Saturday, June 25, 2011

A Sweeter Rhythm: Short Story Review

At the request of T.L. Peters, I am honored to review this story.

A Sweeter Rhythm by T.L. Peters

Now on sale at the following online book sellers:


Summary: This story follows the life of a violin as it recounts its many ups and downs over the centuries, changing hands between those who love it and those who don't. (It was previously published by RED OCHRE LiT as A Sweeter Kind of Rhythm.)

My Thoughts: The first impression I got was that I loved the personality that this violin had.  It had a quirky personality that was all it's own and was quite a character. 
As the violin started to tell his story in detail about what happened to him over the years, I got sucked deeper and deeper into wanting to learn more about this violin. It had a strong voice, but unlike any other hero/heroine readers are used to because of the unusual nature of this particular character. 
Peters did a fantastic job using emotion in everything he wrote. He wove a layered story complete with detail and descriptions that were very intriguing. Having not read anything before by T.L. Peters, I am delighted to say that I will surely be looking into his other works. 

An all around feel-good story that stole my heart!

Cover: 3
Plot: 3.5
Characters: 4
Style of Writing: 5
Overall: 4.5

Would I ever read from this author again?: Yes!
Learn more about T.L. Peters at his blog:

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Update/Plans for the Summer



UPDATE:

Whew! It's already June 19th! OK, so let's see...SCHOOL IS OVER IN 3 1/2 DAYS!!! Boo-yahh ;) But even with everything winding down, nothing is really getting more relaxing. I just had a crazy week with finals and handing in all these final projects and presentations almost every day last week.

AND...Monday (tomorrow) I still have to hand in one more project in one class and present in another class! I have get two tests that need correcting, hand those in, then on Tuesday we have ONE.MORE.TEST. *sigh* Then Wednesday we have an all day field trip to some state park and then Thursday is a half day! Then...............drum roll, please...............SUMMER!!!!

SUMMER PLANS:

Summer. What a wonderful word. Sleeping late, pool time, popcicles, watermelon, BBQ's and time with the family. 

I have some summer plans for the blog as well: Starting in July, I'm challenging myself to read 30 books over the months of my summer vacation. (I will be posting a list of books soon)  I will be involved in some mini-challenges over at Holes in My Brain and others.

Reviews, fun posts, giveaways and more! Stay tuned for a long, happy summer here at A Corner of My Bookshelf!

I have been so bad at posting lately, but stick with me, because I have some great things in mind for these next couple months...it will be good :)

What do you have planed?

Happy Sunday/Father's Day!

~Zoe 


Sunday, June 5, 2011

Lock and Key

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

Publication Date: 2008
Publisher: Speak
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Pages: 422 
Source: Borrowed from a friend


Summary: Ruby is used to taking care of herself. But now she's living in a fancy new house with her sister Cora—a sister she hasn't seen in ten years—and her husband Jamie—creator of one of the most popular online networking sites. She's attending private school, wearing new clothes, and for the first time, feels the promise of a future that include college and her family. So why is she so wary? And what is Nate— the adorable and good-hearted boy next door— hiding behind his genial nature? As Ruby starts to see, there's a big difference between being given help, and being able to accept it. And sometimes, in order to save yourself, you've got to reach out to someone else.

My Thoughts: Wow! This was my second Sarah Dessen book I have ever read and I must just say, "Wow!". She deffintely impressed me with this one. It started out really slow but soon enough, I really got into it. I fell in love with the character Ruby and the way that her story weaved into everything about her.

Her love interest, Nate, wasn't my favorite boy character to fall in love with the heroine. But I thought he was portrayed well.


The only thing that I would have changed would have been the way that Dessen seemed to stretch out everything. I think shorter and too-the-point scenes would have been just as satisfying.

Cover: 3.5
Plot: 4
Characters: 4
Style of writing: 5
Overall: 4

Would I ever read from this author again?: Yes! I am just now starting Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen.


*ALSO...I have been such a bad blogger lately! I have been so busy and not reading as much as I would have hoped/liked to so I haven't been finishing many books. UGH! Be sure to stay tuned, (not too corny, right?!) because I will surely have more to come!*
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