Let's talk about...The Avengers!!!

So John and I recently saw the new Avengers movies and I thought I would take a moment to share my thoughts with y'all! This is just going to be informal...just thoughts and opinions. :)

First of all, and it's pretty obvious, Thor is my favorite superhero. Hands down. He's hot. He's hilarious. He's in love with a brainiac. I mean, it just doesn't get better.

Iron man is NOT my favorite, but, I didn't mind him this time around. In fact, he was pretty funny. A lot of great one liners!

One of my favorite parts is when all of the superheros try to lift Thor's hammer. :)

I'm glad Hawkeye got some more screen time. I really adore his character!

Bruce Banner/Hulk is growing on me.

The girl who plays the Scarlet Witch is Elizabeth Olsen, the younger sister of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. WHY DOES THAT WHO FAMILY LOOK WEIRD?! *ahem*

Overall, I really enjoyed the movie though I think many of the major actors might not appear in the next movie...we shall see!

If you have seen it, what are your thoughts? 

The Silver Witch by Paula Brackston

Book Summery (Via Goodreads):A year after her husband’s sudden death, ceramic artist Tilda Fordwells finally moves into the secluded Welsh cottage that was to be their new home. She hopes that the tranquil surroundings will help ease her grief, and lessen her disturbing visions of Mat’s death. Instead, the lake in the valley below her cottage seems to spark something dormant in her – a sensitivity, and a power of some sort. Animals are drawn to her, electricity shorts out when she’s near, and strangest of all, she sees a new vision; a boatful of ancient people approaching her across the water.
On this same lake in Celtic times lived Seren, a witch and shaman. She was respected but feared, kept separate from the community for her strange looks. When a vision came to her of the Prince amid a nest of vipers she warned of betrayal from one of his own. Prince Brynach both loved and revered her, but could not believe someone close to him wished him harm, even as the danger grew.
In her own time, Tilda’s grief begins to fade beside her newfound powers and a fresh love. When she explores the lake’s ancient magic and her own she discovers Seren, the woman in her vision of the boat. Their two lives strangely mirror each others, suggesting a strong connection between the women. As Tilda comes under threat from a dark power, one reminiscent of Seren’s prophecy, she must rely on Seren and ancient magic if death and disaster are not to shatter her life once more.

Book Review:
Despite its lengthy description, I wasn't sure what to expect. Let me start with the setting. Brackston does a beautiful job of describing the small Welsh island, both in present and past. It took me back to a simpler time, which is added my Tilda's ability to make all electronic's malfunction in her presence. The downside of this is that we never discover the meaning behind the malfunctions. I enjoyed the alternating voices of Tilda and Seren, and eventually their interactions. I honestly could have read a book solely on Seren. Her story is rather intriguing and mysterious. Tilda had her own charms as well. I rather liked how she enjoyed the simple things in life...a mug of tea, running, reading, etc...I feel like Tilda and I could have been friends in real life. The grave/dig site gave this novel a touch of mystery and adventure which making near impossible to set this book down! I'll definitely be looking to Brackston's books in the future!

Thanks to Thomas Dunne Books for this copy.
Published April 21st 2015
This is my honest review.

Cover Art Commentary:
Seriously, how could you NOT love this cover? I love the simplicity, yet magical feel of it!

Rating:

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Books I Will Probably Never Read

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Books I Will Probably Never Read

Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

1. Deadlocked (Sookie Stackhouse #12) by Charlaine Harris 

This is where I stopped in the Sookie Stackhouse series. I loved it in the beginning, but then Harris' writing took a turn towards mediocre and I lost interest.

2. The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

I know! How could I put anything by such a beloved author on this list? This is boring. BORING. I could not get through it. Simple as that. 

3. Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire

I read Wicked for an online book club once upon a time (see what I did there?)...and it was awful. I felt like I was on a roller coaster in a very bad way. I will not be reading anything else by Maguire, even if the covers are darn adorable!

4. A Game of Thrones / A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1-2) by George R.R. Martin 

Or really, any book from this series. I know it is a well loved series and I do enjoy the HBO series. However, I am to impatient to read such intricacies and get attached to characters that don't stay alive too long. 

5. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings (Middle-Earth Universe) by J.R.R. Tolkien

I tried very hard to get through The Hobbit, and couldn't do it. This is another series that I will enjoy via the movie series instead.

6. A Great and Terrible Beauty (Gemma Doyle #1) by Libba Bray 

I want to read this series. I do. But unfortunately, the ending has unfortuntately been ruined for me by another reader. Oh well. I'll have to settle for reading other books by Bray.

7. Pandemonium (Delirium #2) by Lauren Oliver

And honestly, the rest of the series. I know, I know, this series received high reviews, but after reading the first book, this is definitely not a series I am interested in continuing. It too...cliche. I need a bit more originality. 

8. The Mortal Instruments #1-3 by Cassandra Clare

Simple: I just have no interest in reading these. Perhaps someday I shall change my mind! 

9. Pretty Little Lying Liars by Sara Shepard

Love LOVE the TV series! Hated the first book. I can not continue to read these. The characters are AWFUL, spoiled little brats. I much prefer the TV characters who are a bit more likable.

10. Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle #3) by Maggie Stiefvater

I'm really, really sorry Maggie! You're one of my favorite authors! However, after reading the previous book, which I just could not get into. I don't think I'll be picking this one up, even though I am in love with the cover. 

So that's it for me. What books will you most likely not read?

Weekly Round-Up 4/26 - 5/2

Life This Week:

Once again, I am late with this post, but only by a day, so progress? Still working on the house. Good news...the flooring is in so that should go in this week! Yay! A lot of the major renovations are complete, so we are working on smaller projects. Soon, we'll be able to start planting flowers, veggies and herbs outside! Below is a picture of a tulip that is in bloom in our yard. Don't mind the straw...we're trying to grow grass.

Books Read and Reviewed:

Prudence (The Custard Protocol #1) by Gail Carriger

What I am Currently Reading:

What I Will Be Reading Next:

Randomness:

Below are pictures of John's sister's cat, Maggs. He is the most sassy cat I have ever met. Here he is being adorable as he sleeps, or so you think...

That's all for now. Here's to another week of reading, remodeling, and adorable cats!

Reading Reflections: April 2015

Books Read:

Half Bad (The Half Bad Trilogy #1) by Sally Green

The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichert

Miss Mayhem (Rebel Belle #2) by Rachel Hawkins

Any Way You Slice It by Kristine Carlson Asselin

Prudence (The Custard Protocol #1) by Gail Carriger 

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 5

Total Number of Books Read This Year: 24

Favorite Read:

The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichert

Highest Rank: 5

Lowest Rank: 4

Overall Reflection:

It's been a slower reading month due to spending so much time on house renovations. We're hoping to be able to move in by the end of the month, so keep your fingers crossed! I had a lot of "middle of the road" reads this month. So I am hoping for some more 5 star reads next month!