black and white.

Remember this.

The part one consists of these two lines. The lines are to describe Celestine North, the female lead of the book. Celestine is articulate. She uses the right words at right places. She is good at mathematics and she has a boyfriend who thinks she is perfect.

With all the perfection that Celestine possess, nobody would have thought that she would become the most flawed person in the city. She is going to bear the mark for her life.

The lead character is, no surprises, bold. She is a girl who fall into the situations she would not have dreamt of and learns to triumph during the course. There is a course of change that is seen in her over the chapters. The transition keeps the book interesting.

There are other characters such as Corlineus-Celestine’s grandad, Art-her boyfriend, Juniper-her sister etc. all the characters are written in depth. A novel which could have been a ridiculous idea, considering the dystopian theme, is made believable through the characters. 

Content

“Never trust a man who sits uninvited, at the head of the table in another man’s home.”

The story begins when Judge Crevan or Bosco has come for lunch to Celestine’s house with his son who also happens to be her boyfriend. Everyone at the table is nervous. Celestine does not understand this. For her Judge Crevan is just Bosco. She loves him like family and does not need to fear him.

The glass shatters when the events start to unfold and Judge Crevan turned out to be a completely different person than he appeared to be. Celestine falls into an unimaginable situation and everyone around her is trying to set an example out of her. Slowly she becomes a face of a revolution. The sand of time exchanging chambers again. 

The novel is fast paced. The content is steady throughout the book. No rush. The book focuses on Celestine throughout. The book finishes with a cliffhanger. Other important characters are going to be unmasked in the sequel. The story is interesting. The cliffhanger is going to keep the readers desperately waiting. 

Language

The entire book is written in the first person. With so many writers using first person narrative these days, the narration may not seem extraordinary but the use of symbolism and personification throughout breathes life into the story. There are some thought provoking lines (find them in quotable quotes) in the book. To someone who loves good writing, Cecelia Ahren is going to be the new favorite. 

Good points

The characters in the book are as deep as the sea. The transition in them is a proof of good writing. The content is fast paced without rushing into situations. The writing is remarkable for an author who has not written a young-adult book before. 

Bad points

Even though the cover is derived from the story inside, it fails to attract any attention. Someone who reads the story and comes back to the cover is going to understand the point of it all, but it may be too much to expect out of a reader. 

“And he is one half of what made you, and that makes him a genius.”

Overall

This book definitely meets the milestones that ‘The Hunger Games’ has set in the genre if not beyond. What lies ahead is a long wait to read the next book in the series. 

Who do I recommend this to

This book is for the dystopian story lovers. Those who like strong female characters are going to find this interesting. Cecelia Ahren fans are going to enjoy this one too.

Quotable quotes 

My striving for perfection also includes wanting to have the ideal relationship with my sister, like in the movies I see and the books I read, the stories that tell you that sisterhood is the one real true love and relationship that you will have in your life.

I’m the poster girl. One side wants to use me to prove the Guild is biased; the Guild wants to use me to prove that it isn’t. The perfect girl to prove its power. It wants me to feed the fear.

“You are a pretty seventeen year old girl from a good part of town, no serious problems, girlfriend of the son of Judge Crevan. Whats not to love about this case? Plus they are looking for a new reality show, and it looks like you are their new target. You represent a generation that will be obsessed with every detail of every aspect of this case, a generation that is pliable, moldable, and just so happens to have more disposable income than any other demographic. Whatever shoes you wear today, they’ll want tomorrow. Whatever earrings you are wearing, they will sell out by the end of this week. Whatever perfume you wear, there will be a waiting list for it tomorrow. It will be the Celestine North effect. The fashion and sales industry will love you.”

We are to be held up to the rest of the world as a mirror of their worst nightmares. Scapegoats for all that is wrong in their lives.

I can’t make out anything anyone is saying, but if you could trap anger in a jar, this is what you would hear each time you twisted the lid. 

I have learned that to be courageous is to feel fear within, every step of the way. Courage does not take over, it fights and struggles through every word you say and every step you take. It’s a battle or a dance to whether to let it pervade. It takes courage to overcome, but it takes extreme fear to be courageous. 

It is pandemonium in the viewing gallery. I can feel their energy, their erratic, angry movements. My eyes move from side to side. I try to focus, but I can’t. I know why I’m here. I understand and then I don’t. I wish I’d never done what I’d done, and then I’m glad I did. I want to scream, but I don’t.

“Do it.”
“Sir, we have never seared a spine before,” Bark says nervously.
“Because we have never seen anyone so flawed to their very backbone like this lady. Brand. Her. Spine.”

“One, two”..
And the hot iron touches my skin, the noise I made is the loudest, most excruciating, agonizing, animal sound I have ever heard in my life, and it echoes through the corridors of Highland Castle for all to hear, so anyone and everyone knows Crevan’s poster girl has been branded.

I wake up. And just as I have done every day in the past three days since I’ve come home, I force myself to go back to sleep. I realize it was not all a nightmare. It is true. Sleep is my only friend these days, so I roll onto my side, for my back is in too much pain, move my head on the pillow, so that my temple doesn’t brush the fabric, try not to crease the skin on my chest so that it doesn’t sting, and leave my right hand flat and open, the dressings prevent me from closing it anyway. This is the only way I can find respite, though for a girl of definitions, I use the term respite lightly. 

It’s the first time I smile in almost a week. When the lows are so immense, the victories are small. But they are despite it. You just have to know them when you see them, little pockets of light and hope hidden away in darkness.

