Wishlist Wednesday

Wishlist Wednesday is hosted by Pen to Paper.

This is a blog hop focused on books in our wishlist.

This week I'm wishing for:

A Country of Vast Designs: James K. Polk, the Mexican War and the Conquest of the American Continent 
by Robert W. Merry

Summary from Goodreads:

When James K. Polk was elected president in 1844, the United States was locked in a bitter diplomatic struggle with Britain over the rich lands of the Oregon Territory, which included what is now Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Texas, not yet part of the Union, was threatened by a more powerful Mexico. And the territories north and west of Texas -- what would become California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and part of Colorado -- belonged to Mexico. When Polk relinquished office four years later, the country had grown by more than a third as all these lands were added. The continental United States, as we know it today, was established -- facing two oceans and positioned to dominate both. 

In a one-term presidency, Polk completed the story of America's Manifest Destiny -- extending its territory across the continent, from sea to sea, by threatening England and manufacturing a controversial and unpopular two-year war with Mexico that Abraham Lincoln, in Congress at the time, opposed as preemptive. 

 Robert Merry tells this story through powerful debates and towering figures -- the outgoing President John Tyler and Polk's great mentor, Andrew Jackson; his defeated Whig opponent, Henry Clay; two famous generals, Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott; Secretary of State James Buchanan (who would precede Lincoln as president); Senate giants Thomas Hart Benton and Lewis Cass; Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun; and ex-president Martin Van Buren, like Polk a Jackson protégé but now a Polk rival. 

 This was a time of tremendous clashing forces. A surging antislavery sentiment was at the center of the territorial fight. The struggle between a slave-owning South and an opposing North was leading inexorably to Civil War. In a gripping narrative, Robert Merry illuminates a crucial epoch in U.S. history.

I love history. In fact I am going to school to become a History teacher. I have a personal goal to read at least one biography or autobiography about most of the presidents. James K. Polk is one of my favorite president. Maybe it's because Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide school was named after him. Maybe it's because when we learned about him in class I found him really interesting. Whatever the reason I really want to read this book. 

What's on your wishlist?

TBR Spotlight

So I was sitting here looking at my TBR pile and thinking about how I somehow wanted to feature some of the books on my blog. I remember seeing some TBR posts. With my best friend google, I realize my favorite book blogger Misty from The Book Rat had a "TBR Tuesday" type deal. Sweet.

First up in my TBR pile is:

The Stand The Complete and Uncut Edition
by Stephen King
Summary from Goodreads

This is the way the world ends: with a nanosecond of computer error in a Defense Department laboratory and a million casual contacts that form the links in a chain letter of death. 

 And here is the bleak new world of the day after: a world stripped of its institutions and emptied of 99 percent of its people. A world in which a handful of panicky survivors choose sides -- or are chosen. A world in which good rides on the frail shoulders of the 108-year-old Mother Abagail -- and the worst nightmares of evil are embodied in a man with a lethal smile and unspeakable powers: Randall Flagg, the dark man. 

 In 1978 Stephen King published The Stand, the novel that is now considered to be one of his finest works. The Complete And Uncut Edition includes more than five hundred pages of material previously deleted, along with new material that King added as he reworked the manuscript for a new generation. It gives us new characters and endows familiar ones with new depths. It has a new beginning and a new ending. What emerges is a gripping work with the scope and moral complexity of a true epic. 

 For hundreds of thousands of fans who read The Stand in its original version and wanted more, this new edition is Stephen King's gift. And those who are reading The Stand for the first time will discover a triumphant and eerily plausible work of the imagination that takes on the issues that will determine our survival.

I don't think I will even ever start this book. The uncut version has 1153 pages! It's so intimidating. But it is supposed to be a very good book. Until I can get over it's length it will sit and wait for my on my shelf. Or it will stay there until my Nana realizes I still have it.

Review: Foretold by Jana Oliver

Rating: Generous 3

Pages: 352, Paperback

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Series: Final (4th) in The Demon Trappers
File Under: Young Adult, Demons, Paranormal Romance
Summary from Goodreads:

In FORETOLD, the fourth Demon Trappers novel by Jana Oliver, Riley faces the final battle for humanity and Beck's heart—and Hell is the least of her problems 

Now that Riley’s managed to (just barely) fend off Armageddon, everything’s changed. Well . . . most things. After their passionate kiss before the big battle in the cemetery, Beck is back to treating her like a little girl, as if nothing ever happened. While she’d love to just tell him off and move on, Riley vowed to take care of Beck the way he’s taken care of her since her father’s death—but she’s about to get a whole lot more than she bargained for. When she’s commissioned to go with Beck to his hometown and help him care for his dying mother, they stumble too close to a dark and murderous secret, one that Beck fears will drive Riley away from him forever. As chaos breaks loose, Riley may be Beck's only hope for redemption . . . and survival. 

Meanwhile, up in Atlanta, it’s quickly becoming clear that Heaven may have won a battle, but the war is far from over. Riley and Beck face a stormy future, as Lucifer's ex-right-hand-man, Sartael, proves himself to be more resilient than anyone thought. He has Atlanta in his grip and is about to begin a brutal war with the prince of Hell. As the seconds tick down toward a final confrontation, it's up to Riley and the man she loves to finally defeat their old enemy, or lose everything they've fought for.

I was so excited when I got this book. Sadly I ended being let down. The 3 star rating is VERY generous.

The book is actually two different stories crudely glued together with Elmers's.

