Review: My best friend's exorcism a novel

Promising idea that needed a better editor.

Since elementary school, Abby and Gretchen have been inseparable. From sleepovers, to cafeteria lunches, vacations -- you will never find one without the other. But after an acid trip (it was the 80's) gone wrong, their friendship will be tested when a demon follows them home. 


The story began with an older Abby, now divorced and wiser, telling us about her friendship with Gretchen. Sadly, the author never really returns to this voice, but rather continues the story in a linear form, allowing us to accompany the girls from elementary to high school. In fact, the horror takes such a long time to appear, that the plot felt more contemporary than anything. The details about the girls families, friendships and Abby's acne filled skin are numerous, and worse, the author prolongs the story way too much after said possession. None of the characters ever take responsibilities for their actions, and the police and school investigations regarding the possession just didn't seem plausible. 

All in all not for me, although I did enjoy the 80's song list titles. 

Review: Dear Emma

''I wanted to come up with the perfect text, and the perfect time to send it, and to know what the exact right move was to keep him from just ... ignoring me.'' Girls night often (if not always) brushes the topic of relationships. Why didn't he text me back?, He seems weird lately, and yeah, odd sex moves (like last time this dude put his hand on my throat while... sorry TMI). This book dissects all of that. Heaney inspired herself from Jane Austen's Emma, and delivered us a modern female college columnist who provides love advice once a week to her readers. Sadly for ''Emma'' (she uses a pen name) her love life is chaotic. Her dating partner, Keith (I wish and so does she that we could call him boyfriend), has stopped texting her. Even in person, he downright ignores her. And worse, social media suggests that he's seeing another girl who Emma works with. Can Emma give this girl relationship advice, and most importantly, what can she do to stop missing Keith? I love how this books makes us feel human. How we are not alone in going through these things. But most of all, Emma's column was extremely well written with powerful advice for college students, people in the dating pool, and friendships.

Book and Movie Challenge: Room

It's no wonder Room got so much praise at the Oscars.  

If you`ve read the book, then you expected the tears that this movie would undoubtedly cause. However, the book was written under the voice of 5 year-old Jack, making it even more realistic in the tone. Let's face it, a five-year-old child can't lie or embellish the truth. Therefore the captivity that him and his mom were forced into by Old Nick appeared even more gruesome in the hardcover.

That is not to say that the movie lacked in tone. Being character driven, it relied on Jacob Tremblay(Jack) and his mom played by Brie Larson (Joy) to impress us with their acting. I have no clue how the director coached Jacob into performing so well, but they really do pull us into the story and allow us to experience what it would be like to overcome an abduction.

All in all, an amazing adaptation that deserves to be watched and read.

Caught my arrow #49

Caught my Arrow is a meme similar to Stalking the Shelves featuring books that were purchased, borrowed or received that week.

Honestly can't seem to put this book down. It's so similar to something myself and many of my friends have experienced in terms of relationships breakups that it feels like looking in a mirror. Katie certainly knows how to create convincing characters.

Received from Publisher

Une photo publiée par natalia (@natyuniverse) le 10 Mars 2016 à 14h47 PST

Dear Emma by Katie Heaney

What are you reading this week?

Review: Imogene of the Pacific Kingdom

Imogene was forced to live with her aunt after her parents leave, promising to return when she turns ten. But the birthday passes, and Imogene receives no news. Then one day, her pendant begins pointing her to the sea, and as she plunges in the water and swims to her destiny, she comes to realize she is in fact a mermaid. A princess! And her parents hid her because her evil uncle wants the throne and will stop at nothing to get it. Schapansky used easy vocabulary for middle-graders to understand, but gave us a witty and smart ten-year-old in the process. Imogene acted mature for her age, making wise decisions that helped the kingdom in great ways. It was interesting to see the concept of day and night under the sea as well as funny little details such as volcano rocks to cook food.