My name is Tiffany, and I'm addicted to Karen Kingsbury novels...

So, it's true...I'm an addict. Thankfully, just to books, Karen Kingsbury novels, to be exact.  Now, if you haven't read any of Karen's books, shame on you.  I will give you a reprieve....but only if you go out and get Redemption today and immediately start reading it!  :)  The final installment of her Bailey Flanigan series is released tomorrow, and I am extremely excited.  I imagine I'll be finished by Thursday.  But, I thought that reading Loving will probably consume most of my extra time for the next couple days, so I wanted to get a post done before I start :)

I was introduced to Karen Kingsbury last year.  I had several friends who told me I should read some of her books, (Linda Leighton and Carrie Douglas) so I picked up a few of her stand alone books, like Oceans Apart and Between Sundays.  They were fantastic.  Karen is an amazing story-teller, and as you read her novels you feel like you get to know her characters personally.  The stories are usually heart-wrenching and emotional, which gets you even more attached to the characters.  I suggest you have tissues on hand any time you pick up one of Kingsbury's books!

Well, after Carrie loaned me almost 25 different Kingsbury novels, I decided I might as well begin reading the Redemption Series, a series of novels Karen has written about the beloved Baxter family.  I was immediately hooked, and I didn't stop reading....until I ran out of books!  That leaves me here, sitting, waiting impatiently, anxiously wanting to know what the future holds for Bailey Flanigan.  I have my ideas of what I want to happen, but I will be happy with whatever Karen decides for Bailey, Cody, and Brandon, I think. ;)

Honestly, it's really hard to do a review considering I've read all 21 books that lead up to Loving being released tomorrow. In fact, my post would probably be too long for you all to read.  But, if you love a good, down to earth story, you NEED to read Karen's series.  Start with Redemption, and don't look back!  I guarantee you will love them all and that you may find yourself sitting in bed late at night with your books, when you should be sleeping!  I have a feeling that's what I'll be doing tomorrow night... :) 

Enjoy, and Happy Reading!

Tiffany Lynn

The Next Hunger Games....?

Well, thanks to a croupy toddler I was up most of the night last Friday. So, naturally, I opened my Kindle and finished another book, Pandemonium, by Lauren Oliver. Pandemonium is the sequel to Delirium, which I finished earlier this week. First of all, remember my last post when I said I almost always enjoy the first installment more then the sequel?? Forget I ever said it. These two books were AWESOME. In fact, when I finished Pandemonium at 5:00am I totally wished someone else was #1 awake at that ungodly hour, and #2 willing to let me tell them all about the crazy ending. I'm pretty sure Nate wouldn't have appreciated it if I woke him up to give him my official review.

So, here it goes. Shockingly, Delirium and Pandemonium are set in the dystopian future, like apparently all new novels. (or at least all of the ones I've been reading) In Delirium we learn that love as we know it is now known as a disease. Teens are "cured" of this deadly disease on their 17th birthday through a surgery removing part of their brain. They are then given a list of their suitable matches, they pick one, and they're married. Yeah, sounds awesome, right?!  They take the "love makes you crazy" idea very literally.

Those who end up falling in love are deemed sick, locked up, executed, or end up committing suicide. At first, I was kinda put off by this negative image. However, as the book progressed, and Lena (the main character) begins to develop "deliria," it becomes a true love story that is IMPOSSIBLE to put down. It's a story of friendship and romance that has tons of twists and turns. I guarantee you'll  feel connected to Lena, Hana, Grace, and Alex.

Both Delirium and Pandemonium end dramatically and surprisingly, wanting to pick,up  the next book as soon as possible.  These are probably my favorite books since The Hunger Games. BUT...the third in the trilogy isn't out til NEXT YEAR! UGH! If you read them, let me know what you think. :)

Happy Reading!

