Thursday, March 24, 2016

Iconic Banned Books?!

Hey ya'll,
Before March is over with I have to bring to light some iconic books that have been banned or counted out because of certain individuals believing that these books are a threat to a child's mind and therefore should be banned for all children or be labeled so that parents are discouraged from purchasing them. In my opinion these books are amazing and I was so shocked when I had discovered these iconic books are even on such a list.

#1.  The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC0PDA/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?ie=UTF8&btkr=1

Quote

"I hope she'll be a fool—that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool,"
says Daisy.


#2. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004JHYRMW/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?ie=UTF8&btkr=1

Quote

"Jewel's mother is a horse," Darl said.

#3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

http://www.amazon.com/Kill-Mockingbird-2-Book/dp/B011P5GW5K/ref=sr_1_1_ha?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1458788238&sr=1-1&keywords=to+kill+a+mockingbird

Quote

"Remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird," Atticus stated.


#4. Animal Farm by George Orwell

http://www.amazon.com/Animal-Farm-George-Orwell-ebook/dp/B018TVAAG0/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1458788185&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=anima+farm

Quote

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

#5. A Separate Peace by John Knowles

http://www.amazon.com/Separate-Peace-John-Knowles-ebook/dp/B00JN7BNR0/ref=sr_1_1_ha?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1458788282&sr=1-1&keywords=a+separate+peace

Quote

"I never killed anybody and I never developed an intense level of hatred for the enemy," says Gene.

#6. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R.Tolkien

http://www.amazon.com/Fellowship-Ring-Being-First-Rings-ebook/dp/B007978NPG/ref=sr_1_sc_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1458788577&sr=1-3-spell&keywords=lord+of+the+rings+by+j+r+r+tolkein

Quote

Sam: "I made a promise, Mr. Frodo. A promise."

#7. The Color Purple by Alice Walker

http://www.amazon.com/Color-Purple-Alice-Walker-ebook/dp/B005NY4QGM/ref=sr_1_1_ha?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1458790810&sr=1-1&keywords=the+color+purple

Quote

"Us sleep like sisters, me and Shug."

#8. The Lord of the Flies by William Golding

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OCXIRG/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?ie=UTF8&btkr=1

Quote

"There isn't anyone to help you. Only me," -The Lord of the Flies


I have read each of these books and they all taught me valuable lessons about history and human morale. I feel that instead of challenging these books we should try to incorporate them into education today for students in higher grades.
I love these books and they have been ranked under no order.

If you are a parent or a lover of books then these are reads you do not want to miss out on!

Until Next Time ;)

For more Information go to: Banned & Challenged Books





Thursday, March 17, 2016

Book Review #22: Cogling by Jordan Elizabeth

Hey ya'll,
So I was given the opportunity to read Cogling by Jordan Elizabeth and it was everything that I had hoped it to be.

For those of you unfamiliar with Elizabeth's work I want to inform you that she is known for creating these captivating steampunk based novels! I have read two books from Elizabeth's Treasure Series which really set the bar high for my expectations in regards to reading Cogling.



Honestly, I was very skeptical about how Elizabeth was going to incorporate steampunk into Cogling. I thought that she couldn't possibly create another amazing novel that is truly unique and different in every way. And I was so wrong! Elizabeth kept me highly entertained and I was left begging for more once finishing Cogling.

For those of you that are unfamiliar with this story I will let you know that it involves a young girl named Edna and her search for her brother Harrison along with a "friend" as she realizes that Harrison has been replaced by a Cogling, which are mechanical machines that are dressed to look like humans.

I loved this urban world Elizabeth created that is set in this steampunk city overrun with corrupt cops that agree with whoever pays the most. And the struggling city nature that shows how the poor only get poorer and that opportunities are slim to none.

My favorite character would have to be Edna! I admired how she stuck to her faith and had such bravery when deciding to venture off with an unknown Ike all to save her brother Harrison from a terrible future. In addition, I really saw Edna take on this "motherly" role for her brother Harrison as her mother worked as a showgirl for what would appear to be a brothel.  Also, Edna really sees the good in everyone which I proclaim to not only be a good quality in her, but it can make her become prey to those who may take advantage of her kindness which is shown when she is tricked into slavery by a seemingly helping hand.

Ike who decides to willingly help Edna was the most surprising and secretive character of all. I enjoyed being able to read about his connections to the people that are thought to be behind the creation of Coglings and how Ike has such perseverance just so he can settle a vendetta he has with some powerful people.

