So Is This Really the Most Dangerous Place on Earth??? (review)

TITLE: The Most Dangerous Place on Earth
AUTHOR: Lindsey Lee Johnson
PUBLISHER: Random House
PUBLISHING DATE: January 10, 2017

FROM GOODREADS: In an idyllic community of wealthy California families, new teacher Molly Nicoll becomes intrigued by the hidden lives of her privileged students. Unknown to Molly, a middle school tragedy in which they were all complicit continues to reverberate for her kids: Nick, the brilliant scam artist; Emma, the gifted dancer and party girl; Dave, the B student who strives to meet his parents expectations; Calista, the hippie outcast who hides her intelligence for reasons of her own. Theirs is a world in which every action may become public postable, shareable, indelible. With the rare talent that transforms teenage dramas into compelling and urgent fiction, Lindsey Lee Johnson makes vivid a modern adolescence lived in the gleam of the virtual, but rich with the sorrow, passion, and beauty of life in any time, and at any age.

MY THOUGHTS: So, wanna know where the most dangerous place on earth is located - it's apparently a privileged high school in California. Now I pretty much believe high schools are probably more dangerous now than they ever were when I was in school, but being the most dangerous, I probably beg to differ.

"The Most Dangerous Place on Earth" tells the story of a group of privileged, bratty teenagers attending Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley, California. When the group was in 6th grade, a tragedy occurred in which a fellow bullied classmate commits suicide and all of our main characters had some role in what happened. We then fast forward to high school to see what affect this tragedy has had on them. Let's just say there are no humanitarian awards in these kids' futures. Add in Moly Nicoll, a young new teacher on the scene who is naive and wants to save everybody and you pretty much have the entire cast. This book has it all - drugs, alcohol, slut-shaming, bullying, class "wars," and illicit sex with a teacher. It's good that the author isn't afraid to tackle these subjects and I believe they do need addressed. However, who is primarily missing are the parents, who have ignored their children for years, bought them off with money and other materialistic things, and who have shaped these children in more ways than they will ever know by their missing presence.

I really struggled with this book at times. I don't have a lot of patience for bratty teenagers in my life and that's all this book contained. I'm sure I was probably supposed to be feeling sorry for them, but all I could think of was children who struggle for everything in life and still never get into the trouble these ones do. The book alternated chapters between the various juvenile cast and Ms. Nicoll and as I continued on, the chapters about the teenage angst were getting so much longer that I basically prayed for the book to end. I actuality, this book is probably closer to 2.5/5 than 2/5 but since Goodreads doesn't allow 1/2 point ratings, it is what it is. I'm sure plenty of people will like this book and I have read some really favorable reviews, it just wasn't the book for me. Oh well, better luck next time.

I received this book from the Penguin First to Read program in exchange for an honest review.

RATING: 2 PAWS

 

Stacking the Shelves (93)

Stacking the Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves or TBR piles, may it be physical or virtual.  This means you can include books you buy in a physical store, online, books you borrow from the library or friends, review books, gifts and of course, ebooks! The original meme was started over at Tynga's Reviews.  Clicking on the book (or title) should take you to the Goodreads page. 

First of all, Tor sent me a copy of the next installment in Marie Brennan's novella Ree Varekai series.  I'm beyond thrilled to have this in my little hands (or technically in my e-readers). I LOVE the cover on Lightning in the Blood.

Next, I received a few galleys for review through Netgalley.  Some Kind of Magic is one I've had my eye on for some time and I was thrilled to get approved.  I'm also beyond excited to see what Game of Shadows is all about - I'm pretty sure I've seen it on some W.O.W. features somewhere.  And finally, one of my guilty pleasures in "The Real Housewives of Atlanta."  They are all such a hot mess it's like a train-wreck you have to watch.  So when I saw Sheree Whitfield has written a fiction series, I was eager to give it a go. I vow to read more urban fantasy in 2017 so what better way than with Kim Harrison's The Turn.  Tor graciously approved me for Miranda and Caliban and I think a lot of people are looking forward to it.  I read the first two books in the Barkery and Biscuits series last year and Bad to the Bone has the cutest cover!

I also got a few books from Book Depository I had ordered.  The Christmas Guest was one I couldn't resist (go figure).  Hexenhaus is a historical fiction about witches and Just for Christmas sounded way too cute.  I doubt I'll get it read for this year but definitely for next.

So what did you add to your shelves this week.  I'm really excited for all of these and am already looking forward to my 2017 reading plans!

Cloak & Dagger Challenge Sign Up

So hopefully many of you have seen my sign up post HERE.  I thought I better post my sign-up post so everyone can see my goals.  I easily completed my goals last year so I am aiming a tad bit higher this year.  This year I am hope to read INSPECTOR status which is 26-35 books.   I would love to aim for SHERLOCK HOLMES but I think that's just too much for me.  I'm sure Stormi will achieve it easily though as she rocked this challenge last year.  I also want to do the mini-challenge which is read a series in a year.  I've wanted to read the Longmire books for ages so I hope to knock them out in 2017 (I will admit that before doing this post, I didn't realize how many there were so I hope I don't regret this).

So there you have it.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Weekly Reads (12/16/16) - The Christmas is Kicking My Butt Edition

I don't know why but every year I think I am getting an early start on the holidays and then every year, it seems I am doing things right down to the wire.  I have ALMOST all of my shopping done (except a small thing here or there that is no problem to grab on a lunch break or something) but nothing is wrapped.  The Christmas tree is going up Sunday during the Steeler game so that way I can knock two birds out with one stone (don't tell Cassius I mentioned knocking birds with anything him being a bird lover and all).  Seems likes there has been a tad bit of family drama going on - not in MY home though - but that's usually par for the course.  Is there something about Christmas that makes everyone crazy - me included?

