"Weird Facts" (a Sunday Lexi post)

Dear Readers,

Today is Sunday, which means a weird/odd post! Today's is offbeat info that you need to know for your life... Okay, you don't, but still, read on...

• There's a mysterious radio signal known as the 'space roar' throughout the universe that no one can explain!
• The human brain takes in 11 million bits of information every second but is aware of only 40.
• If you drilled a tunnel straight through the Earth and jumped in, it would take you exactly 42 minutes and 12 seconds to get to the other side.
• Animals can rain from the sky, and have before.
• If you try to grow an apple tree from an apple seed, there is a nearly 100% guarantee that the apples will be COMPLETELY different from the one that had the seed.
• There is a medical powder that will clot even major wounds almost instantly.
• A one-year-old boy in India has broken a world record after being born with 34 fingers and toes.
• The universe is beige.
• Although the Stegosaurus dinosaur was over 9 metres long, its brain was only the size of a walnut.
• Rabbits and parrots can see behind themselves without even moving their heads.
• Similar to fingerprints, everyone also has a unique tongue print.
• You get a new stomach lining every three to four days. (If you didn't, the strong acids your stomach uses to digest food would also digest your stomach.)
• Laid end to end, there are about 60,000 miles of blood vessels in the human body. And the hard-working heart pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood through those vessels every day.

Hope you liked these!

Till next time,

Lexi

"Landry Park" (a Lexi review)

Dear Reader,

Hello, again! Happy Saturday! Hope yours is going well!

God, I love this cover! One of the best in awhile!

Summary: "Downton Abbey meets The Selection in this dystopian tale of love and betrayal

In a fragmented future United States ruled by the lavish gentry, seventeen-year-old Madeline Landry dreams of going to the university. Unfortunately, gentry decorum and her domineering father won't allow that. Madeline must marry, like a good Landry woman, and run the family estate. But her world is turned upside down when she discovers the devastating consequences her lifestyle is having on those less fortunate. As Madeline begins to question everything she has ever learned, she finds herself increasingly drawn to handsome, beguiling David Dana. Soon, rumors of war and rebellion start to spread, and Madeline finds herself and David at the center of it all. Ultimately, she must make a choice between duty - her family and the estate she loves dearly - and desire." (Gratzi, Goodreads!)

I really liked this novel. From the characters who were interesting and surprising, to the awesome plot, it's like this novel transports you both back and forward in time at the same time! Think Victorian age, but in the present/future. The caste system is still alive, but there's more technology. I love that Madeline -- the main character -- challenges the life she's always lived. From the very beginning, she's wanting more than being given away in marriage by her father, wanting more in her life than what she was to have. I liked how the characters were relatable in a sense. I love how you feel connected to this story through Madeline, cheering for her from moment one when she's declaring she wants to go to university. The story is summed up beautifully above, so I'm stepping cautiously around what's going to happen. So I'm going to stop here. All I can say is that this novel is great.

In Conclusion: Read it! It's awesome!


Rating:

4/5 Victorian houses


Till next time!!!


Yours truly,

Lexi

"The Haunting of Tabitha Grey" (a terrifying Lexi review)

Dear Reader,

Do you like watching scary things? Maybe just mildly scary? If so, today's book is for you. It's truly not terrifying, but it does have some (maybe) ghosts in it, as well as some creepy twists and turns! It's The Haunting of Tabitha Grey by Vanessa Curtis.

Summary: "Set in a sprawling Victorian manor, a classic ghost story with a stunning twist

I look up at the dark, unblinking eyes of the house and I get the weirdest feeling . . . It's the feeling of being pulled into something and being unable to stop it happening . . .Tabitha is used to changing schools and moving to different houses. But when her family moves into Weston Manor, something is different. It's as if the house has been waiting for her. There are lavender smells which come from nowhere, the old servants' bells ring in the night, and she can hear crying in empty rooms. Tabitha's always been imaginative. Even her best friend Gemma knows that. But this time, could she actually be telling the truth?" (Gracias, Goodreads!)

Okay, so not only does this novel delve into Tabitha's insecurities, especially about seeing ghosts, but also into a damaged family life. I kept waiting for a ghost to attack or the proof of her being insane solidified or just something happening, but I did have to wait awhile. This novel is truly good, just not as creepy as I expected it to be, nor a huge build-up of action. However, the twist in the end is completely worth it!

In Conclusion: Why not?

Rating:

3.5/5 Victorian women


Till next time!

