The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks

Ok so I really wanted to like this book, I mean I really wanted to but I just didn't. I kept reading because I wanted to believe that they would eventually gain powers that would help them get out of the predicament they seem to find themselves in but that was not the case. Vampires that are sick all of time and have to attend a weekly meeting to talk about their feelings is not something that appealed to me but I gave this book a chance. My co-worker referred this story to me by telling me that it was full of laughs but I am still waiting to even have a chuckle. With each passing chapter I expected to laugh out loud and see these vampires gain strength but to no avail. I know this is supposed to be the anti-twilight story line but I thought the whole point of getting infected by a vampire bite and living forever is to gain a special power. I did like the introduction of the werewolf but after awhile his story line seemed pointless because there wasn't a chance for this character to develop while running away from bad guys. I don't really understand why the bad guys had to be turned into vampires at the end as well but I guess I was holding out for super powers that never manifested. I guess if reading about vampires who have to take medicine and drink guinea pigs blood with a small love story that happens in the last few chapters is you thing, then go for it, but this book just wasn't for me.

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Darker by E.L. James

So I must admit that when I read this book, I realized that I had completely forgot everything that had happened in the original trilogy. I spent over have of the book trying to go back in time and opening the files in my brain in order to figure out which scene fits where in the original novel. I was about halfway through this novel when I realized that I had no clue what was going on so I gave up and just decided to enjoy the novel as it was written. I must say that I am enjoying this trilogy from Christian's point of view because I don't have to hear the constant interruption from Ana's inner goddess. In my humble opinion, I believe the author writing has gotten better which each new book she is publishing. Granted I people are probably tired of this author writing about the same thing raking in more money for a story line that has overstayed its welcome; but I actually like the story and reading it from Christian's point of view has been a breath of fresh air to this series. Now if only Stephanie Meyer can go back and finish writing Midnight Sun from Edward's point of view so I can figure out how he developed his powers I would be a happy woman. I look forward to the last book coming out in this series and I will definitely be reading it.

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Basketball Jones by E. Lynn Harris

This was my first novel by E. Lynn Harris and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the drama that unfolded. I have heard about Mr. Harris most of my life but I never thought to pick up one of his books because everybody my age was into Sister Souljah and her break out novel. Glancing through the stacks at the library, I ran across this book and I decided to give it a try and was pleasantly surprised. I did not expect this book to be about a homosexual relationship and after reading some synopsis from his other novels I realized that most of his novels were apart of the LGBT community. This story has all of the drama most urban books have that included the lead character being involved in a secret relationship with a pro NBA player, who is trying to maintain his heterosexual relationship for the public eye, while getting blackmailed by his best friend. This book had so many twist and turns that I didn't mind already figuring out the ending because I enjoyed reading the drama all the way to the end. I will definitely pick up another novel by this author just to get another laugh or two. 

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The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish

This autobiography by Tiffany Haddish was interesting and totally not what I expected when learning about her life and how she grew up in California. All of the things she talked about were completely different from the stereotypes she portrays on camera and for the media. A few periods in her life that I had no clue of knowing was the fact that she is Jewish and she hosted bar mitzvah parties or that her father was from Africa, even her being homeless was somethings that I would have never considered when looking at her on the screen. I laughed during a few parts of the autobiography but mostly I felt remorseful because the events that happen in her life could have been prevented. Her mother struggle with mental illness was a serious case and if family or friends could have intervene sooner and gotten her some more help, maybe things could have been different. I thought this was a good audio book to listen to while driving back and forth to class and I would recommend this autobiography to die hard Tiffany Haddish fans. *Spoiler* I hope she is able to acquire the land that was left to her by her father in Africa.

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Baby You're the Best by Mary B. Morrison

Mary B. Morrison became my favorite author when I was seventeen years old. I went to Wal-Mart one day and while browsing the books I stumbled up the third book in her Soulmate Dissipate series, read the poem that was in the front and fell in love on the spot. I went home that night and read it from cover to cover turned around and re-read the whole thing again just because it was that good. Well this post isn't about that book but I will talk about the book pictured above Baby, You're the Best. Recently since I have been picking up Ms. Morrison's books they haven't been catching my attention. This book in particular I did not connect with any of the characters or really understood the plot line either. This particular book felt like all of the things she wanted to say in the one book she co-authored with Carl Weber stretched out over a three book series. This book was a fast read and I enjoyed all of the drama that unfolded throughout; plus I will probably finish the series just because I want to know what happens to the Crystal girls and it's really hard to give up my favorite author.

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Diamonds and Pearl by K'wan

This will be my first introduction to K'wan's books and man it was a doozy. This book had so many twist and turns it was hard for me to decipher what was going to happen next. Now I did take quite alot of time (I mean ALOT of time) to read this book because with each new chapter brought a new character, each more developed than the last one. This story brought everything from witchcraft & voodoo to gansters & drug dealers taking over the city, all while incorporating a love story in between. Each character had there own story line which made the book really long but I enjoyed getting to know and making a connection with each one. There was action through out the whole novel but the climatic end left me wanting more. I wished I had set aside more time to read this book more quickly but I'm glad that I finished it and I will definitely be reading part two in the near future.

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Young and Hungry by Michel Moore

Young and Hungry had an interesting concept but honestly this took me way to long to read. I found myself getting into the first few chapters but as I kept reading, my attention was dwindling. Based in Detroit, the story line was centered on what if the entire city was without power or emergency services for 48 hours. I understand the concept but it felt like a book version of the movie called The Purge. The characters were not as developed as I would have liked them to be and the story seemed to jump all over the place. This book ended up having an unexpected ending but I would not recommend it as a must read to anybody literacy list but if you are into this type of urban fiction to each is own.

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