If you liked The Twilight Zone, then read Parallel by Lauren Miller

It might have been a while since the last edition of “If you liked this, then read that” where we look at movies and TV series as a way to inspire people into reading books. Remember if you would like to participate in this segment just let me know via comment or here.

Now I have no idea how many of you know or have heard of “The Twilight Zone” this show started in 1959 exposing the everyday folk into extraordinarily scenarios, each episode would have a different twist and turn that still captivates audiences today.

And let’s not forget it did an amazing collaboration between the action that played on screen and the music that helped give and extra layer to the story and draw the spectator a bit further into each episode.

The type of feeling this science fiction show gives off in my opinion is in the same wavelength as Parallel by Lauren Miller. Parallel made me notice that this was the type of science fiction I didn’t know I was craving, I just knew that even if I liked them there was something more out there that I wanted to try, Parallel seemed to nail it and at the same time made me remember “The Twilight Zone” feeling that I got at the end of a show.

Now for those of you that don’t know what Parallel is about this is this blog’s blurb and the books info:

Publication Date: May 14, 2013

Publisher: HarperTeen

ISBN-13: 9780062199775

We’ve all wonder what “would have been” “what could have happened” but that doesn’t mean we always want to know what “could have been”.

It is try I was unhappy with my life, my life’s long plan was between my reach but one small deviation and getting closer to my dream of being a journalist I end up shooting a movie in Hollywood and on my way to stardom.

Then… the earthquake comes, and changes everything. I am no longer Abby Barnes an up and rising movie star, but Abby Barnes a girl that is trying to figure out why she is in a Yale dorm, with no memory of how I got her or why do all their memories don’t match my own.

This book is perfect for fans of this great black and white series and also for those of you that are looking for a nice stand alone to take a break from your series.

What do you think? Would you give Parallel a go? for those curious about Parallel’s full review just click here. And remember if you have any questions feel free to ask be it a series/movie to book recommendation, or anything book related, I want to hear it.

Help "If you like this, then read that"

Hi guys, I don’t know if you have seen the segment “If you like this, then read that” a place where a guest blogger or myself talk about a movie or a series that we like and use it to give you a book recommendation.

If you don’t understand what I am talking about here are some examples of this weekly segment:

If you liked Veronica Mars, then read The Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker

If youliked Downton Abbey then read The Passing Bells by Phillip Rock

If you liked Ever After: A Cinderella Story, then read Cinder by Marissa Meyer

If you like Amish: Out of Order, Then read Temptation

And as a thank you for all the lovely bloggers that take their time to share this recommendations wit you they are featured again in an interview where you can get to know them and their blogs a bit better, this segment is called “Shelf we get to know”:

Shelf We Get to Know Megan The Book Babe

Shelf We Get to Know Shaft from Shaft's Words

Shelf We Get to Know Crystal from Get Lost in Fiction

Shelf we get to know Robyn from Robyn Leanne Fairytales and Folklore

Shelf we get to know Sadaf H. from The Life and Times of Me

Shelf we get to know PammyPam from the Unconventional Librarian

Shelf we get to know Adriana Garcia from She's Got Books On Her Mind

And I would like your help to keep this two running, I try to make the guest-poster’s information well known, if he/she has a badge or banner I use it to promote his/her blog and if you click on the images or their signature you get to go to their blogs. You get to be the blog of the week here and get promoted by me and some of my tribe mates in triberr.

So if you would like to participate in this features and promote an alternative way to get people interested in books please let me know, you can either e-mail me at forgetabouttv (at) gmail (dot) com or you can use this form to let me know you are interested in participating and being featured.

Previous post of “Shelf we get to know…”

If you didn't like Twilight, then read Chicagoland Vampires or The Iron Druid Chronicles

I want something more adult

Maybe Twilight was too juvenile for you? If so then I have two books that might be of interest for you guys.

How about Chicagoland Vampires, in this series we accompany Merit a graduate student finds herself one unlucky night at the wrong side of campus where her existence if forever change.

Series: Chicagoland Vampires #1

Publication Date: April 7th, 2009

Publisher: NAL Trade

ISBN-13: 9780345522481

Now reborn as a vampire she has to put books aside when someone is still out to get her. In this series we find not only Chloe Neill’s version of what if vampires came out of the closet in Chicago but we also get to explore other the what would be of other paranormal creatures.