The first part is my favorite. It does not fit at all into the series but it was the most interesting. We finally get to see more about Beck's past when he goes back to his hometown. It's exiting. I read through this part super fast. It didn't lag and answered questions I had about Beck. First part of book gets 3 stars.

The latter half of the book is super boring. Me while reading most of this part:


It's a rehash of the third book. It took me forever to get through this part. None of it was interesting and I almost gave up. There was a big epic battle at the end that sucked. Riley is a damsel in distress in the battle to make Beck look better. And it was so boring. I was 100% done with everyone at this point. I was done with Riley and Beck. They suddenly have NO chemistry! Stewart was annoying me. Lucifer and Satrael and Ori were disappointing. Uhg. I am so glad it's over. There was other pointless subplots in the book but I don't have the energy to remember them or write about them.

Plus plus also and what the hell was the point in Ori taking Riley's abusive ex to hell? That should have been left out. It had no fucking point. We don't see him again.

Overall:

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking The Spine.

This is a blog hop that focuses on upcoming books we are dying to read.

The book I'm waiting on is:

Never Too Far by Abbi Glines
Find it on Goodreads

It had been three weeks, four days and twelve hours since I’d seen her. Since she’d torn my heart out. If I had been drinking, I’d blame it on the alcohol. It had to be an illusion; a desperate one. But I hadn’t been drinking. Not a drop. There was no mistaking Blaire. It was her. She was actually here. 

 Blaire was back in Rosemary.

It's the second in a series. I need this book to see if Blaire's pregnant. I am convinced she is. 

The release date is March 12, 2013.
Edit: When I made the post the release date was March 12. Now it's February 26! AHH!

What book are you waiting on?

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking The Spine.

This is a blog hop that focuses on upcoming books we are dying to read.

The book I'm waiting on is:

Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter
Find it on Goodreads

Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it's that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting--or stealing--whatever they want. No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale's family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother's billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there's no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won't let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother's will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company's fortune. So instead of being the heir--this time, Hale might be the mark. Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she's willing to save her boyfriend's company if it means losing the boy.

The release date is February 5th 2013. I have already pre-ordered it and am anxiously waiting for it.

What book are you waiting on?

Review: Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines

Rating: 3.5
Pages: 207, Kindle
Publisher: Abbi Glines
Series: 1st in on going series, 2nd is Never Too Far release date is March 12, 2013
File Under: Romance, Contemporary, Adult, New Adult, Chick Lit
Summary from Goodreads:

To want what you’re not supposed to have… 

She is only nineteen. 

She is his new stepfather’s daughter.

She is still naïve and innocent due to spending the last three years taking care of her sick mother. 

But for twenty-four year old Rush Finlay, she is the only thing that has ever been off limits. His famous father’s guilt money, his mother’s desperation to win his love, and his charm are the three reasons he has never been told no. 

Blaire Wynn left her small farmhouse in Alabama, after her mother passed away, to move in with her father and his new wife in their sprawling beach house along the Florida gulf coast. She isn’t prepared for the lifestyle change and she knows she’ll never fit into this world. Then there is her sexy stepbrother who her father leaves her with for the summer while he runs off to Paris with his wife. Rush is as spoiled as he is gorgeous. He is also getting under her skin. She knows he is anything but good for her and that he’ll never be faithful to anyone. He is jaded and has secrets Blaire knows she may never uncover but even knowing all of that… 

Blaire just may have fallen too far.

Review:

When I got this for my Kindle I was looking for something cheap, entertaining, and quick to read. I saw this review from Reading, Eating, and Dreaming and decided to get it. And I am so glad I did!

It starts with Blaire going to live with her father (who abandoned her 5 years earlier) after her mother died from cancer. When she gets to the house there's a party going on and her father is not there. It turns out that Rush, her new step-brother, owns the house and her father went away to Paris with his wife.

From here Rush totally Harry Potters this poor girl. She has to sleep in the "room" under the stairs and he's a major asshat to her. But Rush starts being less assholey and he and Blaire learn more about each other. They have some cute moments, share kisses, and have some sexy times. But shit hits the fan. Unfortunately there's a big secret to why Rush ignored her and why he tried to stay away from her. Plus his sister Nan, totally hates. I mean straight up she despises her. When the big secret is revealed I was a bit floored. I thought the secret was that Nan and Blaire had the same mother and that their mother didn't want Nan.

This is actually a pretty good book. But I do have a few problems with it. For one they fell in love super quickly. For two Rush is still kind of an ass. Finally there wasn't a lot of emotional depth. I felt almost nothing for her mother's death, or her sister's, or the fact that her dad left her. Their was no memories of these and Blaire doesn't really express how she feels about them in a concrete way other than "Oh sometimes I hate my father." or "I miss my mom and sister." I needed more here. I needed something I could grab onto to help me  feel what she feels.

Plus there's the ending! I have to wait until March to see what happens between them. I can't wait that long.


Overall:

I'm So Sorry

I know I'm the worst book blogger ever. But I've been having personal issues. I have clinical depression. My posting is sporadic at best. You can see that sometimes I don't post for months. That's because that's when it's the worst. If you know about it or have it you know that it can really mess up your life. Sometimes breathing is hard enough to do in a day let alone read and plan a book blog.   So I just really want to say I am extremely sorry for my lack of posts. I'm going to try harder. I won't feel this hopeless forever and when I finally start to emerge again I know I will do better. Until that time I ask you to be patient and forgiving.