Review- Boy, Girl, Wise One by Anthony Coleman

Lulu.com  Summary: 

We live in a society that has accepted and adjusted to negativity to the point where ignorance is approved. Corruption has took over and truth has been forgotten. Engage in the wisdom of the Wise one who gives clarification to the daily problems that our youth are facing and the guidance of how to solve them.

REVIEW:

*NOTE: We (The Readdicts) received a copy of  Boy, Girl, Wise One from author Anthony Coleman in exchange for an honest review. We thank Anthony for the book! 

Anthony Coleman's Boy, Girl, Wise One is a book in the form of dialogues or conversation, where questions are posed to the Wise One by the boy and girl. These are questions that concern the youth, the answers of which leave the boy and girl with a new perspective and a capacity for intellectual contemplation. 
Everyday, we see, observe and experience things that we find problematic. We are faced with situations that make us want to question ourselves and human behaviour in general. The boy and girl in the book are just like any ordinary youth. They have tons of questions and having experienced the ups and downs of a teenage life, their questions are genuine. I thought that at times the questions were too wise and heavy to be posed by the youth. The Wise One gave very simple and believable answers with relatable examples. Yes, there were times when I agreed with something and times when I didn't. Overall, however, I liked how practical the answers were, how importance was given to loving yourself before anyone else and the whole notion of not being able to give something that you yourself don't have. 
I do not read self-help books, and I don't know if Boy, Girl, Wise One falls under the genre, but it was an average read with a couple of great things to take back. I honestly would not have picked it up by myself. It is safe to say that this book could be made a necessary read for school students, who will find the book informative and practical, the questions easy to relate to and something that bothers them as well and the Wise One as someone they could admire and possibly look up to. 

RATING:

X 3

Sarika

Waiting On Wednesday #16

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

All The Right Moves by Ever Leigh

Publication Date: January 2013

Goodreads Summary:

Life for Lilah has become too predictable. Convinced she needs a bit of a challenge and change of pace in her life, she moves away for college and embarks on a new journey of self-discovery.

A college town, new friends, and a new romance with a mysterious older guy that may prove to be an even bigger challenge then she bargained for!

Note: Not suitable for younger readers. Contains mature content including sexual situations.

I love the sound of this book. It seems different and fresh. 

What are you waiting on?

Sarika

Teaser Tuesday #16

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Miz B of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

                                                            Here's my teaser-

" He's the need and the sparks and the laughter, and he touches my heart in a way it's never been touched before. It's terrifying and so honest it makes me dizzy. "

-Dizzy by Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry

Summary-

Dylan doesn’t do relationships. He and his older brother watched their dad go through hell and back, so they made a pact years ago—no girl would come between the Gibson boys. But his brother sells out. He's getting married anyway. To the sister of a chick Dylan met at a party, who's probably the angriest girl he's ever met. Unfortunately, she happens to be hot, too.

Ziah’s life is upside down—her safe boyfriend turns out to be not-so-safe, and now her sister is getting married before college is over to the older brother of a spoiled, party boy who drives her crazy. And also makes her heart beat too fast.

There’s no denying the attraction, but there's also no denying how much they irritate each other. When they’re thrown together as forced wedding planners, they find an ally in each other--neither wants this wedding to happen.

But instead of putting a stop to the crazy nuptials they find themselves at fittings and cake testing. And maybe even…a few dates?
Dizzy is a novel about what happens when two people who are determined not to fall in love, maybe do anyway. Maybe.

                                                                                What's your teaser tuesday?

                                                                                  Janhvi

Review- Dysfunctional Romance! by Derrick Hudson

Goodreads Summary:

Barry Shaws’s whirlwind journey through life was shaped by the growing demands of a multitude of disorders, which meant he tended to clean things repeatedly and aggressively, before they had the chance to murder him!

Barry thrived on routine. If it hadn’t happened before, it was unlikely to happen ever…until he collided into her that is. On that fateful day, as he walked to work, stepping from the centre of one pavement stone to the next, he crashed into Sandra Wiggins, who had also been discreetly avoiding the dreaded cracks. It was lust at first sight. Love would have to wait. Apart, they were just weird, but together, they were pure mental!

This is the bittersweet, often hillarious story of two human lovebirds, destined to spend their calamitous lives together…until something extraordinary occurs that threatens to decimate what remains of their limited sanity. Welcome to the New World Order, created when Barry met his Miss. Match!

REVIEW:

You know you've read an absolutely great book when just the thought it makes you smile long after you've read it! It was while writing this review that I realised how much I loved Barry and Sandra's story, how unforgettable it is and that Dysfunctional Romance! deserves 4.5 contrary to the initial 4 stars I'd given it on Goodreads!  