XOXO,
Lexi

"Pills and Starships" (a medicated Lexi review, lol)

Dear Readers,

Today's book is a dystopian novel! This one sounds a bit more realistic than others I've read, so check it out! It's Pills and Starships by Lydia Millet. In fact, I was sucked in by this cover! Look:

Summary: "In this richly imagined dystopic future brought by global warming, seventeen-year-old Nat and her hacker brother Sam have come by ship to the Big Island of Hawaii for their parents' Final Week. The few Americans who still live well also live long—so long that older adults bow out not by natural means but by buying death contracts from the corporates who now run the disintegrating society by keeping the people happy through a constant diet of "pharma." Nat's family is spending their pharma-guided last week at a luxury resort complex called the Twilight Island Acropolis.

Deeply conflicted about her parents' decision, Nat spends her time keeping a record of everything her family does in the company-supplied diary that came in the hotel's care package..." (Thanks, Goodreads!)

This novel delve into what life would truly be like for a normal person in a dystopian world. Nat is an everyday teen that is coping with her parents' death, except it hasn't happened yet and there are pills to subdue those feelings. She doesn't want her parents to die, but is more passive, just writing her true feelings in a journal provided to her from the hotel to help her heal. However, her little brother is taking more of an active stance on their society in general. When Nat starts seeing society at work, she questions everything, and when she finds out what's really going on in the world, she has to choose to go along with everything or make a stand. You'll be able to relate to Nat and her brother a lot, and may start looking at our world now in a whole new light.

The plot is thorough, and there's plenty of humor. However, there are dark things as well (obviously). If you want to think, and you want to know what it truly would be like living in a realistic dystopian society, read this novel. See both the ruin and the hope for our future.

In Conclusion: If you don't mind it being a bit slow at parts, I do recommend reading this novel.

Rating:

4/5 pills


Till next time!!!

XOXO,

Lexi

Sunday Morning Hilarious-ness!!! (a Sunday Lexi post)

Hey, Readers!!!

Hope your day is going great, and that this post makes you smile!!!!!

The most honest one:

And, the best one yet:

XOXO,

Lexi

AMAZING NOVEL!!!!! "Curses and Smoke" (an erupting Lexi review)

Our dearest readers,

Hello! For now (at least), I will be the sole chica writing this blog. Ash's schedule is much busier than my own, but keep an eye out for her comeback!

Today's novel took me by surprise thrice for the following reasons: it's a YA/teen book (adults, too) that is written during the Mt. Vesuvius eruption; it's amazing in every way possible; and it kept reminding me of an episode of "Doctor Who." (Okay, so the last one was a personal thing, but still!) I truly couldn't get enough of this novel!

It's Curses and Smoke by Vicky Alvear Shecter.

Such a gorgeous cover, too!!!

Summary: "When your world blows apart, what will you hold onto?

TAG is a medical slave, doomed to spend his life healing his master's injured gladiators. But his warrior's heart yearns to fight in the gladiator ring himself and earn enough money to win his freedom.

LUCIA is the daughter of Tag's owner, doomed by her father's greed to marry a much older Roman man. But she loves studying the natural world around her home in Pompeii, and lately she's been noticing some odd occurrences in the landscape: small lakes disappearing; a sulfurous smell in the air. . . .

When the two childhood friends reconnect, each with their own longings, they fall passionately in love. But as they plot their escape from the city, a patrician fighter reveals his own plans for them -- to Lucia's father, who imprisons Tag as punishment. Then an earthquake shakes Pompeii, in the first sign of the chaos to come. Will they be able to find each other again before the volcano destroys their whole world?" (Thank you, Goodreads!)

O. M. G. This novel is so amazing!!! Not only is the story, plot, twists, and characters grab me and didn't let go, but the deep, lush history actually taught me a lot about this time in history. See, I am ALWAYS looking for something (or someone) who can tell me something that I've never heard before. If it can, I'm all for it. However, it doesn't necessarily keep my attention when it is a book or movie. This novel is great because it took care of the rest of my criteria, which includes developed and deep characters that are super realistic (and act so); a complete, great plot; and amazing twists that I couldn't have predicted. (You guys know how I am about the last one! If I can't predict the ending or twists and turns, the novel is a winner!)

Lucia is not just some poor little rich girl, and Tag isn't just from "the wrong side of the tracks." It's just not something that is that superficial like that. Their story goes deeper; they were friends who grew up together, neither of whom are whiny and expect the other to "save" them; they're more developed and realistic than that. They're strong. Even the "extras" in the book are developed and have back stories.