This series is a mix of action, politics, attraction and relationships.
Links to the reviews of Chicagoland Vampires Series:
Some Girls Bite
Friday Night Bites
Twice Bitten
Hard Bitten
Drink Deep
Bitting Cold
House Rules

If you still wish to start slow with vampires and want an adult paranormal book then I suggest The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne, this guy knows how to mix paranormal, mythology and fantasy into one great series while giving it all a modern twist.

Series: Iron Druid Chronicles

Publication date: May 3, 2011

Publisher: Del Rey 

ISBN-13: 9780345522474
This was the book that made me fall in love with Urban Fantasy (other than Harry Potter of course), this is a book that makes you have fun with all the creatures, myths and stories you thought you knew, it give a fresh hair to vampires, werewolves, witches, gods and other creatures that we might stumble upon on this fund ride that Kevin Hearne has prepared for us.

If you are going to read this book then prepare yourself for some good laughs.
Links to The Iron Druid Chronicles:
Hounded
Hexed
Hammered

If you liked Veronica Mars, then read The Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker

If you are lucky enough to have discovered the gloriousness that is the spunky, sarcastic, and lovable Veronica Mars that you know that it being canceled after three seasons was a crime. Have no fear! There's a trilogy out there that can you back a little of that Veronica Mars fix.

I don't know if it was my two day marathon quest to watch the first season of Veronica Mars but when I got to reading The Liar Society I saw the similarities popping up everywhere. To find The Liar Society Trilogy was pure luck so this is for all of those fans out there who's missing their favorite person.

In The Liar Society Kate's best friend died a year ago in an accidental fire but Kate's not so sure about that "accident" part. Then poof! She gets an e-mail by said dead best friend saying that she is indeed alive and she needs her help.

This Girl's Got Some Spunk!

Kate's attitude changes completely after the death of her best friend. She's seen as an outcast and the enemy by everyone including her former friend Maddie. She's tired of feeling different in her classmates and parent's eyes. She decides to do something radical to change her look and feel like she's more of herself but a new version too so she dies her hair pink. It's a little more of a change than Veronica's change from her goody-two-shoes look to her sassy-come-at-me look but you get the point. Not only does Kate's look change but her personality changes too. Gone is the naive, innocent girl and in comes that snarky, gutsy new Kate ready to take on her dead? best friend's mystery.

"I can't help it - God made me fabulous"

Speaking of dead best friend's while reading the book and figuring out the characters you discover what type of person Kate's best friend, Grace, is. She was the center of the world for Kate and her former friend Maddie. Grace was a loud, carefree, very flirtatious girl with a bad boy boyfriend. Sound familiar? She was wild which made her a wonder in the eyes of her more conservative friends. They followed her around. She encompassed such a large part of their lives that when she was gone they both couldn't handle it. Maddie went to seek other friend's to follow around and Kate was cast aside feeling the pain of her best friend's death every day. She cannot get over it like her parents want her to. No, she goes the Veronica Mars way and starts snooping an investigating her friend's disappearance. That quote above by the way was said by Veronica's best friend Lily. 

Anything for a Good Mystery

Yes, there is a loner boy that Kate starts "befriending" but no unfortunately he's not the Logan we all wish for. There is still a great mystery filled with its own conspiracies and even secret societies. Kate does have a best friend who works in the school's office. Seth gets her some files when she needs them but not just because of his loyalty to her like our Wallace but because he's undeniably in love with her. With his mouth always filled with food that unfortunately is visible at times and his goofy behavior I don't think we will be seeing heart pounding moments between him and Kate any time soon. More than anything you will see a mystery that twists and turns which will have you biting your nails in anticipation throughout. Crazy things happen to Kate all the time. Usually nothing goes right for her but she will forever seek out justice for her friend and bring down everyone and anyone who opposes her. And that is why ladies and gentlemen I love this trilogy and recommend it highly to all those who know and love Veronica Mars. It may not be exactly the same but the Liar Society's similarities and its own mystery provide a perfect escape into the investigative world filled with lies, secrets, and a girl determined to find out the truth.