“How can they have learned what’s right and wrong, how could they have learned anything about themselves? About what they feel comfortable doing, about what they feel is beyond the scope of their character? The more mistakes you have made, the more you have learned.”

“Ignorance is bliss. Knowledge is often a responsibility nobody wants.”

* I recieved the book from the publisher. It has not influenced the review at all. 

Hooker Heels by Ryan Ringbloom

Ryan has been very kind to send me her book, this time around too. And I am on cloud nine. This time, I also have a set of questions which she has answered about her writing. You can find it here.

I have already said enough about it already and it is no secret that I love it. So here is the review describing different aspects of the book.

I didn't have much to add except for some flirty comments that made me look like I didn't have a brain in my head. Of course I did, but you could never let a man know that.

Cover page

This has been the trend in the books by the author. The cover pages are always very bland. But I must say I liked this cover better than all her other books. It says what it has to without revealing much. But I would still want to see a beautifully designed cover for her book. 

Characters

Zackery is a billionaire who wants to do much more than just making money. He has a special talent of turning food into work of art. He is tired of been looked through a glasses of richness. He wants to go past the money-making game and do something for the underprivileged. Also, he wants to find someone who will love him for what he is, and not because of all the wealth he has inherited. 

Kenna is a woman who had lived on the gifts showered by rich and in turn given them what they want. She is a hooker, to be blunt. Kenna is coming back from her best friend's wedding, penniless. 

Zackery longs for true love and Kenna for true money. Sounds like a match made in heaven! 

Content

The book begins when Kenna is returning from her best friend's wedding. She has no money and no place to stay considering she does not want to go back to her mother's place. She makes some quick buck on the way in a hotel and drives on. Somewhere on the way she gets a call from Tariq and it looks like she has an assignment. 

Kenna is invited by Zackery's father to keep Zack occupied till their hotel is complete. But it seems like a tough job. Zack will not settle for anything less that true love. 

The content is engrossing from the beginning. Kenna's story is gripping. She will keep you on her toes throughout. Ryan's style is very evident in this book too. 

Two women who were extremely alike in all the wrong ways were a bad combination.

Language

The narration is extremely gripping. The story flows through very smoothly. The story is narrated in first person. So you feel closer to the characters. The alternate narration helps to understand both the characters' point of view. I just love how Ryan glides through the pages. Amazing!

Good points

The characters are just beautiful. Zackery is very calculative and Kenna just keeps you going. Both of them keep you engaged throughout the book. 

The content is amazing. The story is told well. Narration is like magic. Truly wonderful! 

Bad points

The cover page is again something which does not work. I wish I had got a better cover from the author. 

Overall

Overall the book is another wonder from the author. Ryan is just getting better and better with each of her books. 

Who do I recommend this to

This book is for someone who likes off-beat romance and believes in all good things in life. Someone who likes a bit of grays among all whites, this is the book!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW II RYAN RINGLBOOM on Hooker Heels II

Short review of Hooker Heels

Hooker Heels is a story of a woman who is looking for short cuts in life. She does not believe in herself enough to work her way through things. Instead, she sleeps her way through them. Yes, she is a hooker. Kenna does not know any better. 

But then she meets Zack and everything changes. Zack is a billionaire with a heart which is priceless. She learns about bigger things in life through him and he learns her truth, not through her.

The web entangles and they go their separate ways. Only to come back to each other because nothing bad ever happens when Ryan writes the story!
order your copy here

Let's see what she has to say to us today!

1. All your characters are incredible. Where do you get inspiration to write such beautiful characters?
A. My husband is truly incredible, he is absolutely my number one inspiration while writing. Also, some of the stories are plucked right out of our real life. PANIC, in particular is very close to my heart.

2. My favorite character is Patrick among them all. Who is yours?
A. This is something I am asked all the time and it’s so hard because I do love them all. Patrick and Zack were inspired by my husband the most but Josh was absolutely the most fun to write. I love him!

3. All your characters are people suffering from love. Yet each story is different and every character so unique. Do you sometimes suffer from writers block or are you scared of repeating a character? How do you get over the fear?
A. I suffer from writer’s block all the time. All.The. Time. And I live in constant fear of repeating a character. I will often walk away and read, or go on television binges, increase my exercise, have a glass of wine (or two) just to give my brain a break, then I jump back in and keep my fingers crossed!

4. Name a Young adult author who gives you sleepless nights because she may be better than you at this?
A. Um, try all of them. LOL! Seriously, I think every book I read, I’m like, WOW, this is fantastic. But if I had to pick one that I would aspire to be just like – it would certainly be Co-Ho!! Colleen Hoover is a rock star!

5. Which author is on your auto-buy list?
A. Colleen Hoover & Abbi Glines.

6. If Hooker Heels was made into a movie who would you cast as lead characters?
A. Zackary Knight would 100% be Joe Manganiello! Tall. Big. SEXY!!!! Kenna is tougher for me, Blake Lively??? 

7. Sell your book in one sentence!
A. Spoiler, she really is a hooker.

8. Any last words?
A. Readers are everything to me. When a reader connects with one of my stories and reaches out, whether in a review or on a social media site, wherever, it’s a feeling I can’t even explain.Those words are appreciated beyond measure. Thank you to everyone who takes a chance and reads one of
my books.

Veena – I adore you!!! You are such a loyal reader who reached out and now you are one of the first people I go to when a new book is released. Thank you so much for your kindness and support!

Love, Ryan



You are amazing Ryan! Wish you all the best for the book. hope it does well too! just like the others!