Demon Seed

Hey there!

This weeks review is on Demon Seed by Dean Koontz.

Susan Harris lived in self-imposed seclusion, in a mansion featuring numerous automated systems controlled by a state-of-the-art computer. Every comfort was provided, and in this often unsafe world of ours, her security was absolute. But now her security system has been breached, her sanctuary from the outside world violated by an insidious artificial intelligence, which has taken control of her house.In the privacy of her own home, and against her will, Susan will experience an inconceivable act of terror. She will become the object of the ultimate computer's consuming obsession: to learn everything there is to know about the flesh... 

So this was like a modern Frankenstein with more technology. It was pretty cool and a little frightening. This is definitely one of his darker books with a lot of physical domination that is sexually fueled. And it's all done through.... a computer. Now this was written in 1973 could Dean Koontz be onto something? This is all about a computer living, I have a feeling we're not so far behind Koontz's imagination now. The 1997 rewrite is not as good. He removes a lot of what makes the story frightening and on edge. The 1997 rewrite is cheesy and it is completely from the computer's viewpoint and closer to romance than thriller. The computer just says the same thing over and over, which could be because he's a computer and programmed a certain way but it's not because he breaks out of the lab he's in. It was definitely entertaining and a quick read. The end was definitely funny and probably the best part of the book and NOT BECAUSE IT ENDED. If you are going to pick up this book, pick up the 1973 version and not 1997's. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

Happy reading!
Mackenzie

Calling All YA Readers

Hello everybody!

I have some exciting news!

I found this great subscription box!

It's a book box called Uppercase Box. I say YA readers because it is one hand-picked Young Adult book a month plus bookish items. Cool right?

I know you probably all want to see it, so I present you with the three I received so far.

April: This Uppercase Box included a signed copy of The Start of Me and You  by Emery Lord. It also included a little framed picture, a handwritten note to me, book magnets, and an I Love Max Watson pin. Great first box! But they get better.

May: This box included a signed copy of The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey. Another framed picture, a book notebook, and a "Wicked is Good" sticker from The Scorch Trials.

June:This most recent box I received yesterday. And it was the best one yet! This box included The Wrath and The Dawn and a signed book plate by Renee Ahdeih. It also came with a BookiEmoji tote bag, stickers, and book mark. Probably the best part of all was the scarf that was inspired my the cover. 

I just started receiving these in April but I can't wait for more! I look forward to it every month and buy them for the rest of my life. Just simply go to uppercasebox.com to order your own. It's about $30 with shipping and it's so worth it. There's also an option to choose your own more specific box but I love the variety and surprise.

Happy reading!
Mackenzie

Designated Ugly Fat Friend

Welcome back!

My question this week is:

How do you feel about the term The Duff, or Designated Ugly Fat Friend?

As always leave your comments below. Also leave any suggestions of how you think I can improve my blog.

Keep reading!
Mackenzie

The Duff

Hey there!

This week I'm reviewing The Duff  by Kody Keplinger.

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper may not be the prettiest girl in her high school, but she has a loyal group of friends, a biting wit, and a spot-on BS detector. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. But things aren't so great at home and Bianca, desperate for a distraction, ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone. 

This was like the one book that I saw the movie before reading the book because I didn't know it was a book. This book was charming and funny, but I really hated the concept. The Designated Ugly Fat Friend. That's awful! Although at the end it gets turned into a good message blah blah blah. This book was obviously written by a teenager. She is a talented one though. It was extremely cliche. I am a sucker for YA so even though it was a obvious ending I was still pleased. But what was the main character thinking! I mean come on! If I was her I would totally make different choices because the situation was just ridiculous. But it was still funny and I did get kind of sucked in. I gave it 3 out of 4 stars.

Keep reading!
Mackenzie

Birthday Book Haul

Hello!

So twice a year I allow myself to place a large order of books. The first is during June right after my birthday. So last Wednesday I placed an order and they have been slowly trickling in. Today I'll show you what I've gotten this week and then I'll update you when the rest come in.

Here we have Attachments, The Book of Unknown Americans, Redeployment, The Joy Luck Club, Elephant Company, The Children Act, The Art of Racing in the Rain, Euphoria, The Thirteenth Tale, Tell the Wolves I'm Home, Fight Club, and Horrorstor.  All of these were part of Barnes and Nobles 2 for $20 summer reading book promotion. ( Go check it out)

Clearly this is The Heir the fourth book in The Selection series.  The first three are still on their way.

Finally, March, The Strange Library, The Martian (which I'm reading now), I Am Malala, The Rosie Project, and The Clan of the Cave Bears

Lots of books to read and review. But since I read faster than I post reviews it may take a while for you to see these. If you think I should post more reviews a week leave a comment down below and let me know how often.

Keep reading!
Mackenzie

One Final Night

Hello there!

This week my review is on One Final Night by Wendy L. Young.

Mel and Paul, like many modern couples, seem to have it all. But beneath the thin veneer of a successful, happy life trouble has eaten away the once-strong foundation of their relationship. It all comes crashing out in one final, fateful - and shocking - night.

C
One Final Night
Book of Lost Things (The)
R
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.

Seventh Son

This was a fairly short book BUT it was actually really good. Young did fantastic work in under 100 pages that some authors can't get done in 300. For the short amount of pages she had it was great.  I did not expect the ending. Although I guess in a short story there are less pages to give away too much information. This book still haunts me. It was a little cliche but most books are, I'm happier that there was an element of surprise. Everything is realistic: characters, dialogue, situation. If you are looking for a quick, good read I highly recommend this book. It gave me chills and I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

Keep reading!
Mackenzie

Paper Towns

Hey there!

Obviously I am on a John Green kick because my book review this week is for Paper Towns.

Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life - dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge - he follows. After their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues - and they're for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer Q gets, the less Q sees the girl he thought he knew. 

These characters are pretty much the same. In fact the stories are all very similar just in different settings. Although this book makes a great palette cleanser. It's less of an emotional roller coaster than his other books, which is nice for a change. This book addresses high school cliques but not in a normal way.  It's like a high school coming together. The beginning of the book was great, mysterious and suspenseful. The second part just kept repeating itself and somewhat anti-climatic. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

Happy reading!
Mackenzie 

The Bell Jar

Hello there!

This week's review is of The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.

The Bell Jar chronicles the crack-up of Esther Greenwood: brilliant, beautiful, enormously talented, and successful, but slowly going under -- maybe for the last time. Sylvia Plath masterfully draws the reader into Esther's breakdown with such intensity that Esther's insanity becomes completely real and even rational, as probable and accessible an experience as going to the movies. Such deep penetration into the dark and harrowing corners of the psyche is an extraordinary accomplishment and has made The Bell Jar a haunting American classic.

I can see why this book is a classic. This book takes you into the downward of depression and leaves nothing out. As a victim of anxiety I could totally relate to some pieces of this story. Plath touches on subjects that not many authors (especially at that time) will touch and she does a fantastic. You can definitely feel a piece of Sylvia Plath's soul in this book. It was so raw and emotional. There are not enough words to describe how great this book is. I gave it a 5 out of 5 stars.

Keep reading!
Mackenzie