We did watch two movies this week which was nice.  We ordered "Train to Busan" off Amazon streaming and I was very aware that it was a foreign zombie film - but hey, Stephen King said it was really good so we thought "why not?"  However, it had no freakin' subtitles - what's up with that.  Almost 2 hours of movie and I didn't understand a word they said. The plot appeared good and I actually didn't hate it but the last hour or so, I was making up my own dialog.  We also watched "Suicide Squad" and I LOVED IT!  Harley Quinn is my anti-hero!  She's so awesome.  And I really enjoyed Will Smith as Deadshot.  I highly recommend this movie and it has started my quest for a Harley Quinn POP! figurine.

So reading has been slow but I am about half way through with "The Most Dangerous Place on Earth." I'm really enjoying it but once it is done, I'm going to have to dive into my Christmas reads. This is what's up on the agenda this week (when I'm not wrapping...or baking cookies....or working....or, you get the idea!)

I can't resist that dog any longer and the last two will count for my Winter COYER challenge which starts tomorrow.  Hope everyone has a great week!

Flights of Fantasy Reading Challenge 2017

So this is a new challenge for me but it recently caught my eye and since I had planned on adding a new challenge or two next year, I decided to go for it.  I love Alexa Loves Books blog and enjoy seeing what new fantasy titles she is reading so I look forward to participating in 2017.  Here are the rules to the challenge which is hosted by Alexa Loves Books and Hello, Chelly.

* Challenge yourself to read a certain number of fantasy books.  Share your challenge number in a comment, a blog post, a tweet or whatever you can think of (feel free to be creative).

* Around the last week of the each month, we'll be sharing our personal updates on how the challenge is going for us.  We'll be including a Linky, just in case you decide to do the same (totally optional).

* As mentioned, there will be giveaways!  If you want to gain bonus entries, you can read some of the favorites which are posted in the sign up post on each blog.

There are more details on each blog which I have linked above.  In addition, they have a Book Club pick each quarter.


So I look forward to seeing how this one goes.  I plan on reading 18 fantasy books in 2017.  That may be a bit ambitious but I think it can be done.  I also plan on reading a few of the favorites Alexa and Chelly have mentioned which include Throne of Glass, Truthwitch and its sequel and Queen of the Tearling.

What an Animal Challenge 2017

So I'm starting to plan my 2017 challenges and of course, this is an automatic for me.  I really enjoyed it last year and met my goal in July. Although Yvonne, the host, has changed the rules somewhat for 2017, I still doubt I will have much trouble with it.  I'm also aiming a tad bit higher than I did last year. So here are the rules.

1. Any book read for this challenge has to have an animal that plays a major role in the book (which could be fiction or non-fiction).  It also counts if a main character is (or turns into) an animal (define that however you'd like).  In the past, books would qualify if an animal is in the title or the cover, but that alone no longer qualifies.  This challenge is for books related to animals and just because they are in the title or on the cover, doesn't mean it's about an animal.

These are the levels:
LEVEL 1 - Read 6 books
LEVEL 2 - Read 7-12 books
LEVEL 3 - Read 13-20 books
LEVEL 4 - Read 21 or more

2.  The animal can be any type of animal (real or fictitious ) - dog, cat, monkey, wolf, snake, insect, hedgehog, aardvark...dragon, mermaid, centaur, vampire, werewolf...you get the idea.

3.  The challenge runs from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017.

4.  Books can be fiction or non-fiction.

5.  You may make a list of books at the beginning of the challenge or just add them as you find them.

6.  Book titles may be swapped out at anytime (if you made a list to start with).

7.  Crossovers with other challenges are permitted and encouraged.

8.  You don't have to have a blog or write a review, but you can if you  want to.  If you don't have a blog, just post in the comment section that you'd like to join.  You can post your books in there.  Or you can sign up by joining the Goodreads group.

9. Books can be in any format,

10.  Use the Mister Linky on Yvonne's blog to sign up.  There will also be links for reviews and wrap up posts.

So I've decided to shoot for LEVEL 3 this year.  I think I can do it!  If you want to join as well, here is the link - Socrates' Book Reviews.

Come join the fun!!!

Waiting on Wednesday (86)

"Waiting on" Wednesday" is weekly meme hosted over at Breaking the Spine which spotlights upcoming anticipated releases.

                                                                       MAY 16, 2017


FROM GOODREADS: Amber Sand is not a witch. The Sand family Wicca gene somehow leapfrogged over her. But she did get one highly specific magical talent: she can see true love. As a matchmaker, Amber's pretty far down the sorcery food chain (even birthday party magicians rank higher), but after five seconds of eye contact, she can envision anyone's soul mate.

Amber works at her mother's magic shop--Windy City Magic--in downtown Chicago, and she's confident she's seen every kind of happy ending there is: except for one--her own. (The Fates are tricky jerks that way.) So when Charlie Blitzman, the mayor's son and most-desired boy in school, comes to her for help finding his father's missing girlfriend, she's distressed to find herself falling for him. Because while she can't see her own match, she can see his--and it's not Amber. How can she, an honest peddler of true love, pursue a boy she knows full well isn't her match?

The Best Kind of Magic is set in urban Chicago and will appeal to readers who long for magic in the real world. With a sharp-witted and sassy heroine, a quirky cast of mystical beings, and a heady dose of adventure, this novel will have you laughing out loud and questioning your belief in happy endings.

WHY I'M WAITING:  While I really like the cover, it's the mention of witches and a quirky cast of mystical beings which really grabs my attention.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR THIS WEEK?