Adriana Garcia @ She's Got Books On Her Mind

If you liked Downton Abbey then read The Passing Bells by Phillip Rock

If you’re like me and you love all things Downton Abbey, I have a series that you might enjoy.  The series is a trilogy by Phillip Rock: The Passing Bells, Circles of Time, and A Future Arrived.  Now let me warn you, there aren’t the quick steps and turns and emotional pleadings that you’ll find in Downton Abbey. To be sure, there is no Free Bates campaign and no dastardly duo like O’Brien and Thomas, but you will find a somewhat epic piece that lets you get to know your favorite characters thoroughly, which I love.  Rock takes his time, but not too long, in developing the mannerisms and flaws of these characters so that you feel like you could point them out on the street. That is, if you were living in London in 1918.  And of course, you were granted an invitation to Abingdon Pryory, which is the home of the very wealthy country Lord Greville.

While you’re reading about the lavish parties and tasting the sumptuous kidney pies at Abingdon Pryory, you’ll sit in on discussions from spoiled debutants and bored school boys to whether or not war will break out soon and what will become of our lovely and wealthy characters. 

War does come and in the remaining books you’ll discover how this family copes with the changes brought by war and the wearing down of the social classes, much to the dismay of Lord Greville (quite similarly, in fact to Downton Abbey).  While I’m still pushing the button waiting for Carson to bring my breakfast tray to my bedroom, I’m really glad that WWII is not approaching, but I do wish that people dressed as well today as they did back in the day; nothing wrong with dressing for dinner, is there? Where’s my coronet? I’d better ring for my ladies’ maid.  

By PammyPam @ Unconventional Librarian

If you didn't like Twilight, then read The Scarlet Dagger by Krystle Jones

So this is the second eidtion of If you didn’t like the Twilight movies, I hope this really helps those of you that maybe because of this movie or maybe another reason got turned off from vampires, to the Twilight fans I mean no disrespect and if at some point what I wrote became offensive let me know in a respectful way, I’ve re-read this post and saw nothing that might offend you guys. Now then shall we take a lookf at reason number two?

I like my girl with spunk and a fight to give

Ok so Bella lost a lot of points in book two went she went into not only depression but also into self-destruction mode to be able to hear Edwards voice. If you want a heroine that is in some way related to vampires that can kick some butt, stay strong no matter what life throws at her and at the end of the day have a little romance on the side then I think ladies and gents I have the thing for you.

Series: The Red Sector Chronicles #1

Publication Date: October 23, 2011

ASIN: B005z26DWM

I think you will like the The Red Sector Chronicles where in The Scarlet Dagger we meet Sloane who is trying to make sense of what the world has become and the people they have lost. Sloane still believes her brother is alive even after the night vampires started slaughtering people where he disappeared.

Now Sloane will leave the safety of the city to explore the Red Sector in hopes of finding her lost twin brother, what she finds will not only defy her wildest dreams but also shake everything she thought she knew about her world.

In this book you will find action, romance a strong heroine, nice and evil vampires and a would that could turn dystopian right before your eyes.

Now the heroines in last edition of "If you didn't like Twilight" also fit this mold so if you want to take a look just click on the pretty little link right here.

If you liked Smallville, then read Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Do you enjoy Smallville?

Then give Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout a try!

Like sexy aliens? Romantic tension? A forbidden romance that makes you just want to grab the two of them and yell, “Why can’t those two just work things out?!” Then Obsidian could just be the thing to give a try. One of the most addicting things about Smallville (mostly a fan of the earlier seasons!) was that tension between Clark and Lana, and the way that Clark was slowly finding out more about his world and what his place in it would all while falling more and more for Lana, and trying to find a way for it to work between them.

The Lux series has gotten lots of press, especially from book blogs, but it’s important to note that in this case – it’s not a simple case of hype. Obsidian and the Lux series truly deserve the praise they get.

Series: Lux #1

Publication Date: May 8th, 2012

Publisher: Entangled Teen

ISBN-13: 9781620610077

In Obsidian, Katy is the new girl in town, and she soon realizes that there is something otherworldly about her neighbors. The interactions that follow between Dee and Daemon Black, her new aliens-next-door are hilarious and completely addicting. I’ve raved about this series over and over, but this is just one of those that you’ve got to experience for yourself!