The story is addictive and it's not like anything that I have read before in any novel in any genre. I think it's because of the plot and history and how they were carried out, to be honest. The plot is put into days that count down to the eruption, alternating the point of view between Tag and Lucia. This can go very well in a book, or it can go swimmingly. This time, it was great. You get to see two completely separate and different lives from that point in time. Then comes the history. The rich history just completes the entire novel. How did people live back then? Were there warning signs? Were they anything like us? (The last answer in this book is yes, and you'll feel like you're there!) You'll want to learn more about the eruption and what came of it. I am trying not to give any part of this story away, because I want you to feel the surprises and everything with clear wonderment and enthusiasm of reading such a unique, new book!

In Conclusion: OMG! READ THIS NOVEL! TEENS AND ADULTS!

Rating: 5/5 volcanoes

XOXO,

Lexi

"Gone South" (a sweet-tea-drinking Lexi review)

Hello, Readers!

Today's book intrigued me since I love Southern fiction, particularly with witty and strong female characters! Though I lean towards historical or futuristic Southern fiction, this one is contemporary. It's Gone South by Meg Moseley! :)

Summary: "The charm of the South drew her back to her family’s roots. But when the town’s old resentments turn the sweet tea bitter, can Tish find a welcome anywhere?
 
Leaving frosty Michigan for the Deep South was never a blip in the simple plans Tish McComb imagined for her life, dreams of marriage and family that were dashed five years earlier in a tragic accident. Now an opportunity to buy her great-great-great-grandparents’ Civil War era home beckons Tish to Noble, Alabama, a Southern town in every sense of the word. She wonders if God has given her a new dream— the old house filled with friends, her vintage percolator bubbling on the sideboard.
 
When Tish discovers that McCombs aren't welcome in town, she feels like a Yankee behind enemy lines. Only local antiques dealer George Zorbas seems willing to give her a chance. What’s a lonely outcast to do but take in Noble’s resident prodigal, Melanie Hamilton, and hope that the two can find some much needed acceptance in each other.
 
Problem is, old habits die hard, and Mel is quite set in her destructive ways. With Melanie blocked from going home, Tish must try to manage her incorrigible houseguest as she attempts to prove her own worth in a town that seems to have forgotten that every sinner needs God-given mercy, love and forgiveness." (Thank you, Goodreads!)

This novel was very interesting. I connected to Tish early in the novel -- in the beginning actually -- when you learn about her love for the historic letters from her family. I love antique and vintage things, so I kind of clicked with her. The cool thing about this fiction novel is that it faces hard issues that made the novel seem so realistic. This novel, to me, was a good one. I loved the characters, and that they all were fully-developed, and the plot, which seemed to be well thought out. The structure of the novel is great, and is spot on! Plus, it truly shows how to be a friend. I loved Mel, and I know I'm not the only one who was rooting for her. In fact, I hope the author writes another novel that focuses on her and her life. The romance was a classic one, thanks to it being played out as a true romance, not showing the love through raunchiness. It was a nice change.

In Conclusion: Sure, why not! :D



Rating:

3.5/5 letters


Till next time!

Truly yours,

Lexi

"Cinderella's Dress" (a retro Lexi review)

Hello, our lovely readers!!!

I've gotten to read an awesome book lately; one I was iffy on reading. It turned out to be so unique of a story that it was moved up in the list of books to review! In fact, it's today's book: Cinderella's Dress by Shonna Slayton!

Summary: "Being seventeen during World War II is tough. Finding out you’re the next keeper of the real Cinderella’s dresses is even tougher.
Kate simply wants to create window displays at the department store where she's working, trying to help out with the war effort. But when long-lost relatives from Poland arrive with a steamer trunk they claim holds the Cinderella’s dresses, life gets complicated.
Now, with a father missing in action, her new sweetheart, Johnny, stuck in the middle of battle, and her great aunt losing her wits, Kate has to unravel the mystery before it’s too late.After all, the descendants of the wicked stepsisters will stop at nothing to get what they think they deserve." (Thank you so much, Goodreads!)

So the main character has this dream of being a window dresser, which I didn't know was unusual for a woman to do back then. I also didn't know how important and immensely creative that profession is. It's so cool to learn. I also learned a lot more about people, and the War, and also just little details in general. It's truly like being back in the WWII era, working and dreaming with Katie!

So take that and add on the fairytale dresses of Cinderella, and the mystery of it all. Is it true? Is it just a fantasy? What is going on? All of the questions are asked and answered wonderfully in this novel. I loved the magic of it all, and how this novel makes it feel like magic and fairytales can be true; we'd never know. I love that feeling, and truly, this novel has done it better than the novels I've been reading/have read.

The only downside for me is that I wanted to reach the conclusion and figure it all out faster than I did. However, stay patient, because it's all worth it.

In Conclusion: Please read this, even if you don't like historical fiction. It's so creative and fun!

Rating:

4/5 dresses


Till next time!!!

XOXO,

Alexis