Books Via Ashley

Notice something different? I changed the layout of the blog! What do you think? There are a few kinks I'm still trying to work out, like now the sidebar is only visible from the menu button at the top left side of the page, but I'll figure it out ;) This month I read seven books! I'm now actually four books ahead of my goal for the year. I thought that with working, etc., I wouldn't have as much time to read, but I've also learned that you have to make time to read, which I do every night. It wasn't a *great* month for books, in terms of quality. There were a few books I had high expectations for and they didn't quite meet them, though I still enjoyed them! If you need a refresher for what the various star ratings mean, then you can check out the "Ratings Guide" at the top of the blog. Reviews are coming soon! Beyond the Savanna - Maryann Martinsen (2.5 stars) Empress of a Thousand Skies - Rhoda Belleza (3 stars) Norse Gods - Neil

I recently wrote a book review for Deseret News. Huzzah! Published! Hopefully I can pick up a few more of these assignments (it's all freelance). I had to write it in a different style than I'm used to, and the editing process changed/cut some things (honestly? not for the better), but that's how it goes. Check out the review here .

When Breath Becomes Air - Paul Kalanithi Synopsis ( From Goodreads ) "At the age of thirty-six, on the verge of completing a decade’s worth of training as a neurosurgeon, Paul Kalanithi was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. One day he was a doctor making a living treating the dying, and the next he was a patient struggling to live." Review The writing is beautiful . With the same delicacy as performing an intesive surgery, Kalanithi writes his thoughts and experiences surrounding his illness. The words and prose are exquisite, made even more so by the depth of what they convey. This is one of the most poignant, beautiful, heart-wrenching things I have ever read. In the introduction, written by Abraham Verghese, one of Kalanithi's colleagues, you as the reader are invited to read Kalanithi's words as a conversation between you and him, your thoughts and feelings being your half. When I read that, I was unsure of what he meant, but in reading this short

Caraval - Stephanie Garber Synopsis ( From Goodreads ) Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over. But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner. Review I read the whole book one Sunday afternoon! The feel I got from it as was a little Alice in Wonderland-esque, with all the crazy rule-defying things and how nothing was ever as it seemed, mixed with some of the the grandeur and magic of The Night Circus (