Helen @ The Fiction Conniption

If you didn't like Twilight, then read The Hallowed Ones or Morganvill Vampires

Ok twilight fans no offense but there is no such thing as something universally liked and Twilight is now exception, I do not intend to offend any of you so please don’t take it that way.

We all have different tastes and reasons why we like or dislike something, so I will be diving this one into 3 parts where you can find a couple of recommendations based on reasons why people didn’t like it, this 3 parts will be found in three different posts (if it all goes well).

Vampires where too good, they should not sparkle

If you think this is true then maybe you are looking for more evil? If you are looking for vampires that are evil to the core with no real sense other than to kill with a dash of mystery and some horror maybe you should look at “The Hollow Ones” by Laura Bickle.

Series: The Hallowed Ones #1

Publication Date: September 25, 2012

Publisher: HMH Graphia (Harper Collins)

ISBN-13: 9780547859262

Synospsis

Her dreams of Rumspringa where now gone, the outside world was no more, gone with it where her dreams of long afternoons enjoying a Coke and going to the movies. 

Katie has always been a rebel among the Amish, the elders pay her extra attention. You would think that when the world outside turn deadly that she would obey the elders and not question their decision, but when a life is at stake she will risk everything and everyone to do what is right.

After rescuing Alex a 24 year old Canadian she discovers more about what happened in the outside, if Alex is to be believed the outside world is falling in the hands of vampires and not the shiny ones, no this ruthless creatures have a blood lust and an evil inside of them that the destruction they havoc comes from beyond your gory imagination. 

 Full Review

If you are looking for vampires that aren’t always good but know they are powerful enough to run an unknown town in Texas where humans live in fear and college students are the daily special you might want to take a look into the Morganville Vampire series by Rachel Caine.

Series: Morganville Vampires #1

Publication Date: October 03, 2006

Publisher: NAL Jam (Penguin)

ISBN-13: 9780451219947

Synospsis

Claire wanted to take her college experience as far away from her parents as possible, which is part of the Morganville university appeal.

Once she arrives to Morganville, Texas she discovers that college can be more about surviving then studying. Her eyes are wide open when she decides to run from the college dorms to escape an awful schoolmate that borderlines pshyco, only to see that she is the least of her problems.

Full review soon to come, 

I must ask for the first 2 books in the series back.

If you would like to participate on “If you liked this, then read that” please let me know, you can do it either via e-mail, by this form or a DM on twitter.

If you liked Rebecca Movie or TV Series, then read Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier

I was first introduced to Daphne DuMaurier's "Rebecca" through my monthly book club (not too long ago). I fell in love with it instantly because it was unlike any book I've ever read. Before I started going to book club(s), I mostly stuck to my favorite genres; fantasy, science fiction, romance and fiction. However, book club has broadened my horizons and opened me up to a whole new world of books. Although we've read some stinkers, we've discovered some lovely hidden gems, "Rebecca" being one of many.

This classic novel has been adapted into three movie versions. The first was a 1940's Alfred Hitchcock adaptation, then came a 1970's four part miniseries and finally a made-for-TV film in 1997. I had the opportunity to watch the 1997 version starring Emilia Fox. Although a beautifully crafted film (in its own right), watching the story on screen was not nearly as enjoyable as reading the book. Being a foodie, one of my favorite parts in the book was reading the meal descriptions. Anytime Mr. and Mrs. DeWinter sat down for a meal or afternoon tea, I could almost smell the aroma of what they were eating. The movie was unable to capture these magical moments the way my imagination did.

When we first meet (the second) Mrs. DuWinter, she is young, meek and quite naive. As the story progresses, you see her slowly transitioning into a strong assertive woman. It is not until close to the end of the story, you see that she has matured and gained some self-confidence. However, the movie did not portray her in such a way. She is strong, independent and inquisitive right from the beginning. The beauty of the novel was reading about her coming of age into womanhood, and this transition is nowhere to be seen on screen.

