Book Review: Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

OK ok so I know everyone and their grandmother has reviewed this book by now...ok that might be a wee bit overly dramatic. Still this book has been near the top of my TBR pile since long before it was ever released. I had heard the rumblings about it among fellow bloggers who were given ARCs and I knew that it was supposed to be really good.

If you don't already know Under the Never Sky is a dystopian romance book. Aria who has an amazing singing voice lives inside of a pod with other dwellers. They never leave the pods for fear of infection. They were forced long ago into the pods when the aether filled the sky causing storms and death and destruction. When her mother goes missing Aria cozy's up with the son of a very important man. However, that son attacks her and soon she finds herself left to die on the outside. Only with the help of a "savage" boy who is more than he seems can she survive.

Holy hell why in the heck did I wait so fracking long to read this? Why? OH WHY?!?! This was AMAZING. At first I did not like Aria but over time I grew to love her and oh Perry. Be still my heart. Tons of action, lots of angst, and oh what a great romance. This was not insta love in fact they couldn't stand each other when they first met but through their long perilous journey they fall in love. Note YA writers this is how you write romance. The other thing I loved is that even though this hopped back and forth in perspective it was not in first person. That meant it was not confusing at all. In case you haven't seen my rants before I hate head hopping. This was not head hopping and I appreciated being able to see both perspectives without it being confusing.

I give this 5 out of 5 stars

Harry Potter Moment of the Week

                                          
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Best Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes Product
                    


Without a doubt my favorite was the extendable ears. How cool were they? Plus they played a significant part in Order of the Phoenix. It was such a simple product but it proved to be so useful. It worked better than the old glass up against a door trick. It also truly spoke about human nature and our need to spy especially as children.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

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1. It was decided on Sunday the Denver Broncos will meet the Seattle Seahawks in this year's Superbowl.  So, when was the last time you bowled?  Not where you thought this question was going is it? Do you like to bowl? Are you any good?


No I'm not into bowling. I've only ever done it 3 times in my life. All of those times was age 13 and under. In fact if I recall two of those times there was the bumpers in the gutters since we were like 5 years old. I have friends who used to be in a bowling league. I just never found it to be fun.

2. Should sports stars be role models?

"Should"? No more so than any other celebrity. I think there are a number of reasons why someone should look up to and idolize certain celebrities. Back in the 90's I idolized Lance Armstrong. I was heavily into biking then and would ride 40-50 miles 4 days a week. The thing here is I was always the overweight couch potato type. But cycling was the first and only sport I got into as something other than just an observer. In fact I'm mad at myself for letting that go and want to get back in to it.  I've been asked how I feel about the scandal around Armstrong. To be honest I'm disappointed but not surprised. It also doesn't change the fact that back then he inspired me to push myself and do something that I never thought possible. 

  3. January is National Oatmeal month...are you a fan?  How do you like your oats?

Yes, I do like oatmeal. Though my son is the big oatmeal eater in the house. If I'm not doing the flavored kind I like mine with a tablespoon of peanut butter, sliced banana, and a splash of milk. Yummy!

4. What is one book on your reading list for 2014?

Well, since I'm a book blogger you can just begin to imagine how many books are on my TBR (to be read) list. If you want to add me on goodreads you can find me at https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/26571179-messymommyreads

As for one book on my list that would be



5. What would you like your future self to say to your present self?

It's going to get much much better

6. When scrolling through the TV guide, what is one movie title that makes you want to stop, grab the popcorn, and watch for a while?

Die Hard- Hubby knows not to interrupt me when I'm watching my favorite movie
Never Been Kissed- Doesn't matter how many times I've seen it still love it!
Labyrinth- Cause even with those embarrassingly tight pants David Bowie was hot.

7. What are two style trends you hope never come back into fashion?

I'm still waiting for boys to pull their pants up. It was my generation that ruined that for everyone. Why are they still doing this 20 years later?

1980s Hairstyles. I love me my 80s music but it scares me seeing some of the clothes coming back into style please don't let the hair come back. Want to know what I'm talking about? Check out this blog http://www.80sactual.com/2010/06/1980s-hair.html


8. Insert your own random thought here.

Snow snow everywhere! Its cold outside and here in Jersey we are buried under tons of snow. But I love it. I tried to take a picture of the door that leads to my balcony. It's a regular door with 4 window panels. All four were covered in frost. Very pretty pattern happening. If I can get a good picture I'll post it.

Harry Potter Moment of the Week

Harry Potter Moment of the Week is hosted by Uncorked Thoughts. Come join the fun.

Favourite sweet treat in the books

At first I almost panicked when I saw this week's moment. But my answer came to me before I could even begin to ponder....Butter Beer....if there is one thing in the entire Harry Potter universe that I've wondered what it tasted like it would have to be Butter Beer! 


Here is a recipe for one version of butter beer that I found on Food Networks website

Total Time: 8 min
Prep 5 min
Cook 3 min

Yield:
2 servings

Level:
Easy


Ingredients

1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup butterscotch topping
2 tablespoons whipped butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups vanilla cream soda

Directions

Combine condensed milk, butterscotch topping, and butter in a glass heatproof measuring cup. Heat in microwave for 1 minute. Remove and stir until butter has melted and incorporated into mixture. Meanwhile heat cream soda in another heatproof measuring cup for 1 minute 30 seconds.