However, the incorporation of dragons was the most interesting part of this story. It wasn't clear if they were mechanical or not, but when dealing with steampunk I assumed they were hybrids of both dragon and machine which worked well for my imagination when incorporating all the details Elizabeth had given me about what purpose dragons had in this novel.

Overall, this book was incredible and I felt as if I was watching a movie with each chapter becoming more suspenseful than the next....

Rating: *****

I loved this book and I recommend it to readers of all ages!!!!!

Have you read this book? Do you agree or disagree with what I had to say?
Tell me, I want to her your thoughts!
Until Next Time ;*

If you want to request that I check out a book then tweet me on twitter @AuthorKMJ using the following hashtags

#KMJ #Review #InsertBookNameHere

P.S. I never like to spoil the endings of a book. If you truly want to hear a few spoilers then look out for my YouTube show KMJ Reveals which is debuting this April on my channel!


Monday, March 14, 2016

Novels Get Better with Time?!

Hey ya'll,
So like most of you around the world I am suffering from the affects of Daylight Savings time. I'm tired, cranky, and most of all off on my timing with my work. And I thought to myself  'what can I do to show others how affected I am by Daylights Saving?'. That's when it hits me to showcase to you some time bending novels that will leave you dazed and confused about reality itself. Check these books out!



Synopsis

If you had the chance to go back and relive the last 25 years of your life, retaining all the knowledge and memories you have now; what would you do?

Three very different people from different locations, die at the same moment in time and re-awaken at that moment, only it is 25 years earlier. Two men and one woman are reborn in their young and healthy bodies, but their minds retain the memories of their previous lifetime.

Will the abused wife choose a different path?
Will the stockbroker choose a different wife?
Will the serial killer continue on his spree of murder?

My Opinion

I can never say this enough! I love books that are unique and stand out from the status quo that books have seemed to garner over the years. First off, have you read this synopsis?! This book is screaming best-seller to me. If you don't have this book then be sure to get it now.
I have my #Kindle copy!
What captivates me about this story is that these characters are different, but have so many parallels in making big decisions because of what has happened to them.




Synopsis

Robert Tracy is spirited away from his own execution. A top-secret government project makes him an offer he can't refuse: work for us or disappear permanently. With no choice, he embarks on a mission to undo a terrorist attack that has already occurred, by being sent back in time 36 hours.

But all is not as it seems. Soon, a conspiracy at the highest level of government to seize total power over the country threatens the second chance at life he has been given. Not knowing whom he can trust, he must fight to survive and save himself, as well as a woman in the past who was drawn into the battle for the very survival of the country.

Spanning both time, and the width of America, 36 is a unique thrill ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

My Opinion

I love conspiracy theory novels! I plan on majoring in political science and this book is right up my alley as far as government goes. I cannot wait to see what becomes of this novel as Robert Tracy bravely races against the clock.




Synopsis

Following her death in a plane crash, Celine discovers that neither heaven nor hell is an option for her. Miraculously, she's transformed into the antagonist of the book she'd read prior to her demise. Now she must navigate this strange new immortal life, knowing that the antagonist's journey won't end well. Between covering up her devil ancestry in an immortal school and trying to understand her feelings for a senior apprentice, can Celine circumvent her impending doomsday to create a favorable plot twist?

My Opinion



Synopsis

When HANNAH KRAEGER saves a family injured in a car accident, she has no idea she has changed events in the past. Waking the next morning, Hannah discovers her yesterday was really five years ago.

Each trip Hannah takes through time changes the timeline and her own life. With help from DR. SETH MCALLISTER, Hannah must unravel the mystery of why she time travels and who she actually is before the strange ability costs her future, the man she loves, and even her life.

My Opinion

This novel is so amazing to me because it allows for readers to be put into the shoes of the main character Hannah Kraeger. I love feeling as if I am right there with Hannah as she is discovering who she is and how to overcome this disruptive time cycle she has been put in.
Very interesting novel!




Synopsis

The clock tower is the center of the town of Time. It counts down the hours, minutes and seconds of every passing day. But unbeknownst to the local inhabitants, it is at the center of a great deal more than that. It is the center of the universe and controls time itself. But it is old and beginning to break, sending the world’s inhabitants skipping forward and back through time.