One of the reasons I did not like the movie was because I loved the book so much. Subconsciously, I had high expectations for the movie and was disappointed by what I saw. Nevertheless, I would highly recommend the novel "Rebecca" to anyone who loves reading, (especially women). The unnamed heroine in "Rebecca" starts off as shy and quiet, but grows into a fine woman as the story moves forward. From some of the modern day books I have read, it is evident that today's literary female "role models" have started to go downhill. I can see fans of Jane Austen really enjoying this book. The book has a very traditional setting, but it's easy to get lost in the story. Even though it is old fashioned, it's very enjoyable and does a good job of celebrating womanhood. Once you put it down, you will have a hard time not feeling proud and blessed about being a woman.

Bloggers Wanted

Hi guys!!! I guess you have seen that this blog has two special features where guest bloggers post on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These posts are known as “If you liked this, then read that” and “Shelf we get to know…”

The dynamic for “If you liked this, then read that” is to do a book recommendation based on a TV series or a Movie (from the big or small screen, it doesn’t matter) so that people that aren’t normally interested in reading may get a chance to shake things up a little with a book.

Rules for “If you liked this, then read that”

·         No spoilers

·     Please tell the readers why you think they will like/hate this book compared to their visual counterpart.

·         Give the book info:

o   ISBN-13

o   Genre

o   Is it part of a series??

o   When it came out

o    Who published it

·         No cursing

·         No erotica books

·         Be respectful with the comments your post receives, all disrespectful comments are deleted.

·         Send your guest post a week ahead or say you cannot do it.

·         Have fun with it!

Previous Guest on “If you liked this, then read that”

The other guest blogger feature is “Shelf we get to know…” a space where we can get to know the blogger behind the book recommendation. A spot where you and your blog will be featured in the form an interview so people can get to know you both a little better.

If you would like to participate or would like more information please let me know by filling the form below.

Previous post of “Shelf we get to know…”

If you liked Ever After: A Cinderella Story, then read Cinder by Marissa Meyer

There is just this weird appeal to retellings, maybe it is the comfort of knowing what is going to happen, the possibility of re-exploring a world we think we know, the pleasure of spending more time with characters we like or the idea of seeing the story we loved through someone else's eyes.

A good retelling goes beyond a guilty pleasure, especially if we get to enjoy strong heroines, breaking the cycle of the "damsel in distress" they might need help but they will not wait for their beloved prince to come to the rescue and if need be they will get their hands dirty.

That is the thing that I love about both "Ever After" and "Cinder" our heroines are strong, they might find themselves in situations slightly or completely different then the Grimm brothers stories or the Disney version but they will fight but they will also try to make smart decisions based on the information they know and even if who they are doesn't fit the society's mold they will not change how they are just to please others.

Title: Ever After: A Cinderella Story

Director: Andy Tennants

Stars: Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston, Dougray Scott, and Patrick Godfrey.

Release Date: July 29, 1998

Before her father died both Daniel and him where happy, they missed Daniel's mother but they had one another.

One day Daniel's father Auguste decides that the best thing he can do for his daughter is to give her a mother to give his dearest tomboy in the right direction.

Sadly after Auguste's death Daniel is demoted into a servant working all day and falling asleep by the chimney while she tries to read the books her father left behind, even if that means waking up covered in cinders.

A faithful encounter with prince Henry start a series of events turn Daniel's life upside down and into a future she would have never dared to imagine.

Title: Cinder

Series: The Lunar Chronicles #1

Author: Marissa Meyer

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan)

Release Date: January 3, 2012

In New Beijing leaves a girl named Cinder, a girl who turns out to be the city’s best mechanic. Even if she is the best she is nothing more than a second class citizen a fact her stepmother never lets her forget, she will never let her forget that she isn’t 100% a girl nor the fact that she owns her.

Cinder’s world starts to shift the day that Prince Kai asks her to fix her robot and her dearest stepsister gets sick with the plague that has reached pandemic levels and no cure is known.

One thing leads to another and Cinder ends up in the middle of an intergalactic struggle between Earth and the lunar Queen Levana, Cinder will have to have faith and do what she can to save those that never spared her a second glance.

If you would like to participate in a segment of "If you liked this, then read that" please let me know in Contact Me section.