I've been transfixed by all things Irish since a long time now. Besides being a lovely country, from what I've read and heard, Irish people are very pleasant, warm and fun loving. So the moment I saw Derick Hudson's Dysfunctional Romance! and realised that it was about a young Irish couple, I knew I had to read it, no matter what. When Derick Hudson announced the date on which the book would be free on Amazon, I marked it on my calendar and began reading it immediately after downloading my copy. And boy! I am absolutely happy I read Dysfunctional Romance! 
The story of Barry Shaw and Sandra Wiggins, Dysfunctional Romance! gives love stories a whole new, fresh, clean, hilarious, practical and a completely blows-my-mind-away-it's-THAT-abso-freaking-lutely lovely twist. Every bit of this book was fun, fun and more fun. 
Both Barry and Sandra have their own complexities, complications and a set of anxiety disorders. They are, in the most odd and twisted way, perfect for each other. I loved reading about their relationship from the time they accidentally bumped into each other on the sidewalk to the time when Sandra gave birth to their precious little twins. The banter between the two was brisk. The way they did what they did and the way in which they did it was uproarious and humorous. Reading about Barry and Sandra's families and workplace was exhilarating. 
There are some scenes from this novel that I know are going to remain with me forever, the most memorable being the one where, on their first date, Sandra sneezes and her lens falls in her wine glass! And how can I forget the one in which Sandra, a citizen of Ireland, almost calls 911 when Barry experiences a mini heart attack! 
From the prologue to the epilogue, from chapter 1 to chapter 77, from location 1 to location 5709 or from 1% to 100% (on Kindle), Dysfunctional Romance! is a full-on fun-filled roller coaster ride. My bed literally shook with my laughter while reading this one. Author Derick Hudson has written a refreshing, bright, light-hearted and totally hilarious novel that keeps you smiling from start to end. Without a doubt, this is one of the funniest- no, hell no, this is THE most funniest book I've ever read. 

RATING:

X 4.5

Sarika

Review- Flawed by Kate Avelynn

Summary-

Sarah O’Brien is alive because of the pact she and her brother made twelve years ago — James will protect her from their violent father if she promises to never leave him. For years, she’s watched James destroy his life to save hers. If all he asks for in return is her affection, she’ll give it freely.

Until, with a tiny kiss and a broken mind, he asks for more than she can give.

Sam Donavon has been James’ best friend — and the boy Sarah’s had a crush on — for as long as she can remember. As their forbidden relationship deepens, Sarah knows she’s in trouble. Quiet, serious Sam has decided he’s going to save her. Neither of them realizes James is far more unstable than her father ever was, or that he’s not about to let Sarah forget her half of the pact . . .

Review-

I was awaiting the release of Flawed since a really long time. The blurb made it sound different and unique. I wanted to dive in and explore it. Maybe my expectations were too high but I was sorely disappointed in the book as a whole.

Flawed is told from Sarah's point of view. She lives in a home with a drug addicted mother and a drunk abusive father. Having no one else to rely on she and her brother James depend on each other for anything and everything. James promises to protect Sarah from their violent father if she promises never to leave him.

I could not relate to Sarah at all. She was not a perfect person and that was fine but I just felt so many times that she could have done things differently. All the lying and guilt and secrets made it difficult for me to sympathize with her and her situation. Then comes in Sam, the typical older brother's best friend trying to save her.

Sam was a seemingly perfect guy but I felt that he just did not stand up for himself or for Sarah when the time actually came. His too perfectness and too much of sweetness made it hard for me to make it believable. Then adding to all this is James' attraction to Sarah. He's in love with his sister. The whole incest situation was also not well explored. Instead of making me feel all the emotions Sarah's going through in the book it just made me want to get it over with.

The end was not at all satisfying. Maybe the point of it was to shock the readers with all the torture but it completely failed to do so. I wanted there to be more. More substance. The book aimed for dark and depressing but it wasn't - in a good way at least. All the angst and drama portrayed in the book failed to touch me and sadly the book was a flop for me. 

 X 2.5

                   Janhvi

                                                        

Review- Angel by Laura Lee

Goodreads Summary:

Since the loss of his lively, charming wife to cancer six years ago, minister Paul Tobit has been operating on autopilot, performing his religious duties by rote. Everything changes the day he enters the church lobby and encounters a radiant, luminous being lit from behind, breathtakingly beautiful and glowing with life. An angel. For a moment Paul is so moved by his vision that he is tempted to fall on his knees and pray.

