50 Shades of Darker

Ahh the second book of this fascinating trilogy. And I have to admit, it just keeps getting better.  Prepare yourselves, my loves to not be able to put this book down until you have finished it.  And even then be prepared to just want to to pick up the third book and continue to read the story.

After experiencing first hand just how bad it can get, Ana left controlling billionaire Christian Grey. His BDSM tastes were too dark for her to handle. Why is she reconsidering now? Fifty proposes a tempting arrangement. He is prepared to try and give her what she desires most. More. It isn’t an easy road for them, though. Ana must learn about herself; the strength she carries within, while Fifty needs to face his demons while also attempting to open up to her. Forces from his past and present are conspiring against the two. Can they make their relationship work? Is ‘more’ enough for tortured Fifty Shades? A story of how love can conquer all.

The cliffhanger-ending of Fifty Shades of Grey had me needing to download the second book immediately to find out what happens. It was such a relief to download of the second book in the Fifty Shades series to my Kindle; until I read the Prologue. Jeezzzz! Prepare yourselves for a not too happy beginning.  On a brighter note: I was so happy to see Ana and Fifty back together, even though I knew they were about to face a lot of hardships; but hey, that's what makes a good book! 

 Losing Ana led to a major shift in Fifty's outlook. Fifty realized how much this “maddening, maddening woman”meant to him. The decision to get her back went hand in hand with change. Change of his priorities, change of his wants, and change of his way of thinking. It was interesting to me that Fifty wasn’t capable of taking credit for his accomplishments, I suppose that has to do with his troubled past though.  As for Ana, it wasn't surprising  that she doubted herself or why such a man would be attracted to her. Or the fact that a "normal" relationship would never be enough for Fifty.  That was one of their biggest struggles to get through.  Once they both could get past their issues, things would be so much easier for them. 

One of the major problems of the first book was that the author told very little about Fifty's past, only that he had a troubled past, and that bothered me. It was a very annoying part of the first book.  What could’ve possibly happened that made him want to control every aspect of his, and Ana’s life?  I was given a lot more insight reading Fifty Shades Darker. The title should give you a big hint.  The glimpses into Fifty’s past combined with the information he offered Ana (a huge step) helped me understand him better.  Fifty is such a fascinating character. All his faults and issues drew me in… maybe even more so than before.  Letting the readers have more information about his past made him more likable and made you root for them to work. 

What made this book so much more likable??  Fifty was funny! I found myself laughing out loud at him at several different occasions.  In spite of all the drama, the author made sure to give the reader some breathing room for giggles. I’m still not over the greatness that’s Ana’s and Fifty’s email exchange.  It was fun and flirty and funny. Also, Fifty overshot the mark from time to time, but Ana didn’t put up with it any longer. She thought carefully about which battles to fight. It was a challenge for him to accept this. Then again, sometimes she let him have his way. I understood. She took the advice of her mother, good advice that mother gives!! 

There was just as much sex in this book as the first and it was just as repetitive as in the first.  But I found myself just skimming over those scenes.  Because really, if you read one sex scene, you've read them all.  

50 Shades of Grey

50 Shades of Grey is about a soon to be college graduate who goes to interview an insanely rich CEO for her roommate who suddenly falls ill to the flu.  His name is Christian Grey, he is a condescending, bossy, stubborn, handsome 27 year old who has more money that he knows what to do with.  Ana is shy, quiet, awkward and clumsy.  Immediately there is a chemistry between the two of them which confuses them both.  Ana leaves the interview feeling flustered and Christian shows up at her job about a week later.  He asks her to dinner and approaches her with an indecent proposal, not knowing that she is an innocent virgin and she not knowing that he has some serious demons.  This is not your typical boy meets girl, lets date romance story.  He wants to dominate her and he wants her to be his submissive.  He comes up with a contract that he wants her to sign.  She's torn between her love for him and her fear for him.  She wants to know why he is so Fifty Shades of "f'k"up.  She wants to know why he is so Fifty Shades of "f'd" up. She wants to get to the bottom of what happened in his past to make him need this type of relationship and why he hates to be touched. He introduces her to the "dark side" of his sexual habits and in his desire to keep her and make her happy, tries for the "vanilla relationship" she desires. Will Ana embrace Christian's dark side or will it be more than she can handle? The way he makes love to her is so erotic, steamy, sexy and scary all at the same time. But after the first couple times, it's very repetitive.  

