Svetlana's Reads and Views

I have kept this blog up since May of 2010, a suggestion to do something. Since that fateful time, I have come across some books I couldn't stand. Most people have a knee-jerk reaction of "how can this piece of garbage be published?" "Were editors asleep on their jobs?" While those are some of my knee-jerk reactions, especially pertaining to Twilight and Fifty Shades, I think that lessons towards writing and self can be also gleaned from the books you will happily give to your worst enemy as a birthday gift. I will mention something positive about the books too, and if they're popular their impact on society. I will go over some of the zero star books, as well as some authors I just CANNOT stand. Just so you know, there will be a piece titled "Lessons I learned from the Books I loved". Let's begin. Fifty Shades Trilogy by E.L James  Positive impact: The only positive thing it has done is perhaps popularize the BDSM issue, as well as give...

Title: Breath in the Dark; a Childhood Lost Author: Jane Hersey First copyright date: 2012 Type of book: Poverty, food, deprivation, lack of love, child caretakers, Great Britain, mental illnesses, 1960s, Judaism in Great Britain General subject matter: Child caretakers, poverty, fear, attachment Special features: N/A Price: 7.99 pounds ISBN/ASIN: 978-1-78088-165-2 Summary: Settling down on the bed, I stroked the plump, still body, watching my mother's face just to make sure she was still breathing. As a 6 year old that was all I wanted, not toys or chocolates or comforts, just to know my mother was still alive was enough. Jane Hersey's biography is told through the thoughts and voice of a traumatized, isolated child, enduring the stresses and strains of day-to-day life under difficult circumstances in 1960s Manchester. As a six year old child with sole care of a mother suffering with clinical depression, diabetes and eating disorders, Jane is ostrac...

Okay, let's reveal this little by little. *Warning: No pornography or nudity is included* Who remembers Sophia, Alistair and Ethan? Anyone? Does anyone remember what series or books they are from? Hints: The two books are rated five stars. The author's first name begins with a C Her last name begins with an S The series begin with a letter T. Warm yet? You aren't supposed to come out! *Link to review* *Sweats and wipes forehead with handkerchief* Sorry about that, just having some technical difficulties... Get back get back! *Link to review* Okay, since I've tortured you guys enough, let's put our hands together for the third book cover titled Trust; Pandora's Box! Along with the gorgeous book cover comes a tantalizing book description which makes my hands itch badly to get it. Here it is! Trust Trilogy Book Three Cristiane Serruya Genre: Adult Contemporary Roman...

Name of Book:  A Light in the Cane Fields Author:  Enrico Antiporda ISBN:   9781434881557 Publisher:  Createspace Type of book:  Phillipines, History, 1960s, guerilla, politics, Asia, tropics, sibling reationship, wealth, secrets Year it was published:  2013 Summary: Top Semi finalist, 2008 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. Manuscript Review from Publisher's Weekly "This coming-of-age story chronicling a Filipino boy's wrenching passage from son of privilege to guerilla fighter is a stylistic tour-de-force. From its first lines, the saga of Jando Flores seizes readers with the same chilling intensity as the cold water that wraps around Jando's chest as he hides in a river to escape a gang of pillaging cutthroats. While such murderous militias dispossess cane farmers in the Central Plains of the Philippines, the NPA (a brutal leftist insurgency) combats the government troops of Ferdinand Marcos and the ruthless sugar barons who steal ...

Title: Truth be told; Adam becomes Audrey Author: Alexandra Bogdanovic First copyright date: 2012 Type of book: Transgender, marriage, coping, reporting, intimacy, togetherness, lost dreams General subject matter: Transgender individuals, marriage and its impact on a human being Special features: N/A Price: $13.99 ISBN/ASIN: 978-1-60911-538-8 Summary: Chastity Bono is now Chaz. Her decision to "become" a man made headlines around the world, but she is not alone. Transgender men and women frequently appear on television talk shows and reality programs to share their stories. By doing so, they inevitably get the attention they seek, but not necessarily the kind of attention they want. While some come forth in an effort to promote tolerance, acceptance and understanding in mainstream society, their decision to live as or in some cases have surgery to become - the opposite gender often sparks curiosity and more visceral reactions born out of ignorance....

Name of Book: Assassin's Gambit Author: Amy Raby ISBN: 978-0-451-41782-4 Publisher: Signet Eclipse Part of a Series: Hearts and Thrones Series Type of book: Fantasy, politics, maimed hero, strategy game, romance, adult Year it was published: 2013 Summary: Vitala Salonius, champion of the warlike game of Caturanga, is as deadly as she is beautiful. She’s a trained assassin for the resistance, and her true play is for ultimate power. Using her charm and wit, she plans to seduce her way into the emperor’s bed and deal him one final, fatal blow, sparking a battle of succession that could change the face of the empire. As the ruler of a country on the brink of war and the son of a deposed emperor, Lucien must constantly be wary of an attempt on his life. But he’s drawn to the stunning Caturanga player visiting the palace. Vitala may be able to distract him from his woes for a while—and fulfill other needs, as well. Lucien’s quick mind and considerable skills ...

Today is the beginning of a Jewish holiday named Yom Kippur. My family doesn't celebrate it, and I have never learned how to fast, but one thing about Yom Kippur is asking for forgiveness, which I am of authors and people that have mentioned my humble blog on their websites without me mentioning them in the past. I also would like to thank my readers and fans for coming over and reading my reviews, and for giving me a chance to grow and spread my wings. Thank you! Some people that I know that have mentioned my blog are: Jan Deelstra Kelli Dawn Cristiane Serruya Emma Bennet Mary Merrell Aaron Powell Jocelyn from speakingofchina.com Susan Blumberg-Kason and Rebecca Joy for mentioning me on youtube Thanks once more! I also would like to thank TLC book Tours, Sage's Book Tours and PixelPR for giving me a chance to prove myself as well as many wonderful books and authors to discover. My friends Mary who helped me open more doors than I thought would be poss...