Tiffany Lynn

29 books, 11 weeks

Yes, it's true. I've read 29 books in 11 weeks. And yes, believe it or not, I actually do more then sit on my couch all day and stare at my Kindle. I have 2 kids who keep me busy, I work full time, I workout several times a week, and I even keep my house in order, kind of... ;) Anyways, since I'm just starting my blog, I thought I'd go back and list all of the books I've read so far in 2012.

1. Tim Tebow's autobiography, Through My Eyes

Karen Kingsbury Redemption Series
2. Redemption
3. Remember
4. Return
5. Rejoice
6. Reunion

Karen Kingsbury Firstborn Series
7. Fame
8. Forgiven
9. Found
10.Family
11.Forever

Karen Kingsbury Summer Series
12.Sunrise
13.Summer
14.Someday
15.Sunset

Karen Kingsbury Above the Line Series
16. Take One
17. Take Two
18. Take Three
19. Take Four

Karen Kingsbury Bailey Flanigan Series
20. Learning
21. Leaving
22. Longing

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
23. The Hunger Games
24. Catching Fire
25. Mockingjay

26. Flee by JA Konrath and Ann Voss Peterson

27. Divergent by Veronica Roth

28. Matched by Ally Condie
29. Crossed by Ally Condie

After physically typing all those books titles, one thing's for sure...readers are apparently bored with long titles these days. Whatever happened to The Catcher in the Rye, To Kill A Mockingbird, or The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn? Hmmm...Just a thought...

Anyways, I'll probably go back and discuss several of these books in future posts, but I'd like to talk about Crossed, which I finished last night, while it's still fresh on my mind. Crossed is the sequel to Matched by Ally Condie. Let me start by talking about sequels, in general. In nearly every instance, I like the first book  more then the sequel, and this was no exception. That being said, I still really enjoyed Crossed and highly recommend both books.  If you can imagine a world where teenagers don't select whom they date, but the government carefully matches each person with their "perfect" mate, you can see where Matched begins. I know, creepy, right?! If I was "matched" with someone who was perfect for me when I was seventeen, who knows what life would be like now :) But, Cassia has grown up in a world where this is the reality, and when she's matched with her best friend, Xander, everything seems to be perfect. However, when she finds herself falling for someone else, and beginning to doubt everything the government stands for, life takes a dramatic turn. In Condie's novels, we get to follow Cassia through her journey to discover whom she loves, what she truly believes in, and whom she can trust in the Society.  I don't want to give away too much, but these two books have everything an avid reader needs: love, deception, rebellion, mystery, intrigue, and even a little violence! If you liked The Hunger Games, you'll enjoy reading Matched and Crossed.  Oh, and the third book in the series, Reached, comes out in November, so there's something to look forward to ;)

Happy Reading!

Tiffany Lynn

Let's start at the very beginning...it's a very good place to start...

Well, I guess starting at the very beginning would require A LOT of back story...and since this is my first blog, that seems a little overwhelming. I'll spare you all the long, boring details of my love of literature and just give a brief synopsis.

I have loved reading for as long as I can remember. In fact, music and literature have always my two passions. If I wouldn't have chosen music education, I would probably be an English teacher today...and, in turn, my job would have been much more secure. ;) Oh well, you live and learn.

This past Christmas, my love of reading was rekindled when my husband bought me a Kindle Fire. I definitely read more often and more efficiently. HOWEVER, the ease of which I can purchase books is quite terrifying. Some love it, and some hate it. Frankly, I'm afraid to leave the house without it. :)

Anyways, I digress. My blog will be simple reviews of books I've read, suggestions on what you should read next, and books you might want to return to the library before you waste your time. I know I am always looking for the next Hunger Games trilogy, so maybe I can help you find yours. Oh, and The Hunger Games series is a great place to start if you haven't read them. Besides, the movie's being released in 10 days!! You don't have much time. ;)

I look forward to sharing with you, and if you have ideas of books you'd like me to read...let me know. 

Happy Reading!

Tiffany Lynn