#Books – Page 4 – Cindy's Love Of Books

BEA Recap This Time Last Week (Day 1)

Posted on June 2, 2015June 5, 2015 by Cindy

I am so behind in writing up my recap post from BEA but I honestly have to say that I am physically and mentally burned out from the trip. I always have a problem with re-entry back into a normal life. Does anyone else encounter this problem?

I think we are all so high on adrenaline and the excitement of NYC/BEA and lack of sleep that we don’t really realize it at first but it hits on the way back home or even at home.

Anyways lets get on with these recap posts shall we.

Day one is literally spent traveling. If you travel with me you will discover that I try to get pre-boarding and I always manage to get it. Its not that I don’t like standing in lines but when the line is super long I like to take advantage of a service if its available and it always is.

We pulled out of the Montreal train station at about 10:30 am. The train was packed like it always is and I think its because it was memorial day weekend and everyone was traveling. Thankfully the train ride to NYC was uneventful and we arrrived in NYC roughly around 9pm. We even breezed through customs without a huge delay.

I should mention that I was traveling with Laura from Library of Clean Reads and i Read Book Tours and her friend Debra and we decided before hand that we were going to share a room.

Our hotel for the next 5 nights was going to be Hotel Pennsylvania. I plan on doing on review of the hotel sometime this week.

I love the train ride down to New York City because of the scenery so I though I would include some photos I took along the way. I think sunsets are my favorite time of the day.

When ever I travel I tend to over pack and this was no exception. Here is what I had at my seat. I ended up buying various magazines to read (Oprah, Marie Claire, Glamour, People, In Style, Life & Style etc) because they are light and fluffy reads, I brought my iPad as well because there are games and ebooks on that (and I actually ended up using it more then I thought I would) I brought my iPod to listen to music, some snack food (just because buying food on the train tends to get a little expensive), hand sanitizer, mints, charger for phone/iPad/iPod and my BEA notes that I wanted to go through so I could plan out my trip. Not shown in the photo was water, ginger ale, cue cards, pens and business cards. You know I couldn’t go to NYC without bringing my owl tote bag.

What do you bring with you when you travel?

May Book Unhauling #5

Posted on June 1, 2015June 17, 2015 by Cindy

In the month of May I took roughly a week to go through a few boxes of books as well as the book cases to try and purge them down in prep for the books I would be bringing home from BEA. I managed to gather a box full of books but sadly I never got the chance to document or take photos of the books I was giving away so I have no idea what I gave away or how many.

I think with all the hype and getting ready for BEA I think at some point I told myself I had taken photos and I never second guessed that.

So as of right now I have give away 89 books. I wish I could remember how much was in that box oh well I think I am still doing good and I am pleased with my work so far.

Do you have a hard time giving books away?

Review/ The Girl On The Train

Posted on May 29, 2015May 15, 2015 by Cindy

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Format: Paperback
Published by London Publishers on November 20th 2014
Pages: 241
Buy on Amazon

A debut psychological thriller that will forever change the way you look at other people's lives.

I have heard alot of good things about The Girl on The Train and I was always tempted to pick it up when I was at chapters but I would always put it back because of the price. The price of the book was what bothered me because I knew it would be a book I wouldn’t end up rereading. Then I happen to see it at Costco for almost half the price I knew that was my sign to pick up the book and read it.

I was a little unsure because its being compared to Gone Girl a book that I really enjoyed reading. Honestly I have to say it started of slow for me and I wasn’t sure I was going to like this but once I got over that little hump OMG it was amazing. I loved the book and I could see why its being compared to Gone Girl.

The Girl On The Train has three narrators: Rachel (who is an divorced alcoholic), Megan (a lady Rachel sees on the train ride into London daily) and Anna (her ex husband’s new wife). You would think having three narrators to be a bit confusing but its not and looking at the book you would think it was sort of like a diary because you have a morning and evening entry.

Rachel begins her story in early July of 2013 and then Megan begins her story a year earlier from Rachel’s. Rachel’s is more current and Megan’s offers a little bit of a history of her character. It was nice getting that little bit on her. Then Anna comes in about 1/4 of the way through.

I am going to state right off the bat that I wasn’t a fan of Anna. I didn’t like her from the beginning and how she was always on Tom about Rachel. I honestly can’t blame Rachel because she did lose her husband to Anna because of the affair she and Tom where having. Gradually towards the end I started to like her but not very much.

Rachel was a train wreck waiting to happen and it was a story line you just had to read to watch it unfold. Yes Rachel is an alcoholic and she doesn’t deal with things very well but due to the emotional abuse she was going through do you blame her? I can’t imagine what it would be like to be told you will never have children especially if you really want one. With her problem with alcohol she basically has to hit rock bottom for her to see things aren’t that great.

I have to say that I was beginning to think that perhaps in one of her drunken states she might have had something do to with Megan’s disappearance because of certain things that had happened and this was when the book got really interesting and things began to unfold.

I was speechless when it got to the point that things were coming up. I had not seen that one coming and I think I literally sat there with my mouth open in shock. At this point I was unable to put the book down and spent the morning rushing to finish it up because I needed to know what was going to happen.

If your looking for a fun and thrilling read then I have to recommend this. Yes it starts off slow but once you hit the half way mark you will be engrossed in the book and unable to put it down.

Meme/Waiting on Wednesday #21 BEA Buzz Book

Posted on May 27, 2015April 13, 2015 by Cindy

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine and its spotlights upcoming books that we are eagerly waiting for. I plan on including upcoming releases and books that are already released.

This week I am featuring:

From the acclaimed author of How to Love comes another stunning contemporary novel, perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen.

