Tell me Something Tuesday: Reading Habits

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.

How have your reading habits changed since you started blogging?

I started blogging years and years ago now so it is hard to remember how my habits were before…but I think overall my habits have changed especially in the last couple of years. 

I may not read as much, but I read more constantly. I have a more consistent reading habit. In my youth I would usually read for hours and hours nonstop and get a couple of books done at a time and take a couple days off. Oooo the free time I had! Now, I have to really make time for it. During lunches, breaks, waiting in line, listening to audiobooks, walking, before bed, when I wake up, and random down times throughout the day. 

I also have been more “caught up” with newer books. Since I started blogging I am able to read the newest books because 1) I have an adult job and I can buy whatever I want and 2) Sites like Netgalley exist and I get asked once in a while by publishers/authors. It is fun, but it does take away focus from my TBR list sometimes. 

Overall, I think my habits have changed because of blogging. 

Ooo Mamyia

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Off the Grid by Monica McCarty

Audio CD, 11 h

Expected publication: July 24th 2018 by Tantor Audio (first published July 3rd 2018)

The Lost Platoon #2

Romantic Suspense

Narrator: Charles Lawrence

Speed: 1.8x

For review

My thoughts:

John was hiding out in Finland! Wohoo. Though the bad thing is that I am very aware that the narrator did not pronounce the city he was in or the name of his friend correctly. He said it more like it was written, which is wrong. See, those thing I would not have know if John had not been in Finland!

An op went wrong. Now 6 seals are hiding. John chose Finland and makes it sound very awesome up north if I can say. I doubt it is that fun off season. There are blondes and he drinks. He is a good guy, but he is not meant to do "nothing" (of course he has a job and even saved a life, but I guess that is nothing for him.)

Then there is Brittany that we heard about in book 1. She has been writing articles about missing seals and she is a bloodhound. In a good way. She wants to find out what happened to her brother.

So they will meet. And did I mention that they had a fling 5 years ago and she is so not over him ;)

There is also danger since someone do not like her articles. And of course the Seals want to keep on hiding.

And I must not forget. Another couple got a lot of time in the spotlight, and yes it was a bit strange. Cold and Kate are trying to find out what happened too and they too have a history. Their story is not over in this book so I guess it will spill over into the next one. I did like them but dang that man has issues.

Conclusion:

Romance, suspense and the hunt continues to catch a traitor. I enjoyed the ride

Narration

He did a great job (even if he can not pronounce Levi ;) I liked him more than the narrator for book 1 and he does feel great for this one

Blurb:

A team of Navy SEALs go on a mission and disappear without a trace-they are The Lost Platoon. Investigative reporter Brittany Blake may have stumbled upon the story of a lifetime in her search for her missing brother. When he seemingly disappears overnight, she refuses to accept the Navy's less-than-satisfying explanation. She begins her own investigation, which leads her to top-secret SEAL teams, covert ops, and a possible cover up . . . John Donovan is having trouble biding his time, waiting for his Commanding Officer to figure out who set up their platoon. John's best friend and BUD/S partner, Brandon Blake, was one of the many lives tragically lost in the attack against his team. When Brandon's sister, Brittany, tracks John down, looking for answers, he realizes that she may be their best bet-or bait-for finding out who is targeting SEAL Team Nine. Contains mature themes. 

Book Review: The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

Author: Brunonia Barry
Title: The Lace Reader
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, & Magical Realism 
Pages: 390
Published: 2006 
Where I Got It: Borrowed from friend



In the tradition of The Thirteenth Tale, Brunonia Barry’s bewitching gothic novel, The Lace Reader, is a phenomenon. Called “[a] richly imagined saga of passion, suspense, and magic” by Time Magazine, it is a haunting and remarkable tale told by an unforgettable, if strangely unreliable narrator—a woman from an enigmatic Salem family who can foretell the future in patterns of lace. The Lace Reader was a runaway New York Times bestseller—hitting the top lists in major cities across the country, from Boston to Chicago to Los Angeles—and has immediately established debut author Brunonia Barry as a major force in contemporary American fiction.

My friend suggested I give this a read since she had read it and wasn't completely sure on her feelings, so she wanted to see what I thought and she thought I might like it may be more than she did. 

I am unsure, to be honest. 

The story follows Towner who can read lace. She had left town to get away from the drama and the town. Things happen and she must return so she can help try and solve the mystery of her Great-aunt's disappearance who had taught her the way of reading lace. She really doesn't want to since she will be facing a lot of drama and memories that haunt her. 

Unreliable narrators are always tricky. They can be interesting but then there is that shadow over the story so it can make it hard to truly grasp or understand the story. Which there really were times I was so doubtful that I just assumed none of it was real or accurate. I wanted to feel bad for Towner, but I had a hard time believing her especially since had that brain thing done to her which messed with her memory. 

The characters were the most interesting part of the story, but the story itself? Eh. I had a hard time really getting into the story because it was so stagnant and at times it was confused on what type of story it wanted to be. When things DID happen, it HAPPENED and I was hooked. However, there were very few times. 

Overall, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't good. It was simply just okay. The only thing that saved it from being bad was the characters. I was intrigued by them, but the story fell flat for me. I'll give this 2 stars. 

Movie Review: Just Friends (2005)

Film Title: Just Friends

Length: 1 hr and 36 mins 
Released: 2005
Genre:  Comedy, Romance 
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Netflix


SUMMARY:
While visiting his hometown during Christmas, a man comes face-to-face with his old high school crush whom he was best friends with -- a woman whose rejection of him turned him into a ferocious womanizer.

TRAILER:

REVIEW:
I had watched this years and years ago and I enjoyed it. This popped on Netflix so why not? I was craving a romantic comedy and who doesn't like a little xmas in July?

Chris was a fat guy in High School in love with his best friend who was the prettiest girl in school. After being embarrassed he runs off and changes his life around. He loses the weight and becomes a stud. He becomes a rep or manager for musicians. Things happen and he lands back in his hometown and comes face-to-face with his old friend and first love. 

OOOOOH Chris. Just because you were friend zoned in High School and now you are hot does not mean you can be a jerk. He is a womanizer and he did not deserve Jamie right away. I'm glad he had to have some realizations and had to really work and earn Jamie. Maybe he should've TOLD Jamie in High School he loved her and wanted to be his boyfriend. 

This was a funny film. Very goofy, but there are some feels here especially near the end. I could relate to Chris in some ways. However, he was jerky there for a bit.

My only real complaint, why did his old High School friends take him back? He totally blew them off for yearssssssssss! I would be so annoyed and not really willing to help him out. They are too nice and that felt unrealistic how quickly they forgave him for running away and never hanging out. There were a few unrealistic scenes, but that one really bugged me. 

This is is a fun film to watch especially if you are looking for a comedy with some romance. It is not your typical com-rom film. Which is refreshing for the genre! If you need a refreshing film to laugh and enjoy on a cloudy day, I recommend this. 

I'll stamp this with 3 stars.