Divide butterscotch mixture between 2 (10 to 12-ounce) mugs. Fill mugs with heated cream soda and stir thoroughly. Serve garnished with an old-fashioned butterscotch candy stick.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/semi-homemade-cooking-with-sandra-lee/butterbeer-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

 

Hodgepodge Wednesday 1/15/14

1. Are you a force to be reckoned with? In what way?

For the most part no. That is unless you step on the toes of those that I love like my close friends and family.  I rarely get over heated but when I do watch out. I have the ability to cut people to the quick. It's like I know the one thing to say that would hurt them the most. When I'm angry enough I can't control my filter and I'll say the meanest most nasty thing that would hurt that person. I'm not proud of it and am glad that it only happens on the rarest of occasions.

2. What are two things you love about the wintertime. Or, if love feels like too strong a word, what are two things you like about winter?

Snow!!!!!!! I want more snow! Lots and lots of it. Bury me under it bring on the blizzard. I LOVE IT! Unfortunately, living in New Jersey we don't get as much snow as I would like. Only a couple of storms a year. If only I could convince my hubby to move to a state where snow happens all the time in the winter....that would be dreamy. 

The other thing I love is fires in the fireplace. I live in an apartment now and don't have one but growing up I loved sitting in front of the fire. I loved everything about it from that unique smell, the heat it gives off, the pops and crackle sounds, to the way that that just staring at it is hypnotizing. I loved as a kid coming in from playing in the snow to sit down in front of the fire and warm up and dry off. 
3. Pomegranate, kumquat, persimmon, kiwi, and guava are all fruits said to have health

benefits, particularly during the winter months.  Do you have a favorite on the list? Are there any on the list you haven't tried?

I love pomegranate especially mixed with blueberries...yummy! I don't think I've ever had a kumquat or a persimmon. All I can think of though when I hear persimmon is daffy duck saying "thanks for the sour persimmons" complete with spit flying all over the place.

4. I passed a local church yesterday and noticed they had this on their sign, "When all else fails, do the right thing." Your thoughts?

How odd...why not do the right thing in the first place?

5. Do you ski? According to one list I've seen, the top 5 ski destinations for 2014 are St. Anton Austria, Whistler Canada, Cortina Italy, Tahoe USA, and Zermatt Switzerland. Of the five listed which would you most like to visit? We can make skiing optional if that helps the non-skiers with their answer.

No I've never been skiing. Something about me hurtling down a mountain doesn't sound like a good idea. I'm clumsy as all get out and I'm pretty sure I'd break my leg if not something more serious. I would love to visit Switzerland though!

6. What's the last thing you looked for online? (besides my blog!)

I was reading my email but before that I got caught up in an article about Tia and Tamarra Mowry and how the one (can't remember which one) was in an interracial marriage and the horrible comments she would receive from people online because she didn't marry a black man. It was really sad that in 2014 things like this still happen. 

 
7. What saying, slogan, quote, or motto, have you seen lately that inspires you for the new year?
 

I haven't been paying attention to any lately so I'll my favorite quote that has always had meaning to me. 

 

 One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree. "Which road do I take?" she asked. "Where do you want to go?" was his response. "I don't know," Alice answered. "Then," said the cat, "it doesn't matter."

Lewis Carroll (1832-1898)
 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

 

 I've posted about this on my blog but is something I'm obsessing on and can't seem to let go of. I've decided to challenge myself and read all the books that I can from the 1001 children's books to read before you grow up. 

I was upset to find out that a number of the books on the list are in another language with no english translations. I also found out that there are a number of them that are out of print...so the question becomes do I give up? Nope, I'm going to try and do it. 

I made the challenge harder than it needs to be though because I'm starting fresh and am not counting any books on the list that I've already read. So I'll be doing a good number of rereads. I'm thinking it will take me about 10 years to finish this challenge but that's ok.

I'm also planning on doing portions of it with my son. I'm reading the picture books to him and hopefully when he is older and able to handle it we'll do some of the chapter books together.

Book Review: More Parts by Tedd Arnold

This is yet another book that used to be my stepdaughter's (can you tell we don't get rid of books). She was never a big fan of the book and if I recall it was because she was disturbed by the scene of the scene where his brain falls out.

This silly book has a little boy who becomes frightened when he takes certain figures of speech literally. Like when he told to hold his tongue he doesn't realize it means to keep quiet not literally hold his tongue.


The book is silly and cute. The funny thing is that my son's favorite part was my stepdaughter's most hated part. I guess that is the difference between boys and girls. Brains and gross body parts are cool to boys while they are cringe inducing to little girls. The illustrations are great and the examples of figures of speech are amusing. My son enjoyed this book more than I did.


I would have to give this 3 and half out of 4 stars. Bump up to 4 stars for goodreads.

Book Review: The Giant Jam Sandwich by John Vernon Lord/ Janet Burroway

Ok so I decided to dive right into the 1001 books challenge. I've never seen this book before nor heard of it so I was excited when I found it at my library last night. Apparently, this is classic reading for a number of people but I honestly have never heard of it before yesterday.

The Giant Jam Sandwich is all about a town that becomes over run with wasps. Someone in town has the brilliant idea of making a huge strawberry jam sandwich since that is wasps favorite thing to eat. So the whole town gets together to make a giant jam sandwich to trap the nasty wasps.

This was a very cute book and my son really enjoyed it. His favorite part was when they laid down the top piece of bread trapping the wasps in the sandwich. The drawings were very 1970's style and for that it was charming and brought back memories of my childhood reading. I can definately see myself reading this one to my son again on another library trip. If you can find this book give it a read.

5 out of 5 stars.