Molly Barlow is facing one long, hot summer—99 days—with the boy whose heart she broke and the boy she broke it for . . . his brother.

Day 1: Julia Donnelly eggs my house my first night back in Star Lake, and that’s how I know everyone still remembers everything. She has every right to hate me, of course: I broke Patrick Donnelly’s heart the night everything happened with his brother, Gabe. Now I’m serving out my summer like a jail sentence: Just ninety-nine days till I can leave for college and be done.

Day 4: A nasty note on my windshield makes it clear Julia isn’t finished. I’m expecting a fight when someone taps me on the shoulder, but it’s just Gabe, home from college and actually happy to see me. “For what it’s worth, Molly Barlow,” he says, “I’m really glad you’re back.”

Day 12: Gabe wouldn’t quit till he got me to come to this party, and I’m surprised to find I’m actually having fun. I think he’s about to kiss me—and that’s when I see Patrick. My Patrick, who’s supposed to be clear across the country. My Patrick, who’s never going to forgive me.

Welcome BEA Visitors 2015

Posted on May 24, 2015May 25, 2015 by Cindy

Hi Book Expo America 2015 attendees,

Welcome to Cindy’s Love of Books. Perhaps your a blogger, author, PR person or someone I met in line waiting for a drink/food or to meet an author. Perhaps you are a publisher or PR person and I spoke with you at Javits or another event in New York during the week.

However you found me, I’m really glad you did. My name is Cindy and I run Cindy’s Love of Book. You can check out my About Me page to learn all about me and my blog. If you’re interested in a review, check out my review policy. If you’d like to contact me please do so by my emailing me at cindy@cindysloveofbooks(DOT)com or on Twitter @cindyloveofbook.

This is my seven year blogging and I have been loving every minute of it. This will be my fourth time attending BEA.

I look forward to hearing from you wither its to chat, review books or anything else.

To Cindy’s Love of Books readers,

I haven’t forgotten you guys! Cindy’s Love of Books will continue as usual without me. I’ve have reviews and other stuff scheduled to post this week. I will hopefully try to have mini posts from NY and BEA posted nightly if possible although I have to admit I’m not sure I will be able to since I usually try to make the most out of my NYC/BEA trip.

Hopefully I will able to offer little give aways to those who weren’t able to attend BEA this year. I will be looking out for things that I can offer up as give ways to you guys. Any suggestions?

If you need me for anything, you can still contact me through email or Twitter, though it may take me slightly longer than usual to respond.

Have a good week everyone.

Review/ Courtney Crumrin The Final Spell Vol.6

Posted on May 22, 2015May 16, 2015 by Cindy

Courtney Crumin The Final Spell Series: Courtney Crumrin #6

Format: Hardcover
Published by Oni Press on August 20, 2014
Pages: 152

On the run from the Coven with her former teacher Calpurnia, Courtney Crumrin is quickly learning just how sinister the witches and warlocks of Hillsborough can be - but she never thought she'd see the day when Uncle Aloysius turned on her as well. It's a lot harder to fight a battle when the only family you care about is against you, and Courtney's only salvation may lie in the Twilight Kingdom - and away from the mortal world. But Aloysius won't give up his niece so easily, even if he has to fight the night creatures to do it!

Originally this was suppose to be the final book in the Courtney Crumrin series but I see they did another volume which I am just about to read.

Like the previous books it picks right up where volume 5 ended which I think is really nice. I am sure they could have combined all the comics into one volume or even two but that is just my opinion.

This will be basically a mini review because I don’t want to give to much away. This was a quick read and I really enjoyed this one. Its nice to see how much Courtney has grown from the first volume. She is a cute and spunky girl who takes nothing from no one.

Courtney is reunited with her former teacher Calpurnia and they are on the run from the Coven. It seems like everyone has turned on Courtney even her uncle. It appears like Courtney knows too much and they are trying to get to her and make her forget everything she knows but will she allow that?

In this volume Courtney dominates and lets nothing stand in her way.

This was a fast pace read.

Review/ Courtney Crumrin The Witch Next Door Vol 5

Posted on May 21, 2015May 16, 2015 by Cindy

Courtney Crumrin, Volume 5: The Witch Next Door Series: Courtney Crumrin #5

by Ted Naifeh
Format: Hardcover
Published by Oni Press on May 14th 2014
Pages: 148
Goodreads
Genres: Comics & Graphic Novels, General, Young Adult

The first five issues of the full-color Courtney Crumrin comic series are collected for the first time in a special hardcover edition! Holly Hart is new to Hillsborough and witchcraft. When her family moves in next to Courtney, the two girls quickly become friends. But as Courtney watches Holly making the same mistakes she once made, she begins to have second thoughts about teaching the girl magic. And when Holly sees the aftermath of the other children's

One of the good things about getting back into the library is being able to catch up on some graphic novels that I discovered last summer and imagine my surprise when I discovered that the next three volumes of Courtney Crumrin were out. I quickly borrowed them because I wanted to catch up.

The Witch Next Door is volume 5 and they are super quick reads. It picks right up from where volume 4 left off which is really nice.

In this graphic novel a new girl (Holly) moves in and its right across from Courtney’s uncle’s house. Courtney is thrilled to finally have a friend and things are going really good until magic steps in between their friendship. Courtney and Holly get along so well because they both are deemed as outcast and appear to be exactly alike in manner and style of clothing. I think Holly is thrilled to finally have found a friend.

I don’t want to say much more about the book because I can literally give it away. Its a really good read and if your a fan of dark graphic novels then I have to recommend this. It was nice to see how much Courtney has grown emotionally, mentally and magically.