You Wouldn't Want to Finish School

When passing on criminal TV shows, corpses and missing people are never a surprising theme for whoever watches it. And usually these shows show you the side of the criminal as if also telling the story from their point of view. Criminal Minds (admittedly one of my favorite TV shows) is one of those.  I would not have thought there would be an episode I wouldn’t know about until I stopped by this book in the mystery section of my library.

Published in 2008, this novel was written by Max Collins in third narrative. It involves the famous BAU most of us well know from Criminal Minds; Agent Rossi, Hotchner, Prentiss, JJ, Reid, Morgan, and of course last but not least, Penelope Garcia. In the small place of Bemidji, Minnesota; three hunters find a skeleton hand peaking from a bush and from then on the investigation ensues. The BAU team work to find out the criminal mind behind this and begin to find a link to something far worse.

Although Collins gives the traditional frame of a Criminal Minds episode, there are parts of the book where there is too much focus on the description of the setting. Thus, making it seem like Collins is trying too hard to appeal to the occasional loyal Criminal Minds fan.  Nevertheless, I love opening to the beginning of the book and finding the opening quote that is always a tradition with a Criminal Minds episode. Collins made sure to end it on that note.  If you are a Criminal Minds fan, you might just dwell in this rendition of Criminal Minds.

Dead is the New Black (Indeed)

A quick read is always needed when someone is on the go. And this one is just the adventure needed when say sitting in an office bench.

The adventure, or rather the story, starts exactly as it is happening. Written in first person narrative in the voice of Daisy Giordano, Dead is the New Black by Marlene Perez; revolves around Nightshade, a town where strange happenings tend to occur. For Daisy and the rest of the inhabitants of Nightshade, these happenings are just part of everyday life; until a girl is found dead with unknown causes and the "it" girl, Samantha Devereaux, comes in Nightshade High sporting an outrageous new look. Things are not starting out good. Especially when Daisy's mom, a psychic who works on helping solve crimes, comes home in need of help on the case of the dead girl.

Trust this book to bring you back in that cozy Nancy Drew drive with a mystery that will remind you of Scooby-Doo. Although, there won't be any monster chase with multiple doors to imagine, there is quite a romance and your cliche of highschool dances to read and picture.

Til next review,

Eleanor Bobo

Bookmarks Galore Again!

front view

So far, I am still reading a couple of books right now and looking for more. In the mean time, I have been letting out that creative spark by making more and more bookmarks. Three have been finished and 2 are already in the process of being made. I want to sell them but I am still debating whether or not I want to deal with Etsy fees or worse...rejection from any one in particular. Although, I do know I will be handing out a few free ones to friends and family in hope they will spread the word but I can never know unless I step forward and make a choice. I am thinking selling some at my local flea market and see if it becomes popular. As for now, I will continue reading, reviewing, drawing and philosophizing.


til next review/rambling,
Miss Bobo

the back view

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

Being a fantasy genre freak (not ashamed to say it) I have read a share of books involving faeries, witches, vampires, wizards, wizard school (cough cough Potter cough cough) but reading this book was reading a unique magical adventure I wouldn’t really find in any other fantasy novel.

Published this year, Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor  is written in third person narrative mostly surrounding the progress of Sunny, the main character of the story. Sunny is albino and American now living in Nigeria. At school everyone makes fun of her for her skin color but after finding a gift of her own, things become more unsettling and adventurous for her than she would have figured to handle.

Although, there were some parts that reminded me of Harry Potter, I realized this is way different than Harry Potter. There is a merging of cultures and languages that spice up the book along with its vibrant language and captivating imagery. Okorafor makes sure to also expose certain issues of our own world into the voices of the characters.  I am thankful to have chosen this book. 

Vampires Can Evolve!

No you will not ever read a page where there is someone sucking someone’s blood in this series. This is more the general of the whole in between species romance than the the actual gory lifestyle of a vampire shown in series like Sookie Stackhouse and the Mercy series by Brashares. There is somewhat of an adventure within these pages. When it comes down to Raven, the main character, there is always some snooping. Think of her as the gothic version of Nancy Drew.

However, for this installment in the Vampire Kisses series, Raven is more worried about her vampire boyfriend’s family reunion after a surprise letter of their arrival comes in Alexander’s mailbox. Expectations and funny dinners start to happen and to top it all off Raven who is sixteen is now forced to face herself in what she really wants to do with her life.

This book isn’t as much of a ride for me, but rather a cliché goth fairytale romance with a moral to its continuation. 

Exciting and All the Best to Come *crosses her fingers*

I will tell you a personal aspiration of mine: I want to be a journalist. Read books and get paid to write about them; maybe even make my own magazine. Although for now I do my own writing unpaid. But its worth everything. Still wondering why does this have anything to relate with the blog: I GOT A REVIEW PUBLISHED FOR FREE! Yes, folks you heard it right here. Click this link: (http://culturemob.com/review-stacey-jays-dead-on-the-delta) to see it right here and don't forget to keep looking for my book reviews on this blog.
Til next review
Eleanor Bobo