Even after he regains his focus and realizes he simply met a flesh-and-blood young man, Paul cannot shake his sense of awe and wonder. He feels an instant and overwhelming attraction for the young man, which puzzles him even as it fills his thoughts and fires his feelings. Paul has no doubt that God has spoken to him through this vision, and Paul must determine what God is calling him to do.

Thus begins a journey that will inspire Paul’s ministry but put him at odds with his church as he is forced to examine his deeply held beliefs and assumptions about himself, his community, and the nature of love.

REVIEW:

*NOTE: Author Laura Lee provided us (The Readdicts) with a copy of her book, Angel. We thank Laura for the book! 

When I read the Free Kindle Sample for Angel, I knew this was a book that I had to read, and author Laura Lee very kindly provided me a copy of it even though I took a long time to get back to her. 
Although I tend and try to stay away from religion-based books, Angel became an exception and from the beginning to the middle until the end, I was just so absorbed in it and I'm more than glad that I read it. It is a story that is going to stay with me for a very long time simply because of it's depth and the contemplation that comes along with it. 

Angel takes up the issue of Christianity and homosexuality in a contemporary and spiritual and not at all imposing way.
Paul Tobit is the Minister in a church, a place that he holds very dear since that is where he himself was taught to believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Extremely depressed after losing his lovely wife, Sara, due to cancer, he finds his life to have became monotonous, until there comes a time when an unusual, straight-laced and utterly graceful being walks into the Church. 

Attendant of the Church's Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, blessed with glorious looks, been through a troubled past, Ian is immediately the focus of the Church staff because of his unbelievable beauty. For Paul, Ian is a being sent to him by God... a miracle, an angel. 
Paul and Ian share an absolutely splendid relationship. I liked reading about how they met, what went into making their relationship into what it became. Their attraction towards each other was view-able and hard to miss.  
24 year old Ian was exceptional. He questioned the teachings of the Church. His comebacks and retorts were really clever. I loved how dedicated he was to Paul and how he was willing to try and change only for Paul. Ian was open and free about his sexuality and that was one the most significant trait that he possessed. 
Paul was an extremely kind and helpful man. There were times when I was irritated with him for not giving his relationship with Ian all the respect that it deserved. It is understandable that, being the Minister of the Church and having to maintain a clean and proper image, if not for himself than for the regular religious devotees of the Church; but that didn't mean he could just deny and neglect the importance of Ian in his life in public. 

The end of Paul and Ian's story was delicate, pure, realistic and totally perfect.
Author Laura Lee's writing is poetic and has a subtle flow. Angel is an absolutely impressive work of literature that opened my mind and made me think about how, even though religion teaches us to love, it comes with it's set of complications. I am not the most appropriate person to preach or even talk about religion, but I can say that Angel takes on a sensitive issue with elegance. A few excerpts from famous works and information on Mount Rainier (where Paul later works as a tourist guide/bus driver) were very enlightening to read. 
Angel is a distinct novel that is truly splendid. In no way does the book criticize the Church or it's teachings, it simply looks at something emotional and personal with an open yet oddly narrow perspective.  I know I haven't exactly praised this brilliant work the way it deserves to be praised, and that's because the book has left me stunned and speechless and it is difficult to describe it's beauty. All I say is that Angel is an enlightening, and completely opulent piece of work. Laura Lee's writing is truly charming and captivating.

RATING:

X 4

Sarika

"Christmas Books" Giveaway (INT)

Janhvi and I are both excited as this is the first time we're taking part in a Giveaway Hop! 

It's December, the month of Christmas! 

What better than to sit and read a nice Christmas book?

Thanks to Kathy @ I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Laurie @ Laurie Here, who are hosting the CHRISTMAS BOOKS GIVEAWAY HOP, you can now read plenty of Christmas books this holiday season! 

"Christmas Books" Giveaway Hop

December 1st to 7th

Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Laurie Here

What you can win @ The Readdicts! 

For our giveaway, author Kay Springsteen has generously offered one ecopy of her novel, Operation: Christmas Hearts. The giveaway is International! 

I (Sarika) read the book last Christmas, and it's one of the most wonderful and heart-warming stories ever. A perfect Christmas read! 

Now onto the giveaway! Giveaway rules are easy: 

*Enter by filling out the Rafflecopter form below. 

*The winner will be announced here on the blog and emailed. 

*After the winner is picked, they will have 48 hours to respond or else we'll be compelled to pick another winner. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Please note that if you want to gain an entry by the "Leave a Blog Post Comment" option, you must comment on the post.  

Thank you so much for stopping by and taking part in our giveaway! 
We wish you all MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 

               Janhvi & Sarika

P.S: There are plenty more blogs participating in the Christmas Books Giveaway Hop! Don't forget to stop by them. :)