Seventeen-year-old Jera Wythnos, betrothed to marry a powerful lord, runs to escape her responsibilities and pursue her dream of traveling the world. Hot on her heels is her betrothed, moving heaven and earth to find her before the wedding day.

Elian Stump is an outlaw on the run from a bungled heist, but he carries with him a dangerous secret that threatens to either free or ensnare the world.

They confront sinister forces at every turn, hell bent on preventing them from achieving their goal, and taking control of the clock tower for themselves.

The universe has chosen this unlikely pair to collect all three replacement clock pieces scattered across the world before the clock tower, and time, breaks for good. On their journey they make friends and enemies, encounter strange and wonderful mythical creatures, and face their own internal demons.

My Opinion

As I always say 'Love triangles make the world go round!' and this novel has one going on at the heart of it's story. This book is perfect for teens and has a very Divergent-like theme to it. There's a girl who is forced to become someone she isn't. A king who believes that the "system" is always right. The handsome/mysterious man who can't stay away. And the awful truth that fate has in store.




Synopsis

What if you were studying for your Ph.D. in archaeology and decided to take a break from your crummy life by working on an archaeological dig in Israel?

What if you met a great guy in Jerusalem who happened to be a world-famous theoretical physicist working on a crazy idea to build a wormhole that might make time-travel possible … someday?

What if he had a nutball colleague who turned the theory into reality — and then decided to use YOU as a guinea pig to make sure it was safe?

What if the nutball had a gun and went on a crazy, impossible mission to hunt down and kill the apostle Paul?

It’s A.D. 57 when Rivka Meyers walks out of the wormhole into a world she’s only studied in books. Ancient Jerusalem is awesome! Rivka can’t believe her friend Ari Kazan’s theory actually worked. But when she runs into Ari’s whacko colleague, Damien West, in the Temple, Rivka starts to smell a rat.

When Ari discovers that Damien and Rivka have gone through a wormhole that’s on the edge of collapse, he has to make a horrible choice: Follow them and risk never coming back — or lose the woman of his dreams forever.

My Opinion

I am a big reader when it comes to diverse books. And I love that this novel is taking place somewhere that mimics the Middle East. I can definitely see this becoming a future film someday. And I hope you all give this beautiful story a chance and join Rivka, Ari, and Damien as they "tamper" with time.


These novels are all amazing and have no "special" reason for being ranked. Have you read these novels? What did you think? Tell me, I want to hear what you have to say!
Until Next Time ;*











Thursday, March 10, 2016

Book Circles Are a Terrible Idea?!

Hey ya'll,
I am so sorry for not posting lately, but school, life, and an event I'm doing next week has kept me away. However, I am back with new blog posts that are sure to be beneficial for authors and aspiring writers.


So as I continue my writing journey something I noticed is that authors partake in book circles. And for those of you that are unfamiliar with book circles here is a brief description of what they are:

Book Circles

-A process in which authors agree mutually to review another authors book in exchange that they read their book. Whether it is free or not is to be determined by the authors participating in the book swap.

I personally, do not believe that book circles are effective and profit building at all. I feel that in order to build a profit you must gain money that out weighs what you are spending. If another author decides to be in a book circle with you and you are both buying each others book, but the other authors book costs way more than yours then it causes you to lose out on money instead of gaining it.

Also, I feel that book circles can be deceiving to readers. When I see a review for something I'm interested in buying I like the fact that individuals bought a book because they are genuinely interested in it and not because they may feel pressured to write a good review for the sake of "helping" another author out.

I know that some may say that book circles increase reviews and therefore increases the awareness of their books, but does it really? Is the cost of having to buy someone else's novel worth it to get someone to buy yours even if your book may cost way less?

All in all I just believe that book circles are a bad idea. And I would say that this is a juvenile mistake that happens only with new emerging authors, but I'm finding that book circles are being used by those who have been publishing for years.

If the author you are doing your book exchange with has sold close to a million copies of their book and is doing you a favor by reading your novel and reviewing it then it is beneficial. However, if the person who is engaging in this book circle with you barely has any activity on social media and is unsuccessful with selling their own novel then how can they help "sell" your book to others.

It is the year 2016 and I believe that it is time that authors put stipulations on book circles to give themselves and those they are networking with a better advantage when reviewing one another's book.

Do you agree or disagree with me? Go ahead and sound off in the comments! Tell me how you feel.

Until Next Time! ;*