Dark Matter by Blake Crouch (5/5)

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Genres: Sci Fi, Fiction
Pages: 342

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Summary

“Are you happy with your life?” Those are the last words Jason Dessen hears before the masked abductor knocks him unconscious. Before he awakens to find himself strapped to a gurney, surrounded by strangers in hazmat suits. Before a man Jason’s never met smiles down at him and says, “Welcome back, my friend.”

In this world he’s woken up to, Jason’s life is not the one he knows. His wife is not his wife. His son was never born. And Jason is not an ordinary college physics professor but a celebrated genius who has achieved something remarkable–something impossible.

Is it this world or the other that’s the dream? And even if the home he remembers is real, how can Jason possibly make it back to the family he loves? The answers lie in a journey more wondrous and horrifying than anything he could’ve imagined—one that will force him to confront the darkest parts of himself even as he battles a terrifying, seemingly unbeatable foe.

Review

After reading this book I only have one word: WOW. This book intrigued me to the point I literally could not put it down. The concept is so fresh and exciting — and you have no clue what to expect next. You feel as if you’re actually living in Jason’s world and my heartbeat actually started racing in some points of the book.

Crouch made me think, cry, worry, stress, and laugh in a matter of 342 pages. I would highly highly highly recommend this book to book lovers of any genre. Don’t let the sci fi genre scare you, this book will be loved by all. Read this now!!

General Reaction

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Lost Stars by Lisa Selin Davis (4/5)

Lost Stars by Lisa Selin Davis
Genres: Young Adult, Romance
Pages: 288

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Summary

Before her older sister, Ginny, died, Carrie was a science nerd, obsessively tracking her beloved Vira comet. But now that Ginny is gone, sixteen-year-old Carrie finds herself within the orbit of Ginny’s friends, a close-knit group of seniors who skip school, obsess over bands (not science), and party hard.

     Fed up with Carrie’s behavior, her father enrolls her in a summer work camp at a local state park. Carrie actually likes the days spent in nature. And when she meets Dean, a guy who likes the real Carrie—astrophysics obsessions and all—she starts to get to the heart of who she is and who she wants to be.

Review

I loved this book! I felt instantly connected to Carrie and her pain, and I was constantly rooting for her throughout the book. Although the tragedies of her world are things that I have never experienced, I felt them as though they had happened to me. The setting of the ’80s also made this book exciting to read, and as a music fanatic, the numerous music references to the punk bands of the time made me want to make a Spotify playlist for the book right away.

But even though I adored Carrie, I loved the character of Dean even more. He’s sweet, caring, but also understands Carrie’s personal struggles on a level that no one else does. He was just what Carrie needed.

The thing wrong with this book was that it ended. I wanted to keep living in Carrie and Dean’s world, and the ending of the book make the story feel like it ended on a big question mark. I felt unsatisfied and longed for more.

General Reaction

Leave Your Mark: Land Your Dream Job. Kill It in Your Career. Rock Social Media. by Aliza Licht (5/5)

Leave Your Mark: Land Your Dream Job. Kill It in Your Career. Rock Social Media. by Aliza Licht
Genres: Career, Self-Help
Pages: 259

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Summary

Aliza Licht has had a long and sucessful career in the fashion industry…after she abandoned her pre-med major and plan to become a plastic surgeon when she grew up. Starting in fashion magazines as assistant accessories editors, to finally becomeing a P.R. executive for DKNY, Licht has had a wide bredth of experience and knowlege to draw upon, creating this career-oriented book for the young women who is starting her professional life. From starting your career, to office how-to’s, to creating a strong personal brand, Licht covers every arena for every young woman to own her career and herself.

Review

As a lover of fashion, I was instantly drawn into Aliza’s world. From the crazy bosses who are very Devil Wears Prada-esqe, to the glamourous world of award shows and red carpets, Aliza’s personal career story fascinated me and made me question my career choices more than once. In every chapter, Aliza gives you more insight into her personal story and then quickly translates what happen to her into real-life, tangable career advice. I loved this format — easy to digest and entertaining, while still getting the message across.

To any female college student, high school student, or recent grad, I would highly recommend this book. It gives you incredible advice without sounding preachy, just like your cool older sister.

Next time you get coffee, Aliza, can I come with?

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne (5/5)

To me, Harry Potter means my childhood. I absorbed and adored the series as a young girl, and I remember getting my book taken away by my elementary school teachers multiple times. (Sorry Mrs. Rudy) When I heard that there would be an 8th book to the beloved Harry Potter series, my inner child screamed with joy. While in line for the book last weekend, it struck me that the last midnight release for a book I attended was for the 7th installment in the HP series…six years ago.

As soon as I got home with Cursed Child, I couldn’t stop reading. The storyline is fresh, but still has enough references to the previous Harry Potter storylines and characters that we all love. While the script format of the book may annoy some, as a theatre lover, I found it fascinating and made me want to buy the next ticket to London to see the show.

If you are hesitant to read this new Harry Potter installment — whether for it’s non-traditional format or in fear of ruining the wonderful ending in Book 7 — have no worries. The new characters of Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy will make you smile, laugh, and cry, and it will make you see your old favorites Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione in new ways.

Happy Reading!