Epic Recs Reviews (March and May)

I started Epic Recs in March, but I have not posted about my progress yet because of business on the part of me and my Epic Recs partner.  If you do not know what Epic Recs is, here is a blurb from one of the creators (Paper Riot):

Epic Recs started out as a feature in which Amber and I force each other to read books. Like an impromptu book club, consisting of just the two of us. Or a game of truth or dare without the truth. It’s awesome. Our friendship depends on these books, so there’s no pressure whatsoever. We both like to force people to read books, so it was an excellent excuse to test our book pushing. Because of enthusiastic and rather threatening comments, we decided to open it up for everyone to join. So do you like book pushing or do you just want a fun book club-ish feature to participate in? Hi!

What are the rules? 1) Find a friend you want to recommend books to (or two friends, or three friends, etc.) OR sign up here and we’ll assign you to a partner. 2) Link up your Epic Recs post at the beginning of each month (stating what you are planning to read, who Epic Rec’d it and what they are reading in return). You are welcome to request a new partner every month. But if you partnership doesn’t work out, you are responsible for telling your partner this. We are not a dating service that breaks up for you. It’s your party! You are welcome to participate every month or just once. It’s totally up to you. You are allowed to deny recs, as long as you and your partner are okay with it. This is totally up to you. Amber and I like forcing books on each other, so we don’t really deny them, but hey, whatever you want!

In March, I recommended Black by Ted Dekker for Brianna @ For the Love of Books and Brianna recommended Pivot Point by Kasie West to me.

Here is my review of Pivot Point:

Book Title: Pivot Point

Author: Kasie West

Publish Date: February 12, 2013

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal, Science Fiction

Series: Pivot Point (#1)

Synopsis (from Goodreads):  

Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier . . .

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without.

Review 

I am so glad that I read this book.  The writing style is amazing.  Each chapter alternates between if Addie chose to live with her mom or her dad.  This is so unique and so intense.  This seems as if it would be confusing, but the author wrote this incredibly well and it was not confusing at all. Not only is the point of view unique, but the story is so action packed and enjoyable.  The ending was not at all predictable which was incredibly gratifying. I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book in this series. 

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: Any Age

Overall Rating: 5/5

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In May, I recommended The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller and Brianna recommended Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach.

Here is my review of Jonathan Livingston Seagull:

Book Title: Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Author: Richard Bach

Publish Date: February 7, 2006 (First Published in 1970)

Synopsis (from Goodreads):  

This is a story for people who follow their hearts and make their own rules...people who get special pleasure out of doing something well, even if only for themselves...people who know there's more to this living than meets the eye: they'll be right there with Jonathan, flying higher and faster than ever they dreamed.

Review 

The messages of this story is great: you can do anything that you set your mind to and it is okay to be different.  The writing was very poetic and beautiful.  Overall, I enjoyed this book but it was a bit confusing.  I did like the illustrations, but I feel that they were repetitive and do not add to the book.  This book is short (93 pages including several full page illustrations), but it is definitely worth the time to read it.

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: Any Age

Overall Rating: 3.5/5


When Brianna posts her reviews of the books that I recommended to her, I will post them here.