When I first started reading this book, I was completely unaware of the plot of the book.  I just heard about how addicting it was and how much people loved it, so I decided to give it a try.  The first chapter seemed like a normal book and then the plot hits you like a train.  I wanted to hate it because it was so disturbing but I couldn't help but grow attached to these characters. I wanted to know what happened to little Christian as a book to make him so tortured as an adult; I wanted to find out if he was going to throw away his contract to give into the thought of true love and being happy; I wanted to find out if Ana was going to try to see past Christian's demon's and see him for the lovable man that he has the potential to be. 

Although, I didn't like how repetitive the sex scenes were. She's biting her lips again. Christian wants to nail her AGAIN. Christian wants to spank her AGAIN. She's not sure if she wants him to. I preferred the more natural sex scenes to the Dominant/Submissive stuff; those seemed to be the times where Christian broke down and little by little more of him was revealed and the readers were able to understand him. Even though they were very detailed and raw, they didn't make me uncomfortable as I thought they might.  

I have to say, I started by not wanting to like this book at all because I found it so disturbing and I also had issues with the grammatical and editing overlooks.  But by the end, I got used to the way the author wrote and was able to overlook the grammatical issues and I found myself very attached to the characters in this book.  I actually, immediately downloaded the next two books on my kindle and began reading them right away. 

Catching Fire

Catching Fire

By: Suzanne Collins

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster children for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol.

ohhhhh snappp! She did it again! This book is a TOTAL cliff hanger!

Just like the end of The Hunger Games, you're going to want to start reading the third book (Mockingjay) immediately!  

I mean, it was just so good! 

I can't even really tell you much except go read it. 

This book totally blew me away like I knew it would. I loved how everything went along. You got to see alot more of the other characters, especially Gale.

 The plot was constructed such that it would be near-impossible to predict. And despite its constant twisting and turning, we didn't lose track of Katniss or the people she loves. I can't imagine how tough it was to write the sequel to a book as impressive as Hunger Games, but Suzanne Collins was clearly up to the challenge.

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games

by: Suzanne Collins

I saw the preview for the movie long before I knew this was a book.  I immediately wrote this movie off as "heck no, this looks so disturbing" type of movie.  Next thing I know, my mom is telling me I have to read it because she can't out it down.  And then, my sister is texting me telling me to read it, it's fabulous. 

For those of you who are still in the dark world, here is a quick synopsis about the book;

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister Primrose, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before — and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love

Ok, I know what you're thinking.

Why in the world would I want to read a book about children fighting to the death for the entertainment of the rich?

Trust me, I thought the same thing.

You don't want to like it, because it feels wrong.

But it is so engrossing.

There is so much more to the story then children fighting to the death and the ending is most definitely not what you would expect.

So, take a chance and read this book. 

You will be hooked. 

This book is like nothing I have ever read before and I personally loved it. 

I literally could not put it down. 

I don't know how the author came up with the sick and twisted idea for the storyline but it is captivating and she can write. 

You will have to read the second and third book.

Water For Elephants

Water for Elephants

By: Sara Gruen

When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and suddenly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, drifters, and misfits, a second-rate circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making one-night stands in town after endless town. A veterinary student who almost earned his degree, Jacob is put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It is there that he meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, who is married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. He also meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her.  Set in the circus world circa 1932 tells a story of a love between two people that overcomes incredible odds in a world in which even love is a luxury that few can afford.

I personally loved this book. It was one of the best books I've read in a very long time.  It come highly recommended to me and did not disappoint me in the least.  I think the most important aspect of books is feeling whether you could actually see the events on page come to life in your mind. In reading Water for Elephants in less than one day, I found that happened to me. I love how the author authentically researched the circus to add in non-fiction details that really intrigue the reader.

A highly enjoyable, well-researched, somewhat romantic read that brings to life the era of the traveling circus and small town America during the Depression.